Composition of the Two Houses
NCERT Class 11 - Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 5
Composition of the Two Houses
Article 79 says Parliament consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The President is part of Parliament even though he does not sit in either House, because a Bill becomes law only with his assent.
Lok Sabha
- Also called the House of the People; it is the lower and popular House.
- Article 81 fixes the maximum strength at 550 - up to 530 from the states and up to 20 from the union territories.
- Members are directly elected by universal adult franchise from single-member territorial constituencies.
- The normal term is five years, but the House can be dissolved earlier, and during a National Emergency the term can be extended by Parliament one year at a time.
- Minimum age for membership is 25 years.
- The Speaker presides, assisted by the Deputy Speaker. G. V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker.
- The Speaker has a casting vote only in case of a tie, certifies a money Bill, presides over a joint sitting, and decides questions of disqualification on defection.
Rajya Sabha
- Also called the Council of States; it represents the states and union territories.
- Maximum strength is 250 - up to 238 elected from the states and union territories, and 12 nominated by the President from persons with special knowledge of literature, science, art and social service.
- Members from the states are elected by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies through proportional representation by the single transferable vote.
- It is a permanent body that is never dissolved; one-third of its members retire every two years, and each member serves six years.
- Minimum age for membership is 30 years.
- The Vice-President of India is the ex officio Chairman; the Deputy Chairman is elected from among the members.
| Point | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum strength | 550 | 250 |
| Election | Direct by the people | Indirect by state assemblies, plus 12 nominated |
| Term | Five years, can be dissolved | Permanent, one-third retire every two years |
| Minimum age | 25 years | 30 years |
| Presiding officer | Speaker, a member of the House | Vice-President, not a member of the House |
| Money Bill | Can originate and decide | Can only recommend, within 14 days |
Special powers of the Rajya Sabha
- Article 249 - by a resolution supported by two-thirds of members present and voting, the Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to make a law on a State List subject in the national interest, valid for one year at a time.
- Article 312 - only the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution enabling Parliament to create a new All India Service.
- Both powers exist because the Rajya Sabha represents the states, so the states' own House gives permission for such encroachment.
- A resolution to remove the Vice-President must originate in the Rajya Sabha.
हिंदी संकेत: राज्यसभा कभी भंग नहीं होती, पर उसके एक-तिहाई सदस्य हर दो वर्ष में सेवानिवृत्त होते हैं। लोकसभा भंग हो सकती है, राज्यसभा नहीं।
Exam me kaise aata hai
Factual questions ask the maximum strength of each House, the minimum ages, and how many members the President nominates. Match-the-following links article number with provision. Statement-based questions test the special powers under Articles 249 and 312.
UPSC / State PSC ke liye
Note the logic behind each design choice - the Lok Sabha is directly elected so that government is responsible to the people; the Rajya Sabha is permanent so that continuity survives the dissolution of the lower House, and its special powers exist precisely because it speaks for the states in a federal system.
Yahan confuse hote hain
✗ The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not a member of the House | ✓ The Speaker is a member; the Rajya Sabha Chairman is not
✗ The Rajya Sabha can be dissolved like the Lok Sabha | ✓ It is a permanent body and is never dissolved
✗ The President nominates 12 members to the Lok Sabha | ✓ The 12 nominated members are in the Rajya Sabha
Ek nazar me
- Article 79 - Parliament is the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
- Lok Sabha maximum 550, directly elected, five-year term, minimum age 25.
- Rajya Sabha maximum 250, with 238 elected and 12 nominated, minimum age 30.
- Rajya Sabha is permanent; one-third retire every two years and each term is six years.
- Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha; the Vice-President chairs the Rajya Sabha.
- Article 249 allows legislation on a State List subject; Article 312 allows a new All India Service.