A complete, exam-ready guide to the two Houses of India's Parliament — composition, powers, key Articles, special provisions, and the latest facts — built for SSC, Railway, BPSC and State PCS aspirants.
1 The Parliament of India
India follows a bicameral parliamentary system at the Union level. According to Article 79 of the Constitution, the Parliament of India consists of three parts:
While the President is not a member of either House, no bill can become law without the President's assent — which is why the President is counted as an integral part of Parliament. The Lok Sabha is the Lower House, directly elected by the people; the Rajya Sabha is the Upper House, representing the states. The provisions relating to Parliament are contained in Articles 79 to 122 of Part V of the Constitution.
2 Lok Sabha (House of the People)
The Lok Sabha is the popular chamber, directly representing the people of India.
- Maximum strength: 550 members — up to 530 from the States and up to 20 from the Union Territories.
- Current strength: 543 members (all directly elected).
- Election: Direct election by universal adult franchise on a first-past-the-post basis in single-member constituencies.
- Term: Normally 5 years; can be dissolved earlier by the President, and extended by one year at a time during a National Emergency (Article 352).
- Presiding officers: Speaker and Deputy Speaker, elected by members (Article 93).
- Qualification (Article 84): Citizen of India, minimum age 25 years.
3 Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House and represents the states and union territories in the federal structure.
- Maximum strength: 250 members — up to 238 elected (states & UTs) and 12 nominated by the President.
- Current strength: 245 members (233 elected + 12 nominated).
- Election: Representatives of states are elected by elected MLAs through proportional representation by single transferable vote.
- Nominated members: 12, for special knowledge in literature, science, art and social service.
- Term: A permanent House — not subject to dissolution; one-third of members retire every two years; each member serves 6 years.
- Presiding officers: Chairman (Vice-President of India, ex-officio, Article 89) and an elected Deputy Chairman.
4 Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
This comparison is the single most-tested part of the topic — keep it on your fingertips.
| Basis | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Lower House | Upper House |
| Maximum strength | 550 | 250 |
| Current strength | 543 | 245 |
| Represents | People of India | States & UTs |
| Mode of election | Direct (adult franchise) | Indirect (by MLAs) |
| Nominated members | None | 12 (by President) |
| Term of House | 5 years (dissolvable) | Permanent — never dissolved |
| Member's tenure | 5 years | 6 years (1/3 retire every 2 yrs) |
| Minimum age | 25 years | 30 years |
| Presiding officer | Speaker | Chairman (Vice-President) |
| Money Bills | Originates; final say | Only delay (max 14 days) |
| No-confidence motion | Here only | Cannot be moved |
| Special powers | Controls Council of Ministers | Articles 249 & 312 |
5 Powers & Functions of Parliament
Legislative: Ordinary bills can be introduced in either House and must be passed by both; a deadlock may go to a joint sitting (Article 108).
Financial: A Money Bill (Article 110) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, on the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject it — it may only recommend, and must return it within 14 days.
Executive control: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75). Only the Lok Sabha can remove the government through a no-confidence motion.
Electoral & constituent: Both Houses take part in electing the President and Vice-President, and share equal power to amend the Constitution (Article 368).
6 Special / Exclusive Powers
Exclusive to the Rajya Sabha (federal chamber)
- Article 249: Can authorise Parliament to legislate on a State List subject in the national interest (2/3 majority).
- Article 312: Can authorise creation of a new All-India Service.
Exclusive to the Lok Sabha (popular chamber)
- A Money Bill can be introduced only here.
- A no-confidence motion can be moved only here.
- The Speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill — and that decision is final.
7 Key Constitutional Articles
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 79 | Constitution of Parliament |
| 80 | Composition of the Rajya Sabha |
| 81 | Composition of the Lok Sabha |
| 83 | Duration of the Houses |
| 84 | Qualification for membership |
| 89 | Chairman & Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha |
| 93 | Speaker & Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha |
| 100 | Voting & quorum in the Houses |
| 108 | Joint sitting of both Houses |
| 110 | Definition of Money Bills |
| 112 | Annual Financial Statement (Budget) |
| 249 | Rajya Sabha power over State List |
| 312 | All-India Services |
| 352 | National Emergency (extends LS term) |
8 Sessions of Parliament
Parliament normally meets in three sessions each year: the Budget Session (Feb–May, the longest), the Monsoon Session (Jul–Sep), and the Winter Session (Nov–Dec).
- Summoning: The President calls each House to meet (gap between sessions cannot exceed 6 months).
- Prorogation: The President ends a session.
- Adjournment: Suspends work for a specified time.
- Dissolution: Ends the life of the Lok Sabha (Rajya Sabha is never dissolved).
- Quorum: One-tenth of total members (Article 100).
- Joint sitting (Article 108): Presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
9 Important Parliamentary Terms
- Question Hour: First hour of a sitting — members ask questions, ministers answer.
- Zero Hour: An Indian innovation right after Question Hour, for raising urgent matters without notice.
- Motions: Adjournment, No-Confidence, Censure, Calling Attention, etc.
- Whip: A written party order directing members to attend and vote a certain way.
- Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule): Disqualifies defectors; the presiding officer decides such cases.
10 Current Facts (2026)
- Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla (18th Lok Sabha)
- Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker: Vacant
- Rajya Sabha Chairman (Vice-President): C.P. Radhakrishnan (since Sept 2025)
- Lok Sabha current strength: 543
- Rajya Sabha current strength: 245
These office-holders and figures change over time — re-confirm on the day of an exam.
11 Quick Revision Box
Most-tested one-liners
- Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha (Article 79)
- Lok Sabha max = 550; current = 543
- Rajya Sabha max = 250; current = 245 (12 nominated)
- Money Bill originates only in Lok Sabha (Article 110)
- Rajya Sabha can delay a Money Bill for max 14 days
- Rajya Sabha is a permanent House; 1/3 retire every 2 years
- Minimum age: Lok Sabha 25, Rajya Sabha 30
- No-confidence motion → Lok Sabha only
- Joint sitting (Article 108) presided by the Speaker
- Rajya Sabha's special powers → Articles 249 & 312
- Anti-Defection Law → 10th Schedule
▶ Watch the full lecture: Polity Bramhastra — Indian Parliament on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and can be dissolved, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by MLAs, represents the states, and is a permanent House.
Which House is more powerful?
The Lok Sabha is more powerful, especially on financial matters (Money Bills) and in controlling the government (no-confidence motion).
Why is the Rajya Sabha called a permanent House?
Because it is never fully dissolved — only one-third of its members retire every two years.
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