Parliament of India

The Parliament of India consists of three parts: the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

Rajya Sabha (Upper House):

• Maximum Strength: 250 (238 elected from States/UTs + 12 nominated by President from fields of art, literature, science, or social service).
• Current Strength: 245 (225 from States + 8 from UTs + 12 nominated).
• Allocation of seats is governed by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution on the basis of population.

Lok Sabha (Lower House):

• Maximum Strength: 550 (530 from States + 20 from UTs). Earlier 2 Anglo-Indians were nominated, but this provision was abolished by the 104th Amendment Act, 2019.
• Current Strength: 543 members directly elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise (voting age reduced from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment Act, 1988).

Rajya Sabha: It is a continuing chamber (permanent body) and not subject to dissolution. One-third of its members retire every second year. Term of an individual member is 6 years (prescribed by Representation of the People Act, 1951, not the Constitution).

Lok Sabha: Its normal term is 5 years from the date of its first meeting. The President can dissolve it earlier. Its term can be extended during a National Emergency for one year at a time.

Qualifications for Membership:

• Must be a citizen of India.
• Age: Minimum 30 years for Rajya Sabha and 25 years for Lok Sabha.
• Must be registered as a parliamentary elector for any constituency.

Disqualifications (Anti-Defection Law): Under the Tenth Schedule (added by 52nd Amendment, 1985), a member is disqualified if he voluntarily gives up party membership or votes against party directions (whip). The decision lies with the Chairman/Speaker, and is subject to judicial review.

Speaker of Lok Sabha: Elected by Lok Sabha from among its members. Functions:

• Maintains order and decorum.
• His decision in all Parliamentary matters is final.
• He presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses.
• He decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, and his decision is final.
• He does not vote in the first instance, but exercises a casting vote in case of a tie.

Chairman of Rajya Sabha: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman. Unlike the Speaker, he is not a member of the House. He also has a casting vote only.

1. Ordinary Bills: Can be introduced in either House. Require a simple majority. In case of a deadlock, President can summon a joint sitting.
2. Money Bills (Article 110): Contain provisions related exclusively to taxation, borrowing, consolidated fund, etc. Can be introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha, with the prior recommendation of the President. Rajya Sabha has restricted powers: it cannot amend or reject a Money Bill, and must return it within 14 days.
3. Financial Bills (Articles 117): Contain financial matters but also other non-financial matters. They also must be introduced only in Lok Sabha on the President's recommendation, but thereafter follow the procedure of an ordinary bill.
4. Constitution Amendment Bills (Article 368): Can be introduced in either House. Must be passed by each House separately by a special majority. No provision for a joint sitting in case of disagreement.

• Question Hour: The first hour of every parliamentary sitting. Members ask questions (Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice) and ministers answer.
• Zero Hour: Immediately follows the Question Hour. Members raise matters of public importance without any prior notice. (An Indian innovation).
• Adjournment Motion: Introduced in Lok Sabha to draw attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance. Needs support of 50 members.
• No-Confidence Motion (Article 75): Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Needs support of 50 members to be admitted. If passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign. (There is no concept of a No-Confidence Motion in Rajya Sabha).