5.2.2 Parliament notes

1. 5.2.2.1Composition of Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

   Parliament is the President plus two Houses: the Rajya Sabha, a permanent House that represents the states, and the Lok Sabha, a House directly elected by the people for five years.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
2. 5.2.2.2Membership of Parliament: qualifications, disqualification and office of profit

   The Constitution sets the basic qualifications and disqualifications for MPs; the Representation of the People Act adds the details. A seat can also fall vacant through double membership, resignation or long absence.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
3. 5.2.2.3Presiding officers and leaders in Parliament

   The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha and the Vice-President, as Chairman, over the Rajya Sabha. Each has a deputy, and party leaders and whips run the House's business by convention.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
4. 5.2.2.4Sessions and devices of parliamentary proceedings

   The President calls and ends sessions of Parliament; inside a session, members hold the government to account through questions, motions and discussions set out mostly in the Rules of each House.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
5. 5.2.2.5Legislative procedure in Parliament and types of bills

   An ordinary bill passes three readings in each House and then goes to the President for assent; money, financial and constitution amendment bills follow special rules.

   Standard · 7 min · Full course
6. 5.2.2.6Money bills, financial bills and joint sitting

   A money bill deals only with taxes, borrowing and the government's funds; it starts in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes within 14 days. Deadlocks on other bills go to a joint sitting.

   Standard · 7 min · Full course
7. 5.2.2.7Budget, grants and the three funds

   The Constitution calls the budget the "Annual Financial Statement"; the Lok Sabha votes the grants, no money leaves the Consolidated Fund without a law, and no tax is levied without a law.

   Standard · 7 min · Full course
8. 5.2.2.8Parliamentary committees

   Committees do Parliament's detailed work: they examine accounts, spending, bills and ministries in small groups, and report to the House.

   Standard · 7 min · Full course
9. 5.2.2.9Parliamentary privileges

   Privileges are special rights and immunities of each House, its committees and members, given so that they can work without fear or obstruction; Article 105 covers Parliament and Article 194 the state legislatures.

   Standard · 7 min · Full course
10. 5.2.2.10Rajya Sabha versus Lok Sabha; women's reservation (106th Amendment)

    The Lok Sabha is stronger in money matters and in controlling the government, the two Houses are equal on most other legislation, and the Rajya Sabha has a few powers of its own. The 106th Amendment reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies, from the next delimitation.

    Standard · 7 min · Full course

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