Union Legislature - Lecture 2 Part 2 (VOCABULARY flashcards)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering core concepts, roles, procedures, and rules relating to the Indian Union Legislature as discussed in the video lecture.

Union Legislature

The national parliament of India at the union level, comprising the President, Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People); it is bicameral.

Bicameral Legislature

A two-chamber legislature, here the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, whose existence ensures deliberation and slows hasty decisions.

Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

The upper house of India's Parliament; known as the House of Elders; chaired by the Vice President (ex officio), with a Deputy Chairman and a panel of vice chairs for presiding in absence.

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

The lower house of India's Parliament; MPs are elected; main forum for ordinary lawmaking and government accountability.

Ordinary lawmaking power

Power to make laws on matters in the union list and concurrent list, forming the core legislative function.

Constituent power

Powers of Parliament to amend the Constitution, subject to the basic structure.

Authentic source of information

Parliament acts as the primary, authoritative source of information about government actions and policies.

Supplier of the executive

Parliament holds the government to account and underpins the executive through oversight and approvals.

Custodian of the public purse

Parliament controls public finances through budget and appropriation powers.

Quasi-judicial functions

Parliament’s functions that resemble judiciary actions, including removal/impeachment processes for high offices (e.g., President, Vice President, judges, CEC, UPSC chair).

All India Service (AIS)

A national cadre created by Parliament’s special powers (Article 312) that serves across states.

Article 312

Constitutional provision enabling Parliament to create All India Services.

Article 249

Constitutional provision enabling Parliament to legislate on a state list in national interest.

Article 67(1)/(b)

Constitutional provision related to the removal of the Vice President of India.

Rajya Sabha (House of Elders)

Upper house; represents states; acts as a revising chamber with special powers and longer tenure for some members.

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Lower house; directly elected; primary body for government formation, budget, and confidence matters.

Qualification/Disqualification of Rajya Sabha MPs

Rules governing who can be elected to or disqualified from Rajya Sabha membership.

Special powers of Rajya Sabha

Exclusive powers such as Article 312 AIS, Article 249 national interest lawmaking, and special provisions for Vice President removal, etc.

Office of Profit

Disqualification criterion for MPs: holding a government office of profit (under Govt of India/state) may disqualify; includes four tested conditions and possible exemptions by Parliament.

Four conditions of Office of Profit

(1) there is an office; (2) it is an office of profit; (3) under government; (4) exemption by Parliament by law.

Speaker (Lok Sabha)

Presiding officer of Lok Sabha; must be an MP; elected by simple majority; can be removed by an effective majority; does not vote in the first instance.

Casting vote

The Speaker’s deciding vote to break a tie in Lok Sabha debates; cast only when there is no clear majority.

Deputy Speaker (Lok Sabha)

Second presiding officer of Lok Sabha; elected by simple majority; can be removed by effective majority; presides in the absence of the Speaker.

Panel of 10 Chairpersons

A set of MPs from various parties nominated by the Speaker to preside when the Speaker/Deputy Speaker are absent; not a constitutional provision but a rule-based arrangement.

Speaker Pro Tem

Temporary presiding officer appointed to administer oath to newly elected MPs and to preside over the election of the Speaker; not a constitutional post; decided by government and President on PM’s advice.

Senior-most member (Speaker Pro Tem selection)

Traditionally the senior Lok Sabha member chosen as Speaker Pro Tem; selection has shifted over time based on Lok Sabha seniority rules.

Leader of the House (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha)

Prime Minister as Leader of the House if he is an MP; otherwise a senior minister appointed by the government.

Leader of the Opposition

The single largest opposition party’s leader recognized by the Speaker; a statutory post under the Leader of Opposition Act, 1977; carries cabinet rank and designated privileges.

One-tenth rule (Mavlankar Rule)

A guideline historically used to determine the Leader of the Opposition’s recognition (parties with more than one-tenth of seats are recognized); later interpreted by practice in different ways.

VIP (Whips) in Parliament

Whips (one-line, two-line, three-line) signaling party discipline; three-line whip is binding under anti-defection law; one-line/two-line may not incur penalties.

Floor Manager / Chief Whip

MP who communicates party strategy and ensures MPs attend and vote as instructed; chief whip acts as liaison between party and MPs.

President’s Address

Speech to both Houses after general elections and at the start of each year’s session; text prepared by the Cabinet; followed by Vote of Thanks.

Governor’s Address (state)

Analogous to President’s Address at the state level; text prepared by the state cabinet for the governor to deliver.

Sessions of Parliament

Meetings of Parliament; traditionally Budget, Monsoon, and Winter sessions; can include Special Sessions as called by government.

Adjournment

A brief break within an ongoing session; may be with a specified date/time or without (adjournment sine die).

Prorogation

Termination of a parliamentary session by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; pending business may lapse.

Dissolution

Dissolution of Lok Sabha (not Rajya Sabha, which is permanent); triggers general elections; PM’s advice to the President is influential; some bills may survive if certain conditions are met.

Joint Sitting

A sitting of both Houses convened by the President to resolve deadlocks on certain bills; not every deadlock triggers a joint sitting.

Privileges and Immunities of Parliament

Powers to represent constituents fearlessly and to protect MPs from court actions for statements or votes in Parliament; collective and individual privileges exist, defined by law and historic precedent.

Contempt and Punishment

Parliament’s power to punish contempt of its authority and to discipline outsiders or MPs for breaches of its privileges.

Sita Soren v. Union of India (2024)

A landmark case revisiting immunity and bribery prosecutions related to voting in Parliament, clarifying limits of immunity for votes and statements.