Here are Top 50 key facts about the Parliament of India, explained comprehensively to clarify commonly confusing aspects, especially for UPSC CSE preparation:
Part V of the Constitution: The Indian Parliament is covered under Part V, Articles 79–122.
Bicameral Legislature: The Parliament consists of two Houses: Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House), along with the President of India.
Article 79: Declares that the Parliament comprises the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
Union Legislature: Parliament is the supreme legislative body at the Union level.
Lok Sabha Strength: Maximum strength is 552 members: 530 from states, 20 from Union Territories, and 2 nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (provision ceased after the 104th Amendment).
Rajya Sabha Strength: Maximum strength is 250 members: 238 elected and 12 nominated by the President.
President’s Role: The President summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Lok Sabha but does not sit in Parliament.
Sessions: Three annual sessions: Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session.
Lok Sabha Tenure: Five years, unless dissolved earlier by the President.
Rajya Sabha Tenure: A permanent body; one-third of its members retire every two years.
Representation in Lok Sabha: Members are directly elected by the people based on universal adult suffrage.
Representation in Rajya Sabha: Members are elected by state legislatures through a proportional representation system with a single transferable vote.
Nominated Members: The President nominates 12 members to Rajya Sabha for their contributions to arts, literature, science, or social service.
Election to Lok Sabha: Conducted based on the first-past-the-post system.
Dual Membership: A person cannot be a member of both Houses simultaneously.
Minimum Age: 25 years for Lok Sabha; 30 years for Rajya Sabha.
Qualifications for Membership: Include Indian citizenship, enrollment as a voter, and meeting other constitutional requirements.
Disqualification: Grounds include holding an office of profit, unsound mind, insolvency, or defection under the Tenth Schedule.
Anti-Defection Law: Introduced through the 52nd Amendment (1985), it prevents members from switching parties after election.
Vacancy in Membership: Arises due to resignation, death, disqualification, or absence from the House for 60 consecutive days without permission.
Legislative Powers: Parliament can make laws on Union List subjects, Residuary subjects, and certain Concurrent List subjects.
Executive Oversight: Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, ensuring executive accountability.
Financial Powers: Parliament controls national finances, including passing the budget, Money Bills, and approving taxation.
Judicial Powers: Includes impeachment of the President, removal of judges, and punishing members for contempt of Parliament.
Electoral Functions: Participates in the election of the President and Vice-President.
Constituent Powers: Can amend the Constitution under Article 368.
Control Over Delegated Legislation: Parliament oversees rules and regulations made by the executive under delegated authority.
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha: Can authorize the Parliament to legislate on a state subject under Article 249.
Emergency Powers: Parliament assumes greater authority during a national, state, or financial emergency.
Removal of Vice-President: Initiated in Rajya Sabha and requires a special majority in both Houses.
Money Bill: Introduced only in Lok Sabha with the Speaker’s certification and sent to Rajya Sabha for recommendations.
Ordinary Bill: Can be introduced in either House and requires approval from both.
Joint Sitting: Convened under Article 108 to resolve deadlocks, presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Question Hour: First hour of a sitting, dedicated to members asking questions to ministers.
Zero Hour: Unofficial time slot after Question Hour where members raise matters of urgent public importance.
No-Confidence Motion: Requires the support of 50 members in Lok Sabha to be admitted.
Adjournment Motion: Highlights government failures and requires the support of at least 50 members.
Censure Motion: Specific to policies or actions of the government; passed only in Lok Sabha.
Privilege Motion: Raised when a member feels their parliamentary privileges have been breached.
Quorum: The minimum number of members required to conduct proceedings is 10% of the total strength of the House.
Role of Whip: Issued by political parties to ensure party discipline during voting; violation may lead to disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.
Speaker’s Role: Neutral in conducting Lok Sabha proceedings; decides on Money Bill certification and anti-defection cases.
Chairman of Rajya Sabha: The Vice-President of India acts as its ex-officio Chairman.
Pro Tem Speaker: Temporarily appointed to conduct the first meeting of Lok Sabha after general elections.
Money Bill vs Financial Bill: Only Money Bills deal with taxation and government expenditure; other financial bills require approval from both Houses.
No Voting in Question Hour: Only questions and answers are allowed; no decisions are made.
Suspension of Members: Presiding officers can suspend unruly members to maintain order.
Private Member’s Bill: Introduced by MPs who are not ministers; less frequent but significant in highlighting issues.
Committee System: Parliamentary committees like Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Estimates Committee assist in detailed scrutiny.
UPSC Relevance: Questions often focus on parliamentary privileges, the Anti-Defection Law, Money Bills, and legislative procedures, making a nuanced understanding essential.