The Union Legislature

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, membership, functions, and legislative powers of the Indian Union Legislature (Parliament).

Union Legislature

The central body in India that operates at the center and makes laws, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Legislature

The organ of the government responsible for making laws.

Organs of Government

Divided into three branches: the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive.

Lok Sabha

Also known as the lower house, with a maximum strength of $550$ members.

Lok Sabha Composition

Includes $530$ members elected from the states and $20$ members from the union territories.

Lok Sabha Term

Elected for a term of $5$ years using adult franchise.

Rajya Sabha

Also known as the upper house, with a maximum strength of $250$ members.

Rajya Sabha Composition

Includes $238$ members representing the states and $12$ members elected by the president in the fields of art, science, and literature.

Rajya Sabha Term

Elected for a term of $6$ years.

Qualifying Age for Lok Sabha

A minimum of $25$ years.

Qualifying Age for Rajya Sabha

A minimum of $30$ years.

Personal Qualifications for Parliament

A citizen of India who possesses sound mental health, has no other government job, and is not insolvent, bankrupt, or from a criminal background.

Speaker

The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha who does not exercise a vote except to help one side win in the case of a tie.

Chairman

The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, who is the vice president.

Union List

A list of subjects where the union has power to make laws, including defense, finance, banking, foreign affairs, import, export, post and telegraph, railways, airways, shipping, and currency.

State List

Subjects of state-level importance including law and order, police, land, and revenue.

Concurrent List

A list of subjects on which both houses of the legislature have the power to make decisions.

Budget

A document presented by the finance minister that discusses the government's income, planned expenditure, and tax proposals.

Power to Impeach

The parliament's authority to remove the president, vice president, and judges of the high courts and supreme courts if they do not abide by the laws.

Bill

A law introduced in proposal form; types include ordinary, money, and constitution amendment bills.

Money Bill

A specific type of bill that can only be passed by the Lok Sabha.

Constitutional Amendment Bill

A bill that requires both houses; if the Rajya Sabha disagrees, the bill is rejected.