The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, legislative concepts, constitutional bodies, and terminology from Chapter 6: The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive.

Universal Adult Franchise

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

Parliament

The supreme legislative body of the Indian government that makes laws for the country, comprising all elected and nominated representatives of the people.

Lok Sabha

The House of the People or Lower House of the Indian Parliament, whose representatives are directly elected by the citizens through universal adult suffrage.

Rajya Sabha

The Council of States or Upper House of the Indian Parliament, which represents the states and is elected indirectly by an electoral college.

Bicameral System

A legislative structure consisting of two houses or chambers, derived from 'bi' meaning two and 'cameral' meaning chamber or house.

Samvidhan Sadan

The official name of India's old Parliament building, constructed in the 1920s, where the Constituent Assembly met for its deliberations.

Federalism

A form of government where power is distributed between the central government, state governments, and local governments to balance national unity and local interests.

Speaker

The presiding officer elected by the members of the Lok Sabha who conducts sessions, allows members to speak, maintains discipline, and ensures rules are followed.

Vice President of India

The official who acts as the presiding officer and chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

Sengol

A gold-plated, silver sceptre dating back to the Chola period with Nandi at its top, placed near the Speaker's chair in the Lok Sabha as a symbol of righteousness, dharma, and justice.

Sceptre

A decorated rod carried by a king or queen at ceremonies as a symbol of their power.

Union Executive

The executive branch of the central government, 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.

Act

An instrument through which a proposed law (bill) is officially brought into force after passing through Parliament and receiving Presidential assent.

Reading (of a Bill)

A stage in the lawmaking process, originating from the British Parliament, where Members of Parliament examine or hear the contents of a bill before discussions begin.

Clause

Specific parts or sections of a bill that explain its detailed provisions and scope.

Gazette

An official government publication that formally announces legal documents, acts, and official information.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee consisting of Members of Parliament that scrutinises government activities, examines bills, makes recommendations, and questions government actions.

Money Bill

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

Question Hour

A select period, typically the first hour of a Parliamentary session, where MPs ask ministers questions regarding government policies and activities to enforce executive accountability.

President of India

The Head of State and nominal head of the Executive in India, responsible for appointing the Prime Minister, summoning Parliament, and giving assent to bills.

Prime Minister

The de facto executive authority in India's parliamentary system who leads the Council of Ministers, advises the President, and shapes national policies.

Civil Servants

A permanent group of administrative officials, also known as administrators or bureaucrats, who work under ministers to implement laws and policies.

Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying laws, resolving disputes, safeguarding fundamental rights, and ensuring that government actions conform to the Constitution.

Vidhan Sabha

The Legislative Assembly serving as the lower (or sole) house of a state legislature, whose members (MLAs) formulate laws on state-level subjects.

Vidhan Parishad

The Legislative Council serving as the upper house of a state legislature in states with a bicameral system.

Union List

A list in the Constitution specifying subject areas on which the Union (central) government has exclusive authority to legislate.

State List

A list in the Constitution specifying subject areas on which state governments have exclusive authority to legislate.

Concurrent List

A list in the Constitution containing subjects, such as education and environmental policy, on which both the Union and State governments can make laws.

Productivity (Parliamentary)

A measurement in a parliamentary context calculated by comparing the number of hours the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha actually functioned against the time it was scheduled to function.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE)

A law enacted under Article 21A of the Constitution that mandates free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.