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Union Legislature

How India's parliamentary system works — the two Houses of Parliament, how their members are chosen, and how Parliament makes laws and controls the government.

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What this chapter covers

  1. Parliamentary Form of Government

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    • FeaturesExecutive answerable to the legislature.
    • Three BranchesLegislature makes, executive enforces, judiciary interprets.
    • Distribution of PowersPowers kept equally balanced between branches.
    • President and PMNominal head acts on PM's advice.
    • Supreme AuthorityParliament is the highest law-making body.

  2. Distribution of Power Between Union and State Legislatures

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    • Federal Division RationalePowers shared between Centre and states.
    • Union ListMatters of national importance; Parliament only.
    • State ListRegional matters like police, public health.
    • Concurrent ListBoth legislate, like education, forests.

  3. The Union Parliament

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    • Bicameral LegislatureTwo Houses make the central laws.
    • President's RolePresident is part of Parliament.

  4. Lok Sabha

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    • CompositionDirectly elected members; maximum 550.
    • Basic Qualifications of the Members of the Lok SabhaIndian citizen, 25 years, registered voter.
    • Voting by Secret BallotSecret votes, mostly on EVMs.
    • Term of the Lok SabhaFive years, unless dissolved earlier.
    • The SpeakerPresiding officer who conducts meetings.

  5. Rajya Sabha

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    • CompositionIndirectly elected, plus 12 nominated.
    • ChairpersonVice-President presides over Rajya Sabha.
    • Basic Qualifications of the Members of the Rajya SabhaIndian citizen, 30 years, registered voter.
    • RS TermsPermanent House; six-year member terms.

  6. Functions of the Parliament

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    • Law-making FunctionsFrames and changes Union, Concurrent laws.
    • The BudgetAnnual income and expenditure estimate.
    • Control Over the ExecutiveMinisters answerable to the Lok Sabha.
    • Judicial FunctionsCan impeach President, remove judges.
    • Elective FunctionsHelps elect President and Vice-President.
    • Parliament SessionsMeets twice yearly; 10% quorum.

Try a sample question

What is the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha?

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