Parliament
Definition/Introduction
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in the country, comprising the President and the two Houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. It plays a crucial role in the governance of India by enacting laws, overseeing the executive, and representing the people.
Constitutional Provisions
**Article 79**: Constitution of India provides for a Parliament for the Union of India, consisting of the President and two Houses, namely the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.**Article 80**: Provides for the composition of the Rajya Sabha, which includes representatives of the States and Union territories, and the President's nominees.**Article 81**: States the composition of the Lok Sabha, which can have a maximum of 552 members.**Article 85**: The President summons and prorogues the sessions of Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha.**Article 246**: Provides the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States.**Article 110**: Defines a Money Bill and states that it can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.Historical Evolution
The Parliament of India has evolved from the British parliamentary system, gaining independence through the Indian Independence Act of 1947. Initially, the Indian Parliament was modeled after the British Parliament, with the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 establishing the current structure and functioning.
Classification/Types
1. **Lok Sabha**: Lower house, directly elected by the people.
Maximum strength: 552 members.Term: 5 years.2. **Rajya Sabha**: Upper house, indirectly elected by the State Legislatures.
Maximum strength: 250 members.Members serve for 6 years, with one-third retiring every two years.Important Provisions/Features
**Collective Responsibility**: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.**Money Bills**: Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha.**Impeachment**: The process of impeachment of the President is detailed in Article 61.**Sessions**: Parliament meets at least twice a year.Landmark Judgments
**Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)**: Established the Basic Structure Doctrine.**Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)**: Reinforced the Basic Structure Doctrine and the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.Amendments
**73rd Amendment (1992)**: Empowered the Parliament to make laws for the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions.**74th Amendment (1992)**: Empowered the Parliament to make laws for the establishment of Municipalities.Comparison Tables
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|-----------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Election | Directly elected | Indirectly elected |
| Term | 5 years | 6 years |
| Maximum Strength | 552 members | 250 members |
| Dissolution | Can be dissolved by the President| Permanent body (1/3 members retire every 2 years)|
UPSC Exam Focus
Frequently asked aspects include the composition, powers, and functions of both Houses.Questions often focus on the legislative process, especially concerning Money Bills.Tricky areas involve the roles of the President in relation to Parliament and the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.Recent Developments
The Tamil Nadu assembly elections of 2026 highlight the dynamics of political power and regional parties within the framework of the parliamentary system, reflecting the ongoing evolution of Indian democracy.The Lok Sabha's approval of ₹53 lakh crore in the Demands for Grants emphasizes Parliament's role in fiscal matters and budgetary control, central to the functioning of the government.Exam Relevance of Recent Developments
Current affairs related to parliamentary proceedings, such as the passage of the budget or significant legislative changes, are often connected to static concepts in the syllabus, making them relevant for exam preparation.Possible question angles include analyzing the impact of recent legislative decisions on parliamentary democracy and governance.