Why do we need a parliament?
The legislature is the elected body that makes laws. In India the national legislature is Parliament (President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha); states have state legislatures. Parliament is the heart of democracy because it:
- makes and changes laws, and amends the Constitution;
- controls the executive and keeps it answerable;
- controls money: taxes and spending need its approval;
- is a forum for debate where every region and group can be heard;
- elects the President and Vice-President and can remove judges and the President through special procedures.
Why two houses?
A legislature with two houses is bicameral. India chose it because it is large and diverse: one house can represent people directly and the other can represent states. It also allows a second look at every decision, so hasty laws can be stopped. Only six states have two houses (a Legislative Council as well as an Assembly).
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
- 543 members elected directly by FPTP for 5 years; can be dissolved earlier.
- Money bills start here; the Rajya Sabha can only delay them 14 days.
- Only the Lok Sabha can pass a no-confidence motion to remove the government.
Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
- Up to 250 members: elected by state MLAs (seats roughly by population, so big states have more) plus 12 members nominated for their work in art, science, literature or social service.
- A permanent house: one-third of members retire every 2 years; each serves 6 years.
- Special power: it can allow Parliament to make laws on a State List subject (by a two-thirds vote) and create new all-India services.
How Parliament makes laws
A bill is a draft of a proposed law. A bill moved by a minister is a government bill; one moved by any other MP is a private member's bill. A money bill deals only with taxes and spending and can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
- Introduction / first reading: the bill is introduced in one house.
- Committee stage: it is often sent to a committee that studies it and hears experts.
- Second reading: the house debates the bill clause by clause and votes.
- Other house: the same process in the second house. If the houses disagree on an ordinary bill, the President can call a joint sitting, where the larger Lok Sabha usually wins.
- President's assent: the President signs (or sends it back once), and it becomes an Act.
Much of the real work of making a law happens outside the house too: talks with parties, ministries, interest groups and the media.
How Parliament controls the executive
- Deliberation and discussion: Question Hour (ministers must answer MPs' questions), Zero Hour (urgent issues), adjournment motions and debates.
- Approval of laws: the government cannot make a law without Parliament.
- Financial control: the budget must be passed; the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports on spending are examined by committees.
- No-confidence motion: the Lok Sabha can remove the government.
This control works best when Parliament sits for enough days and MPs attend and debate; frequent disruptions and a very big majority can weaken it.
Committees and self-regulation
Committees
Parliament cannot study everything in the full house, so it forms committees of MPs from different parties. Standing committees are permanent: for example, the Public Accounts Committee checks government spending, and department-related standing committees study each ministry's bills and budget. Joint Parliamentary Committees of both houses may be set up for special matters or to probe scandals.
Self-regulation
Parliament makes its own rules of procedure. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) runs the house, decides who speaks, and can suspend members who disrupt it. The anti-defection law (52nd Amendment, 1985) says a member who leaves their party or votes against the party's instruction can be disqualified; the Speaker decides. It was made to stop MPs from switching parties for money or posts.
Try it: follow a real bill
Search the news for one bill that Parliament passed recently. Note: which house it started in, whether it went to a committee, how long it took, and when the President signed it. Then play the last 3D step and push your bill through each of the 7 stages.
Key formulas and definitions
- Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha: 543 elected, 5-year term; Rajya Sabha: max 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated), 6-year term, 1/3 retire every 2 years
- Money bill: only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can delay 14 days
- Bill stages: introduction → committee → second reading & vote → other house → President → Act
- Joint sitting: for ordinary bills when the houses disagree (not money bills or amendments)
- Anti-defection law: 52nd Amendment, 1985 (Tenth Schedule)
Worked examples
1. Rajya Sabha has 245 members now. How many retire every two years, roughly?
One-third of about 245 is about 82 members, so around 80 retire every two years (elections are staggered state-wise).
2. A money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha on 1 March. The Rajya Sabha does nothing. When is it deemed passed by both houses?
After 14 days, the bill is deemed passed by both houses in the form the Lok Sabha passed it.
3. The Lok Sabha passes an ordinary bill, but the Rajya Sabha rejects it. What can happen?
The President can call a joint sitting of both houses. Since the Lok Sabha has 543 members and the Rajya Sabha about 245, the Lok Sabha's view usually wins.
4. An MP elected on Party A's ticket joins Party B. What can happen?
Under the anti-defection law, the presiding officer can disqualify him, and he loses his seat.
Common mistakes
- Saying Rajya Sabha members are elected directly by people. They are elected by state MLAs.
- Thinking the Rajya Sabha can reject a money bill. It can only suggest changes and delay it 14 days.
- Thinking a joint sitting can be called for a money bill or constitutional amendment. It cannot.
- Saying the Rajya Sabha is dissolved every 5 years. It is a permanent house.