4.1 Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – Composition and Powers



SIMPLY SMART

Introduction

The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative authority of the Union Government.
According to Article 79, Parliament consists of:

  1. The President of India

  2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

  3. Lok Sabha (House of the People)

The Parliament makes laws, controls finances, and supervises the executive.

1. Lok Sabha: Composition

(Articles 81–83)

  1. Maximum strength: 552 members

    • 530 from states

    • 20 from Union Territories

    • 2 nominated (Anglo-Indian) – Abolished by 104th Constitutional Amendment

  2. Present strength: 543 elected members

  3. Members are elected directly by the people (First-Past-The-Post system).

  4. Term: 5 years (may be dissolved earlier).

  5. Speaker is the presiding officer (Article 93).

Reference: D.D. Basu, Laxmikanth (Lok Sabha Chapter), Indian Constitution Articles 81–83.

2. Lok Sabha: Powers

1. Legislative Powers

  1. Makes laws on Union and Concurrent Lists.

  2. In joint sitting (Article 108), Lok Sabha has the final say.

  3. Can introduce any bill.

2. Financial Powers (Articles 109–110)

  1. Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.

  2. Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes (within 14 days).

  3. Lok Sabha controls the Union Budget.

  4. Government survives only with Lok Sabha’s confidence.

3. Control Over Executive (Article 75)

  1. Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.

  2. Can remove government by No-confidence motion.

  3. Questions, debates, motions keep the executive accountable.

4. Electoral Powers

  1. Participates in electing the President (Article 54).

  2. Participates in electing the Vice President (Article 66).

5. Constitutional Powers

  1. Approves constitutional amendments (Article 368).

  2. Approves emergency proclamations (Articles 352, 356, 360).

Reference: Laxmikanth, Subhash Kashyap (Parliament), Constitutional Articles.

3. Rajya Sabha: Composition

(Articles 80–84)

  1. Maximum strength: 250 members

    • 238 elected by State and UT Legislative Assemblies

    • 12 nominated by President (from arts, literature, science, social service)

  2. Present strength: 245 members

  3. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house (cannot be dissolved).

  4. 1/3rd members retire every 2 years.

  5. Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman (Article 89).

Reference: Constitution Article 80, Basu, Laxmikanth.

4. Rajya Sabha: Powers

1. Legislative Powers

  1. Can introduce all bills except Money Bills.

  2. Equal powers with Lok Sabha on ordinary bills.

  3. Joint sitting is possible only for ordinary bills.

2. Financial Powers

  1. Cannot introduce Money Bills.

  2. Cannot reject a Money Bill; can only recommend changes.

3. Special Powers (Exclusive to Rajya Sabha)

(Articles 249, 312)

  1. Article 249: Can authorise Parliament to make laws on State List subjects.

  2. Article 312: Can create All India Services like IAS, IPS, IFS.

  3. Can approve proclamation of Emergency.

4. Federal Powers

  1. Represents the states of India at the Union level.

  2. Maintains federal balance between Centre and States.

5. Electoral and Constitutional Powers

  1. Participates in electing Vice President.

  2. Participates in constitutional amendments.

Reference: Articles 80–89, 249, 312; Indian Polity by Laxmikanth.

5. Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha 





Conclusion

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha together form the backbone of India’s parliamentary democracy.
Lok Sabha represents the people, while Rajya Sabha represents the states.
Both Houses work to make laws, control the executive, and protect constitutional values.
Based on the Constitution and reference books (Basu, Laxmikanth, Kashyap), their combined functioning ensures democracy, federalism, and balanced governance in India.




For Full Chapter  --->  22IMC7Z2 CONSTITUTION OF INDIA Unit-wise



— End of Article | Aivette-COI (Constitution of India by Aivette)

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