Parliament of India

The Parliament of India is established by the Constitution of India, which defines it as the central legislative authority. It follows a bicameral model, meaning it consists of two separate chambers. The President of India is an integral part of the Parliament, though not a member of either house, as all bills require presidential assent to become law.

The two houses are the Rajya Sabha, known as the Council of States, and the Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People. The Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories of India, while the Lok Sabha represents the citizens directly through general elections.

The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of Parliament and serves as a permanent body that is not subject to dissolution. Instead, one third of its members retire every second year, ensuring continuity in the legislative process. Members are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories through a system of proportional representation.

The Vice President of India serves as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The house plays a crucial role in representing state interests and providing a check on the lower house, particularly regarding legislation that impacts state rights.

The Lok Sabha is the lower house and is the primary legislative chamber where the government is held accountable. Members are directly elected by the people of India through universal adult suffrage based on territorial constituencies. Unlike the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha has a fixed term of five years unless dissolved earlier by the President.

The Lok Sabha holds significant power over financial matters. Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and the house has the final say in matters regarding the national budget and taxation. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over its proceedings and maintains order within the chamber.

The primary function of the Parliament is to make laws on subjects listed in the Union List and the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. It also holds the power to amend the Constitution through specific legislative procedures. The Parliament exercises control over the executive through various mechanisms such as questions, adjournment motions, and votes of no confidence.

In addition to lawmaking, Parliament performs important judicial and financial functions. It can impeach the President and remove judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. It also approves the annual budget and oversees the expenditure of the central government to ensure fiscal accountability.

The leadership of Parliament is divided among several key roles. The President of India performs ceremonial and constitutional duties, such as summoning and proroguing sessions. The Vice President acts as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, while the Speaker manages the Lok Sabha.

Each house has its own secretariat to manage administrative tasks. Parliamentary committees, including standing committees and ad hoc committees, play a vital role in the detailed scrutiny of bills and departmental functioning. These committees allow for more focused and expert-led deliberation than the main floor of the houses.