Hello brilliant minds,
Welcome back! Our constitutional tour has taken us through the executive branch, where we understood the roles of the President and the Prime Minister. We saw who holds the power. But where are they held accountable? Where are the laws of our country debated and created?
The answer lies in the supreme legislative body of our nation: The Parliament of India (Sansad).
This is a vast and vital topic for the SSC CGL exam. To make it simple, we'll break it down. In this first part, we will understand the structure of our Parliament by comparing its two magnificent houses.
The Three Pillars of Parliament
Before we dive into the two houses, remember this crucial fact from Article 79 of the Constitution: The Parliament of India consists of three parts:
The President
The Council of States (Rajya Sabha)
The House of the People (Lok Sabha)
We've already covered the President, so let's get to know the two houses.
The Lok Sabha (The House of the People)
Often called the "Lower House," the Lok Sabha represents the voice of the Indian people directly.
Strength: The maximum strength is 550. Currently, it has 543 members elected from states and union territories.
🔥 Exam Hotspot (Important Update): Earlier, the President could nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian community. This provision has been discontinued by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019. This is a critical update you must know!
Election: Members are chosen through direct elections based on universal adult franchise. You, as a voter, elect the members of the Lok Sabha.
Duration: The normal term is 5 years. It can be dissolved by the President before its term ends.
Presiding Officer: The Speaker. The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha members from amongst themselves. Their power is immense; for instance, they have the final say on whether a bill is a Money Bill.
The Rajya Sabha (The Council of States)
Known as the "Upper House," the Rajya Sabha represents the states of India. It ensures that the interests of the states are considered in the law-making process.
Strength: The maximum strength is 250. Currently, it stands at 245 members.
Composition:
233 members are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.
12 members are nominated by the President. These are individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in fields like Art, Literature, Science, and Social Service.
Duration (⭐ Most Important Difference): The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
Term of Members: It's a continuing chamber. One-third of its members retire every two years. Each member has a term of 6 years. This is a very frequently asked question!
Presiding Officer: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
| Also Known As | Lower House, Popular House | Upper House, House of Elders |
| Maximum Strength | 550 | 250 |
| Election | Direct election by the people | Indirect election by state MLAs |
| Duration of House | 5 years (can be dissolved) | Permanent Body (cannot be dissolved) |
| Term of a Member | 5 years | 6 years (1/3rd retire every 2 years) |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bills | Has primary power | Has very limited power |
Understanding the fundamental structure and differences between these two houses is the first step to mastering the Parliament.
Now that we know who sits where, how do they actually work? How does an idea scribbled on a piece of paper become a law that governs 1.4 billion people? In our next post, we'll demystify the fascinating world of Parliamentary Procedures, including bills, sessions, and motions.
Keep that fire of curiosity burning. You are doing great!
#SSCCGL #GeneralAwareness #IndianPolity #Parliament #LokSabha #RajyaSabha
