🏛️ The Union Parliament — Full Breakdown

1) What is Parliament — Basic Understanding

India has a bicameral legislature — meaning Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House). Technically, "Parliament" means President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha. But usually when we say "Parliament", we are referring to both houses.

Why two houses? Federal countries usually have an upper house to represent the states. In India, Lok Sabha represents the people, while Rajya Sabha represents the states. Rajya Sabha acts as a "revisory chamber" — it reviews Lok Sabha's bills to prevent rash decisions.

2) Lok Sabha — House of the People

Composition (How Many Members?)

Maximum strength: 552 — as stated in the Constitution (Article 81). Breakdown:

• 530 members: Directly elected by people from state constituencies
• 20 members: From Union Territories (UTs)
• 2 members: Anglo-Indian community — nominated by President (if he feels the community is not adequately represented). Note: The 104th Amendment Act (2020) removed this provision, but it is still taught in the ICSE syllabus. Check your latest textbook.

Current strength: Around 543 (based on delimitation). It's not always exactly 552 — constitution says "max 552" which is the upper limit, not the fixed number.

Representation ratio: Each MP represents roughly the same number of people. Seats are allocated state-wise based on population (1971 census data used for seat distribution).

Term (How Many Years?)

• Normal term: 5 years — from the date of its first sitting
• Can be dissolved earlier: President can dissolve Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister (President can't do it on his own)
• Extension during Emergency: 5-year term can be extended by one year at a time during a National Emergency (Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352). Extension is granted in chunks of one year at a time. Elections must be held within 6 months of the end of the Emergency.

Qualifications — To Become a Lok Sabha Member

1. Citizen of India
2. Age: At least 25 years
3. Name must be in the electoral roll (voter list) of any constituency in India
4. Should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India (mixing govt job + lawmaking = conflict of interest)
5. Should not be of unsound mind or declared bankrupt by a court
6. Should not be convicted for certain crimes

Speaker of Lok Sabha

Speaker is the presiding officer of Lok Sabha. He/she is elected by the members of Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Speaker is the most important authority in the House — his/her word is final.

Powers and Functions:

• Presides over sessions: Maintains order and decorum in the House
• Decides who gets to speak: Allocates time to members for discussion
• Decides if a bill is a Money Bill: His decision is final, cannot be challenged in court. Related to Article 110 — this is the most important power.
• Casting vote: In case of a tie (equal votes for and against), Speaker gets to vote to break the deadlock
• Disqualifies members: On the recommendation of the President, Speaker decides disqualification under the anti-defection law (10th Schedule)
• Joint session: When both houses sit together to resolve a deadlock, Speaker presides over the joint sitting
• He is the channel of communication between the President and the House

Important Points about the Speaker:

• Speaker remains a member of the House (unlike Chairman of Rajya Sabha who is NOT a member)
• Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by majority of LS members — but needs 14 days' advance notice
• After LS dissolution, Speaker continues till the new Speaker is elected (so that the office is never vacant)
• Deputy Speaker is also elected — performs Speaker's duties when Speaker is absent
• Pro-tem Speaker: When new LS is formed, before the regular Speaker is elected, the President appoints a pro-tem Speaker (usually the senior-most member) to administer the oath to new members

3) Rajya Sabha — Council of States

Composition

Maximum strength: 250 (Article 80). Breakdown:

• 238 members: Elected by Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas) of states and UTs. Indirect election — people do not vote directly, MLAs do.
• 12 members: Nominated by the President — from fields of literature, science, art, and social service. These are experts who might not contest elections but contribute valuable knowledge.

Qualifications — To Become a Rajya Sabha Member

1. Citizen of India
2. Age: At least 30 years
3. Name must be in electoral roll of any constituency in India
4. Same disqualifications as Lok Sabha (no office of profit, not of unsound mind, etc.)

Chairman of Rajya Sabha

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He is NOT elected from among RS members — he gets this post automatically because he's the Vice President.

