The Union Legislature

ICSE Class 8 · History & Civics · Chapter 12

What this chapter covers

Government has three organs: the legislature makes laws, the executive enforces them and the judiciary interprets them.
Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha; it is a bicameral legislature.
The Lok Sabha has up to 550 elected members (543 at present), directly elected by universal adult franchise for five years.
A Lok Sabha member must be a citizen, at least 25 years old, on the voters' list and not holding an office of profit.
The Speaker, elected by the Lok Sabha, presides, keeps order, has a casting vote, certifies money bills and presides over joint sittings.
The Rajya Sabha has up to 250 members (245 at present), including 12 nominated by the President; state members are elected by the state Legislative Assemblies.
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House: members serve six years and one-third retire every two years; the minimum age is 30.
The Vice-President is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; the House also elects a Deputy Chairman.
Parliament has legislative, financial, executive-control, electoral, judicial, amending and deliberative functions.
Both Houses are equal on ordinary and constitutional bills; the Lok Sabha is stronger on money bills and control of the government; the Rajya Sabha has special powers over State List subjects and all-India services.