The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

Vocabulary flashcards defined from the Grade 8 Civics lecture transcript on the Indian Parliamentary System, covering core concepts, legislative processes, executive roles, state-level structures, and constitutional lists.

Universal Adult Franchise

A principle that guarantees all adult citizens of the country the right to vote irrespective of their social or economic background, gender, race, or religion.

Parliament

The supreme legislative body of the government that makes laws for the country, comprises all elected representatives of the people, and controls and guides the work of the government.

Samvidhan Sadan

The old Parliament building constructed in the 1920s where the Constituent Assembly met for its deliberations.

Lok Sabha

The House of the People (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament, whose members are directly elected by the people of India.

Rajya Sabha

The Council of States (Upper House) of the Indian Parliament, whose Members of Parliament are elected indirectly by an electoral college.

Bicameral System

A legislative structure consisting of two houses or chambers.

Sengol

A gold-plated, silver sceptre dating back to the Chola period, topped with Nandi symbolising justice, handed over on 14 August 1947 as a symbol of the transfer of power and righteous rule.

Union Executive

The branch of government responsible for giving life to legislative functions and implementing laws, consisting of the President, the Vice President, and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Bill

A draft of a proposed law that needs to be approved by the parliament before it can be enacted into law.

86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002

An amendment that introduced Article 21A to the Constitution, mandating that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee consisting of MPs that scrutinises government activities, makes recommendations, and asks questions on actions taken by the government.

Clause

Parts of a bill that explain its specific details.

Gazette

An official government publication that announces legal documents and official information.

Money Bill

A draft law concerned with financial matters such as taxation and government borrowing, which can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President.

Question Hour

A select period (typically the first hour of a Parliamentary session) where MPs can ask ministers questions about government policies and activities to hold the Executive accountable.

President of India

The Head of State and nominal head of the Executive who appoints the Prime Minister and ministers, summons Parliament, and gives assent to bills.

Prime Minister of India

The de facto executive authority in India's parliamentary democracy and leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha.

Civil Servants

A permanent group of officials (administrators or bureaucrats) who work under the direction of ministers to ensure smooth functioning of government departments and implementation of laws.

Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying laws, resolving disputes, and acting as the custodian of the Constitution to maintain checks and balances.

Union List

A constitutional list defining specific subjects on which the Union government has exclusive power to legislate.

State List

A constitutional list defining specific subjects on which State governments have exclusive power to legislate.

Concurrent List

A constitutional list containing subjects (such as education and environmental policy) on which both the Union and State governments can legislate.

Vidhan Sabha

The legislative assembly of a state in India.

Vidhan Parishad

The legislative council (upper house) present in states that have a bicameral system of governance.