Parliament — The Union Legislature

⚖ PON06 · Indian Polity · NDA GAT NDA Level ★ High Priority

📌 NDA Focus: (1) Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha — composition, qualifications, strength; (2) Types of bills — especially Money Bill definition and procedure; (3) Speaker's role; (4) Anti-defection law; (5) Joint sitting (Article 108); (6) Question Hour vs Zero Hour. Factual questions on "who has what power" between the two houses are most common.

1. Structure of Parliament

⚖ Parliament of India — Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha (Article 79: President + LS + RS)

📅 LOK SABHA — House of the People

Type: Lower House; directly elected by voters through universal adult franchise
Maximum strength: 552 (530 from states + 20 from UTs + 2 Anglo-Indian nominated — lapsed after 104th Amdt 2020)
Current strength: 543 elected seats
Term: 5 years; can be dissolved earlier by President on PM's advice
Minimum age for members: 25 years
Presiding Officer: Speaker — elected by Lok Sabha members; also presides over Joint Sitting (Article 108)
Exclusive powers: Only Lok Sabha introduces Money Bills; passes No-Confidence Motion; controls executive (PM answerable to LS)

📅 RAJYA SABHA — Council of States

Type: Upper House; indirectly elected (by State Legislative Assembly members)
Maximum strength: 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated by President for art, literature, science, social service)
Current strength: 245 members
Nature: Permanent house — cannot be dissolved; 1/3 of members retire every 2 years
Member term: 6 years per elected member
Minimum age: 30 years
Presiding Officer: Chairman = Vice-President of India (ex-officio)
Special powers: Art 249 (pass resolution to let Parliament legislate on State List); Art 312 (create new All India Services)

2. Types of Bills in Parliament

Ordinary Bill

Introduced in either house

Can be introduced in either house
Passed by simple majority in both houses
If deadlock: President can summon Joint Sitting (Article 108)
President: can withhold assent, return for reconsideration, or assent

Money Bill (Article 110)

Only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha has 14 days

Certified by Speaker of Lok Sabha as Money Bill
Only introduced in Lok Sabha (not Rajya Sabha)
Rajya Sabha cannot amend — only recommend; 14 days
No joint sitting for Money Bills — Lok Sabha's decision final
Covers: taxes, borrowing, Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund

Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368)

Special majority required

Special majority: 2/3 of members present and voting + majority of total membership
Some amendments also need ratification by half of states (affecting federal structure)
No joint sitting for Constitutional Amendment Bills
Introduced in either house

📈 Parliamentary Procedures

Question Hour: First hour of every sitting; MPs ask questions to ministers about their departments
Zero Hour: After Question Hour (12 noon); matters of urgent public importance without prior notice
Quorum: 1/10 of total membership of each house
Joint Sitting (Article 108): Summoned by President to resolve deadlock on ordinary bills; Speaker of Lok Sabha presides; decision by simple majority
Sessions: Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (July-August), Winter (November-December)

📄 Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule)

Added by 52nd Constitutional Amendment 1985
Member disqualified if: voluntarily gives up party membership; votes against party directive; abstains from voting against party direction
Decision by: Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman) — subject to judicial review
Exception: If 2/3 majority of party members agree to merger
Kihoto Hollohan case (1992): Speaker's decision is final but subject to judicial review

📝 NDA PYQ Practice — PON06

Q1. Which of the following statements about Money Bills is correct? NDA PYQ

(a) A Money Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament (b) A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (c) The Rajya Sabha can amend a Money Bill (d) A joint sitting is called if Rajya Sabha rejects a Money Bill

✔ Answer: (b) Only in Lok Sabha

Under Article 110, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. After Lok Sabha passes it, it is sent to Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha has only 14 days to consider it and can only make recommendations (not amendments). If Rajya Sabha does not return it within 14 days, it is deemed passed. There is no joint sitting for Money Bills — Lok Sabha's decision is final. The Speaker of Lok Sabha certifies a bill as a Money Bill.

Q2. The Anti-Defection Law is contained in which Schedule of the Constitution? NDA PYQ

(a) 8th Schedule (b) 9th Schedule (c) 10th Schedule (d) 12th Schedule

✔ Answer: (c) 10th Schedule

The Anti-Defection Law is contained in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985. It provides for the disqualification of members of Parliament and state legislatures on the ground of defection. 8th Schedule = official languages; 9th Schedule = acts protected from judicial review; 12th Schedule = Municipalities.

Q3. The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is: NDA PYQ

(a) 238(b) 245 (c) 250(d) 552

✔ Answer: (c) 250

The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250 — 238 elected by state legislative assemblies + 12 nominated by the President. Currently it has 245 members (233 + 12 nominated). The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 552. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house — it cannot be dissolved and 1/3 of its members retire every 2 years. Each member serves a 6-year term.

Q4. In which article is the provision for a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament given? NDA PYQ

(a) Article 100(b) Article 108 (c) Article 110(d) Article 112

✔ Answer: (b) Article 108

Article 108 provides for the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, convened by the President, to resolve a deadlock over ordinary bills (not Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills). The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Decisions are by simple majority of total members present and voting. Article 100 = quorum and voting; Article 110 = Money Bill definition; Article 112 = Annual Financial Statement (Budget).

📋 Quick Reference — PON06

⚖ Lok Sabha

Max strength: 552; Current: 543
Directly elected; Term: 5 years
Age: 25+; Speaker presides
Exclusive: Money Bills, No-Confidence

⚖ Rajya Sabha

Max strength: 250; Current: 245
Permanent house; 1/3 retire every 2 yrs
Age: 30+; VP is Chairman (ex-officio)
12 nominated by President

📄 Types of Bills

Ordinary: either house; joint sitting if deadlock
Money: only Lok Sabha; RS has 14 days
ConAmdt: special majority; no joint sitting
Speaker certifies Money Bill

⚖ Parliamentary Sessions

Budget: Feb–May
Monsoon: July–August
Winter: Nov–Dec
Quorum: 1/10 of total membership

⚖ Schedules

7th: 3 Lists (Union/State/Concurrent)
8th: 22 official languages
9th: Acts outside judicial review
10th: Anti-defection (52nd Amdt 1985)

⚖ Key Articles

Art 108: Joint sitting
Art 110: Money Bill definition
Art 112: Annual Budget
Art 123: President's Ordinance power
Art 368: Constitutional Amendment

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