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Parliament of India Notes: Members, Functions and Sessions

Parliament of India is the supreme legislative authority in the country, established under Part V (Articles 79–122) of the Constitution of India. It comprises the President of India and two Houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). This bicameral structure reflects India’s federal system and ensures representation of both the populace and the states.​

Composition of the Indian Parliament

Table 1: Structure of the Indian Parliament

Component Description
President Ceremonial head; integral part of Parliament but not a member of either House
Rajya Sabha Upper House; represents states and union territories
Lok Sabha Lower House; represents the people of India

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

  • Maximum Strength: 552 members
    • 530 from states
    • 20 from union territories
    • 2 nominated by the President (a provision abolished by the 104th Amendment Act, 2019)
  • Current Strength: 543 members
  • Term: 5 years unless dissolved earlier
  • Presiding Officer: Speaker​

Table 2: Key Features of Lok Sabha

Feature Details
Election Direct elections by the people using universal adult suffrage
Eligibility Indian citizen, at least 25 years old, and other qualifications as per law
Sessions Budget, Monsoon, and Winter sessions annually
Quorum Minimum 10% of total membership required to conduct proceedings

Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

  • Maximum Strength: 250 members
    • 238 elected by the states and union territories
    • 12 nominated by the President for their expertise in specific fields
  • Current Strength: 245 members
  • Term: Permanent body; one-third members retire every two years
  • Presiding Officer: Vice-President of India (ex-officio Chairman)

Table 3: Key Features of Rajya Sabha

Feature Details
Election Indirect elections by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
Eligibility Indian citizen, at least 30 years old, and other qualifications as per law
Sessions Budget, Monsoon, and Winter sessions annually
Quorum Minimum 10% of total membership required to conduct proceedings

Powers and Functions of the Parliament

Table 4: Functions of the Indian Parliament

Function Description
Legislative Enacts laws on subjects in the Union and Concurrent Lists
Executive Control Exercises control over the executive through questions, motions, and debates
Financial Approves budgets, levies taxes, and authorizes expenditure
Constitutional Amends the Constitution under Article 368
Electoral Participates in the election of the President and Vice-President
Judicial Impeaches the President, removes judges, and punishes members for misconduct

Sessions of Parliament

Table 5: Sessions and Their Purposes

Session Period (Approximate) Purpose
Budget February to May Presentation and passage of the Union Budget
Monsoon July to September Discussion on various bills and issues
Winter November to December Legislative business and discussion on national matters

Parliamentary Committees

Table 6: Types of Parliamentary Committees

Committee Type Description
Standing Permanent committees that work on a continuous basis
Ad Hoc Temporary committees formed for a specific purpose
Joint Committees comprising members from both Houses
Select Committees formed to examine specific bills or issues

Important Articles Related to Parliament

Table 7: Constitutional Articles Pertaining to Parliament

Article Subject Matter
79 Constitution of Parliament
80 Composition of Rajya Sabha
81 Composition of Lok Sabha
85 Sessions of Parliament
86 Right of President to address Parliament
110 Definition of Money Bills
112 Annual Financial Statement (Budget)
123 Power of President to promulgate ordinances

Historical Timeline of the Indian Parliament

Table 8: Key Events in Parliamentary History

Year Event
1927 Inauguration of the original Parliament House (Council House)
1947 Constituent Assembly becomes the provisional Parliament of India
1950 Constitution of India comes into effect; Parliament of India formally established
1952 First general elections held; first Lok Sabha constituted
2001 Terrorist attack on Parliament House on December 13
2023 Inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28

Parliament House: Old and New

Old Parliament House

  • Design: Circular structure designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker
  • Inauguration: January 18, 1927
  • Significance: Witnessed major events including the drafting of the Constitution and numerous legislative milestones.

New Parliament Building

  • Design: Triangular structure with modern facilities
  • Inauguration: May 28, 2023
  • Features:
    • Seating capacity of 888 in Lok Sabha and 384 in Rajya Sabha
    • Equipped with state-of-the-art technology
    • Designed to accommodate future expansions

Notable Parliamentary Events

Table 9: Significant Events

Date Event
December 13, 2001 Terrorist attack on Parliament House resulting in multiple casualties
May 28, 2023 Inauguration of the new Parliament building

Conclusion

The Parliament of India serves as the cornerstone of the nation’s democratic framework, embodying the will of the people and the federal structure of governance. Its evolution from the colonial-era Council House to the modern Parliament building reflects India’s journey towards a robust and inclusive democracy.

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FAQs

How many sessions are there in the Indian Parliament?

The Indian Parliament consists of 3 sessions i.e. Monsoon Session, Winter Session, and Budget Session in different time intervals.

Who is the head of the Indian Parliament?

The President of India is the head of the Indian Parliament. At present, Draupadi Murumu is the head of Parliament.

What is the eligibility of a member of Parliament?

The member of parliament should fulfill the criteria,  a person must be a citizen of India and not less than 30 years of age in the case of Rajya Sabha and not less than 25 years of age in the case of Lok Sabha.

What are the types of bills in the Indian Parliament?

The Indian Constitution provides 4 different types of bills, which include Money Bill, Financial Bill, Ordinary Bills, and Constitution Amendment Bill.

What is the Parliament?

The parliament is a type of legislature and composition of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with the President of India as Head of it.

What are the main functions of the Parliament?

The main functions of Parliament are as follows:
1. Legislative Function
2. Executive Function
3. Judicial Function
4. Electoral Function etc.

What is the role of Parliament in law-making?

The Parliament makes law for the whole country. It can also amend the Constitution and reject/ change draft laws.