This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, highlighting their distinct features, powers, and roles in India's bicameral system.
| Feature | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition (Max) | 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019) | 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated) |
| Election Type | Directly elected by people from territorial constituencies | Indirectly elected by elected members of state legislative assemblies (proportional representation by single transferable vote) |
| Term | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) | Permanent body; 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Representation | Represents the people of India | Represents the States and Union Territories |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by LS members) | Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bills | Superior powers; can introduce, pass, reject/accept RS recommendations | Limited powers; can only recommend amendments within 14 days |
| No-Confidence Motion | Can initiate and pass against the Council of Ministers | Cannot initiate or pass a No-Confidence Motion |
| Special Powers | Exclusive power to introduce Money Bills; can pass No-Confidence Motion | Art. 249: Parliament to legislate on State List (national interest); Art. 312: Creation of All India Services |
💡 Highlighted: Row 1 is particularly important for exam preparation
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, highlighting their distinct features, powers, and roles in India's bicameral system.
| Feature | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition (Max) | 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019) | 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated) |
| Election Type | Directly elected by people from territorial constituencies | Indirectly elected by elected members of state legislative assemblies (proportional representation by single transferable vote) |
| Term | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) | Permanent body; 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Representation | Represents the people of India | Represents the States and Union Territories |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by LS members) | Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bills | Superior powers; can introduce, pass, reject/accept RS recommendations | Limited powers; can only recommend amendments within 14 days |
| No-Confidence Motion | Can initiate and pass against the Council of Ministers | Cannot initiate or pass a No-Confidence Motion |
| Special Powers | Exclusive power to introduce Money Bills; can pass No-Confidence Motion | Art. 249: Parliament to legislate on State List (national interest); Art. 312: Creation of All India Services |
💡 Highlighted: Row 1 is particularly important for exam preparation
This mind map illustrates the constitutional structure of the Indian Parliament and its primary functions, highlighting the interconnectedness of its components.
Summons/Prorogues Parliament
Assents to Bills (Art. 111)
550 Members, Direct Election
Money Bills, No-Confidence Motion
250 Members, Indirect Election, Permanent
Art. 249, Art. 312
Law Making (Union & Concurrent List)
Control over Executive (Questions, Motions)
Budget Approval, Taxation
This mind map illustrates the constitutional structure of the Indian Parliament and its primary functions, highlighting the interconnectedness of its components.
Summons/Prorogues Parliament
Assents to Bills (Art. 111)
550 Members, Direct Election
Money Bills, No-Confidence Motion
250 Members, Indirect Election, Permanent
Art. 249, Art. 312
Law Making (Union & Concurrent List)
Control over Executive (Questions, Motions)
Budget Approval, Taxation
Composition: The Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha (Article 79).
Lok Sabha: Maximum 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian nominated seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019), directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies. Its term is 5 years, unless dissolved earlier. It represents the people directly.
Rajya Sabha: Maximum 250 members, 238 elected indirectly by elected members of state legislative assemblies, and 12 members nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science, and social service. It is a permanent body, with one-third of its members retiring every two years, representing the states.
Legislative Powers: Enacts laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List, and under certain circumstances, on the State List.
Control over Executive: Holds the executive (Council of Ministers) accountable through various mechanisms like questions, resolutions, no-confidence motions (only in Lok Sabha), and debates.
Financial Powers: Approves the annual budget (Article 112), authorizes government expenditure, and levies taxes. Lok Sabha has superior powers in Money Bills.
Constituent Powers: Amends the Constitution (Article 368).
Judicial Powers: Can impeach the President, Vice-President, judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, and other high constitutional functionaries.
Electoral Powers: Participates in the election of the President and Vice-President.
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, highlighting their distinct features, powers, and roles in India's bicameral system.
| Feature | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition (Max) | 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019) | 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated) |
| Election Type | Directly elected by people from territorial constituencies | Indirectly elected by elected members of state legislative assemblies (proportional representation by single transferable vote) |
| Term | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) | Permanent body; 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Representation | Represents the people of India | Represents the States and Union Territories |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by LS members) | Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bills | Superior powers; can introduce, pass, reject/accept RS recommendations | Limited powers; can only recommend amendments within 14 days |
| No-Confidence Motion | Can initiate and pass against the Council of Ministers | Cannot initiate or pass a No-Confidence Motion |
| Special Powers | Exclusive power to introduce Money Bills; can pass No-Confidence Motion | Art. 249: Parliament to legislate on State List (national interest); Art. 312: Creation of All India Services |
This mind map illustrates the constitutional structure of the Indian Parliament and its primary functions, highlighting the interconnectedness of its components.
Parliament of India (Art. 79)
Composition: The Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha (Article 79).
Lok Sabha: Maximum 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian nominated seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019), directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies. Its term is 5 years, unless dissolved earlier. It represents the people directly.
Rajya Sabha: Maximum 250 members, 238 elected indirectly by elected members of state legislative assemblies, and 12 members nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science, and social service. It is a permanent body, with one-third of its members retiring every two years, representing the states.
Legislative Powers: Enacts laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List, and under certain circumstances, on the State List.
Control over Executive: Holds the executive (Council of Ministers) accountable through various mechanisms like questions, resolutions, no-confidence motions (only in Lok Sabha), and debates.
Financial Powers: Approves the annual budget (Article 112), authorizes government expenditure, and levies taxes. Lok Sabha has superior powers in Money Bills.
Constituent Powers: Amends the Constitution (Article 368).
Judicial Powers: Can impeach the President, Vice-President, judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, and other high constitutional functionaries.
Electoral Powers: Participates in the election of the President and Vice-President.
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, highlighting their distinct features, powers, and roles in India's bicameral system.
| Feature | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition (Max) | 550 members (originally 552, 2 Anglo-Indian seats abolished by 104th CAA 2019) | 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated) |
| Election Type | Directly elected by people from territorial constituencies | Indirectly elected by elected members of state legislative assemblies (proportional representation by single transferable vote) |
| Term | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) | Permanent body; 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Representation | Represents the people of India | Represents the States and Union Territories |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by LS members) | Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bills | Superior powers; can introduce, pass, reject/accept RS recommendations | Limited powers; can only recommend amendments within 14 days |
| No-Confidence Motion | Can initiate and pass against the Council of Ministers | Cannot initiate or pass a No-Confidence Motion |
| Special Powers | Exclusive power to introduce Money Bills; can pass No-Confidence Motion | Art. 249: Parliament to legislate on State List (national interest); Art. 312: Creation of All India Services |
This mind map illustrates the constitutional structure of the Indian Parliament and its primary functions, highlighting the interconnectedness of its components.
Parliament of India (Art. 79)
