Indian Government and Parliament

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, composition, powers, and procedures of the Indian Union Government and Parliament.

Federal Form of Government

A system of government with various levels of governance whose aim is to bring unity in diversity by harmonising opposing forces to achieve common national goals.

Parliament (Sansad)

The bicameral union legislature of India, consisting of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Union Executive

The organ of the union government comprising the President of India (Rashtrapati) and the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Supreme Court of India

The highest apex court in India, which has a maximum of $34$ judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

Universal Adult Franchise

The constitutional provision granting all citizens who are $18$ or more than $18$ years of age the right to vote in elections.

Three Legislative Lists

The constitutional division of subjects into three distinct lists to ensure the Union and State governments have definite legislative jurisdictions without conflict or overlapping functions.

Legislative Powers of Parliament

The authority of Parliament as the highest law-making body to enact laws on all subjects enlisted in the Union List, Concurrent List, and Residuary subjects.

Collective Responsibility

The constitutional principle in a parliamentary democracy dictating that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Vote of No-Confidence

A parliamentary motion that, if passed against any single minister, compels the entire Council of Ministers to resign collectively.

Question Hour

The specific period during parliamentary proceedings when members ask questions to exercise control over the executive.

Financial Powers of Parliament

The authority of Parliament to approve the central government's annual budget; without this approval, the government cannot impose taxes or incur expenditures.

Money Bill

A financial proposal that can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha; if the Rajya Sabha makes recommendations on it, the Lok Sabha may choose whether to accept them.

Constitutional Amendment Power

The equal power shared by both houses of Parliament to introduce and separately pass bills seeking to amend the Constitution.

Impeachment

The parliamentary procedure adopted to remove the President, Supreme Court judges, and High Court judges from office.

Electoral Functions of Parliament

The official duty of Members of Parliament to exercise their voting rights to elect the President and Vice President of India.

Speaker of Lok Sabha

The officer elected from the majority party who presides over Lok Sabha meetings, maintains decorum, can adjourn the House, receives petitions and documents, and presides over joint sittings.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

The parliamentary officer elected from the opposition party who chairs the meetings of the Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker.

Rajya Sabha

The permanent house of Parliament that can never be dissolved, having a maximum strength of $250$ members with individual terms of $6$ years.

Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha

The $12$ distinguished personalities chosen by the President of India who excel in fields such as Art, Literature, Science, Social Service, and Sports.

Elected Members of Rajya Sabha

The $238$ members chosen by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, representing the States and two Union Territories (Delhi and Puducherry).

Qualifications for Rajya Sabha Membership

The eligibility criteria requiring a candidate to be a citizen of India, at least $30$ years of age, and registered in the voters' list.

Joint Sitting of Parliament

A combined meeting of both houses of Parliament, presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker, where legislative disagreements are settled by a majority vote.