Key Concepts of Indian Legislature and Parliament

Role of the Legislature

The Legislature is the law-making body responsible for enacting, amending, and repealing laws.

Types of legislatures

Unicameral (single house) and Bicameral (two houses).

Composition of the Indian Parliament

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President.

Members in the Lok Sabha

545 members (543 elected + 2 nominated from the Anglo-Indian community).

Term of the Lok Sabha

5 years, unless dissolved earlier.

Head of the Lok Sabha

The Speaker.

Election of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Elected by Lok Sabha members.

Minimum age for Lok Sabha member

25 years.

Election of Lok Sabha members

Directly elected by the people of India.

Members in the Rajya Sabha

250 members (238 elected + 12 nominated by the President).

Term of a Rajya Sabha member

6 years, with 1/3rd members retiring every 2 years.

Head of the Rajya Sabha

The Vice-President of India (ex-officio Chairman).

Minimum age for Rajya Sabha member

30 years.

Election of Rajya Sabha members

Elected by the members of State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs).

Types of Bills in Parliament

Ordinary Bill, Money Bill, Private Member Bill, Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Stages of a Bill before it becomes a law

First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading.

Deadlock resolution between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

A joint session is called to resolve the issue.

Final approval of a Bill

The President of India.

House that can introduce a Money Bill

Only the Lok Sabha.

Time limit for Rajya Sabha to return a Money Bill

14 days.

Decision on a Money Bill

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Types of parliamentary committees

Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.

Role of the Public Accounts Committee

Examines government spending and audits reports.

Function of the Estimates Committee

Suggests improvements in financial policies.

Constitutional head of a state

The Governor.

Real executive head of a state

The Chief Minister.

Appointment of the Governor

The President of India.

Types of State Legislatures

Unicameral (Legislative Assembly only) and Bicameral (Legislative Assembly + Legislative Council).

Article of the Constitution dealing with amendments

Article 368.

Types of constitutional amendments

Simple Majority, Special Majority, Special Majority + State Ratification.

First amendment of the Constitution passed

1951.

Definition of Money Bills

Article 110.

Languages for conducting business in Parliament

Article 120.

State Council of Ministers and role of the Chief Minister

Article 163.

Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in national interest

Article 249.

Creation of All-India Services

Article 312.

First Lok Sabha election held

1952.

Rajya Sabha first constituted

1952.

Women's Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

2010.

Right to Information (RTI) Act passed

2005.

First Private Member Bill passed

1952.