Key Points:

• Chairman is not a member of Rajya Sabha (he presides, but can't vote normally)
• Gets casting vote only in case of a tie
• Deputy Chairman is elected by RS members from among themselves — he is a member of RS
• Chairman can resign by writing to the President
• Chairman can be removed by a resolution passed by Rajya Sabha with absolute majority, agreed to by Lok Sabha — needs 14 days' notice
• If Chairman acts as President (when President is unavailable), he cannot preside over RS and doesn't get any salary as Chairman

4) Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha — ICSE's Favourite Table

5) Powers and Functions of Parliament

Parliament has 6 major powers. Each one is important. Memorise them with the headings — ICSE may ask for the headings.

A) Legislative Powers (Law Making)

• Parliament makes laws on subjects in the Union List (97 subjects — exclusive domain of Parliament)
• Can make laws on Concurrent List (47 subjects — both Parliament and State Legislature can, Parliament's law prevails in case of conflict)
• State List: Normally States make laws on State List subjects. BUT in special circumstances Parliament can also legislate:
  • When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3rd majority
  • During President's Rule (Article 356)
  • For implementing international treaties
  • When two or more states request
• Residuary Powers: Any subject not in Union, State, or Concurrent lists — Parliament alone has power to legislate
• Ordinance: When Parliament is not in session, President can issue an Ordinance under Article 123, which has the same force as a law. But it must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly.

B) Financial Powers (Purse Strings)

• Budget: The annual financial statement is presented in Parliament (only in Lok Sabha first)
• No tax without Parliament's approval: Government cannot impose or collect any tax without parliamentary sanction
• Consolidated Fund: All government revenue goes into this fund. No money can be withdrawn without parliamentary approval (Appropriation Bill)
• Cut Motions: MPs can move cut motions to reduce grants demanded by the government
• Parliamentary control through Standing Committees and Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
• Money Bill (Article 110): Only in Lok Sabha — RS can delay max 14 days

C) Control Over Executive (Checking the Government)

This is the most important democratic function of Parliament. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75).

• Question Hour: First hour of every sitting — ministers answer questions from MPs
• Zero Hour: Matters of urgent public importance raised without prior notice
• No-Confidence Motion (Article 75): If passed in Lok Sabha, entire Council of Ministers must resign. Only in LS. Needs support of 50 members to even be moved.
• Adjournment Motion: To discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance — if passed, House adjourns normal business to discuss the issue
• Censure Motion: Against a specific minister or government for a specific failure — doesn't require resignation if passed, but politically significant
• Cut Motions: Reduce grants — a way to express disapproval of government spending
• Calling Attention Motion: MP draws government's attention to an urgent matter

D) Judicial Powers (Court-like Functions)

• Impeachment of President (Article 61): Either house can initiate. Needs 14 days' notice, 2/3rd majority of total membership to pass. President can be removed for "violation of the Constitution."
• Removal of Vice President: Resolution in RS (absolute majority) + agreed by LS (simple majority)
• Removal of Judges: Supreme Court and High Court judges can be removed by Parliament through address to President for "proved misbehaviour or incapacity." Needs special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3rd of members present and voting) in both houses.
• Can punish members or outsiders for contempt of Parliament

E) Electoral Powers

• Elected members of both houses + state Vidhan Sabhas elect the President (single transferable vote, proportional representation)
• Members of both houses elect the Vice President
• Lok Sabha elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker
• Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman

F) Constituent / Amendment Powers

• Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368
• Three types of amendments:
  • Simple majority: Like changing state name, creating new states
  • Special majority: Majority of total membership + 2/3rd of present and voting. Most amendments need this.
  • Special majority + state ratification: Matters like President's election, Supreme Court powers, representation of states in Parliament — need ratification by at least half the states

6) Money Bill — Lok Sabha's Ultimate Power

What counts as a Money Bill?

• Imposition, abolition, remission, alteration, or regulation of any tax
• Government borrowing or giving guarantees
• Custody of Consolidated Fund or Contingency Fund
• Appropriation of money from Consolidated Fund
• Any expenditure charged on Consolidated Fund
• Receipt, custody, or issue of money from public accounts
• Any matter connected to the above

Process of a Money Bill:

1. Introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha
2. Lok Sabha passes it → sent to Rajya Sabha
3. Rajya Sabha must return it within 14 days
4. Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments — but Lok Sabha may or may not accept them
5. If Rajya Sabha doesn't return within 14 days → bill is deemed passed by both houses
6. Rajya Sabha CANNOT REJECT a Money Bill
7. No joint sitting for Money Bill (LS already has overriding power)

7) Sessions, Quorum & Procedures

Sessions of Parliament

President summons Parliament. There must be at least two sessions in a year, and the gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months.

