Parliament (Articles 79–122)
📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet
- Constitutional Structure: Established under Part V Chapter II (Articles 79 to 122). Comprises the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
- Functioning Decline Trends (PRS Data):
- Lok Sabha sitting days: Average sitting days dropped from 121 days (1950s) to 58 days (2014–2024) (a decline of over 50%).
- Committee Referrals: Bills referred to Parliamentary Committees dropped to a record low of 16% under the 17th Lok Sabha, reflecting reduced scrutiny.
- Divergence Split (Rajya Sabha vs. Lok Sabha):
- Rajya Sabha (Article 80): 250 max members (238 representing states/UTs, 12 nominated by the President for literature, science, art, and social service). Electors are elected MLAs of states via proportional representation (STV).
- Lok Sabha (Article 81): 550 max members (directly elected). Seat allocation frozen at the 1971 Census; constituency boundaries frozen at the 2001 Census; both frozen until the first census post-2026.
- Disqualification Milestones:
- Anti-Defection (10th Schedule): Added by 52nd CAA, 1985. 91st CAA (2003) abolished the 1/3rd "split" exemption; now only a wholesale merger (2/3rd legislative party) shields members from defection penalties.
- conviction Cap (RPA 1951 Sec 8(3)): Sentencing of 2+ years triggers immediate disqualification (Lily Thomas v. Union, 2013). If the conviction is stayed by an appellate court, the disqualification is also stayed (Lok Prahari, 2018).
- Joint Sitting (Article 108) Presiding Order: 1. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, 2. Deputy Speaker, 3. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (VP) cannot preside as they are not a member of either House.
Lok Sabha Annual Sitting Days (Decadal Average)
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Bills Referred to Parliamentary Committees (%)
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1. COMPOSITION & LIFE CYCLES OF HOUSES
COMPOSITION & LIFE CYCLES OF HOUSES
COMPOSITION & LIFE CYCLES OF HOUSES
| Analyze key facts and concepts related to COMPOSITION & LIFE CYCLES OF HOUSES. | - | Constitutional Parameter | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | House Character | Permanent body; not subject to dissolution (Article 83(1)). | Temporary body; standard 5-year term from its first meeting. | | Retirement Tiers | One-third of members retire every second year; individual terms last 6 years. | Entire House dissolves at the end of its 5-year term or earlier. | | Emergency Extensions | Permanent; unaffected by emergencies. | Term can be extended by Parliament by 1 year at a time, up to 6 months after the emergency ends. | | Minimum Age | 30 years (Article 84(b)). | 25 years (Article 84(b)). | | UT Representation | Represented: Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir. | All UTs are represented. | |
2. STATUTORY POWERS, DISQUALIFICATIONS & MERGER RULES
STATUTORY POWERS, DISQUALIFICATIONS & MERGER RULES
STATUTORY POWERS, DISQUALIFICATIONS & MERGER RULES
| Analyze key facts and concepts related to STATUTORY POWERS, DISQUALIFICATIONS & MERGER RULES. | - Merger Exemption (Tenth Schedule): Under the 91st CAA, 2003, a split is no longer recognized. Defection penalties do not apply only if not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agree to merge with another party. Rulings in 2025 confirmed this wholesale merger requirement. - RPA 1951 Disqualification Limits: - Section 8(3): