Introduction
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the country. It functions under a bicameral system, consisting of the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). Articles 79 to 122 of the Indian Constitution define its structure, powers, and functioning. Understanding these provisions is crucial for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PCS.
Composition of Parliament (Article 79-80)
- Article 79: The Parliament consists of the President, Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha.
- Article 80: The Rajya Sabha (Upper House) has a maximum strength of 250 members (currently 245).
- Elected Members: 238 are elected by State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories.
- Nominated Members: 12 members are nominated by the President from fields like literature, science, arts, and social service.
- Article 81: The Lok Sabha (Lower House) can have a maximum of 552 members (currently 543).
- Elected Members: 530 are elected from States, 13 from Union Territories.
- Nominated Members: 2 from the Anglo-Indian Community (this provision was removed by the 104th Constitutional Amendment, 2019).
Rajya Sabha: The Council of States
- Permanent House: It is a continuing chamber and cannot be dissolved.
- Tenure of Members: 6 years, with one-third of its members retiring every 2 years.
- Vice President of India: Acts as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
- Deputy Chairman: Elected by Rajya Sabha members.
Lok Sabha: The House of the People
- Tenure: 5 years (can be dissolved earlier by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister).
- Speaker: Presides over Lok Sabha proceedings and is elected by its members.
- Deputy Speaker: Acts as the presiding officer in the Speaker’s absence.
Powers and Functions of the Parliament
1. Legislative Powers
- Can make laws on subjects in the Union List and, in some cases, the Concurrent List.
- In extraordinary situations, it can also make laws on State List subjects (Article 249).
2. Financial Powers
- The Annual Budget (Union Budget) is passed by the Parliament.
- Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (Article 110).
3. Executive Powers
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75).
- The Parliament controls the Executive through debates, questions, and motions.
4. Amendment Powers
- Parliament amends the Constitution under Article 368.
5. Judicial Powers
- Impeachment of the President (Article 61).
- Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
Sessions of Parliament (Article 85)
- Summoned by the President at least twice a year, with a gap of no more than 6 months between sessions.
- Three Sessions:
- Budget Session (February-May)
- Monsoon Session (July-September)
- Winter Session (November-December)
Bills in Parliament
1. Ordinary Bill (Article 107-108)
- Can be introduced in either house.
- Requires simple majority to pass.
- Needs approval from both houses and the President.
2. Money Bill (Article 110)
- Deals with taxes, borrowing, or expenditures.
- Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with the President’s recommendation.
- Rajya Sabha cannot amend a Money Bill; it can only suggest changes.
3. Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368)
- Amends provisions of the Constitution.
- Requires special majority to pass.
Important Parliamentary Procedures
1. Question Hour
- Members ask questions to ministers regarding government policies and decisions.
2. Zero Hour
- Unscheduled discussions on important issues.
3. Motion of No Confidence
- If passed in Lok Sabha, the government must resign.
4. Adjournment Motion
- Used to discuss urgent public issues.
5. Joint Sitting (Article 108)
- If there is a deadlock over a bill, the President summons a Joint Sitting of both houses.
- Presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Dissolution of Lok Sabha (Article 83)
- The President dissolves Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Rajya Sabha is not dissolved; it is a permanent body.
MCQs on Indian Parliament
1. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
A) Speaker of Lok Sabha
B) President of India
C) Vice President of India
D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: C) Vice President of India
2. How many nominated members are there in the Rajya Sabha?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 15
D) 20
Answer: B) 12
3. Which Article of the Indian Constitution defines the Parliament?
A) Article 72
B) Article 79
C) Article 85
D) Article 90
Answer: B) Article 79
4. A Money Bill can be introduced in which house?
A) Only Rajya Sabha
B) Only Lok Sabha
C) Either House
D) Supreme Court
Answer: B) Only Lok Sabha
5. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?
A) 545
B) 552
C) 560
D) 540
Answer: B) 552
6. What is the tenure of a Rajya Sabha member?
A) 4 years
B) 5 years
C) 6 years
D) 7 years
Answer: C) 6 years
7. How many sessions of Parliament are held in a year?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: B) 3
8. What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 9 months
D) 12 months
Answer: B) 6 months
9. Who presides over the Joint Sitting of Parliament?
A) President
B) Vice President
C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
D) Prime Minister
Answer: C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
10. Under which Article can Parliament amend the Constitution?
A) Article 110
B) Article 121
C) Article 368
D) Article 377
Answer: C) Article 368
Conclusion
The Indian Parliament is the backbone of the country’s democratic system. It plays a vital role in law-making, governance, and upholding the Constitution. Understanding its structure and functioning is essential for aspirants preparing for competitive exams.
✅ Tip for Exams: Focus on Articles 79-122, powers of Parliament, types of bills, and parliamentary procedures.
Do you have any doubts? Ask in the comments! 🚀