Quorum

If quorum is not met, the Speaker/Chairman can adjourn (suspend) the House or suspend the sitting until quorum is met.

Question Hour & Zero Hour

Motions in Parliament

8) Parliamentary Privileges

Members of Parliament are given some special rights so that they can work without fear. These are called parliamentary privileges (Article 105 for Parliament members, Article 194 for State Legislature members).

• Freedom of Speech: MPs can speak freely in Parliament. Whatever they say in the House cannot be challenged in any court. (But they cannot discuss conduct of Supreme Court or High Court judges except through a formal motion.)
• Freedom from arrest: MPs cannot be arrested in civil cases during the session and 40 days before and after the session. (Arrest is possible in criminal cases.)
• Right to publish: Parliament's proceedings can be published without fear of legal action.
• Right to exclude strangers: Parliament can hold secret sittings and exclude outsiders.
• Punish for contempt: Parliament can punish members or outsiders for breach of privilege or contempt.

9) ICSE Board Questions — Solve These, Your Paper is Ready

1-Mark Questions:

1. What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha? Ans: 552
2. What is the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha? Ans: 250
3. Who presides over the Lok Sabha? Ans: Speaker
4. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha? Ans: Vice President of India
5. What is quorum in Parliament? Ans: 1/10th of the total membership
6. What is the term of Lok Sabha? Ans: 5 years (can be dissolved earlier or extended during Emergency)
7. What is the term of Rajya Sabha members? Ans: 6 years (1/3rd retire every 2 years)
8. Minimum age for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha? Ans: LS = 25 years, RS = 30 years
9. What is a Money Bill? Under which Article? Ans: Bill dealing with taxation & finance, Article 110
10. Who decides if a bill is a Money Bill? Ans: Speaker of Lok Sabha
11. What is Zero Hour? Ans: Time after Question Hour when MPs raise urgent public matters without prior notice
12. What is the gap allowed between two Parliament sessions? Ans: Maximum 6 months
13. By what majority is the Speaker removed? Ans: Majority of LS members, with 14 days' notice
14. What is Question Hour? Ans: First hour of every sitting where MPs ask questions to ministers
15. How many members can the President nominate to Rajya Sabha? Ans: 12

3-Mark Questions:

1. Differentiate between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (4 points).
2. What is a Money Bill? Explain its procedure in Parliament.
3. Explain three ways in which Parliament controls the Executive.
4. Explain any three powers of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
5. What is a No-Confidence Motion? In which house can it be introduced and why?
6. Explain any three financial powers of Parliament.
7. Differentiate between Question Hour and Zero Hour.
8. Differentiate between No-Confidence Motion and Adjournment Motion.
9. Explain the legislative powers of Parliament (Union, State, Concurrent lists).
10. What are parliamentary privileges? Give three examples.

4-Mark / 5-Mark Questions (ICSE Section B pattern):

1. With reference to the Union Parliament, explain: (a) Lok Sabha — composition and term (b) Rajya Sabha — composition and term (c) Any four differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
2. With reference to the Union Parliament, discuss: (a) Legislative powers (b) Financial powers (c) Electoral powers.
3. Explain the composition, powers, and position of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
4. Explain how Parliament exercises control over the Council of Ministers through the following: (a) Question Hour (b) No-Confidence Motion (c) Adjournment Motion.
5. With reference to the Union Legislature, explain: (a) Ordinary Bill vs Money Bill (b) How the Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha.
6. Explain the judicial and constituent powers of the Parliament.
7. Discuss the parliamentary procedures under the following heads: (a) Sessions of Parliament (b) Quorum (c) Zero Hour.

10) Quick Reference — Print and Stick on Your Wall

Table to Remember Key Numbers

Key Articles — Most Important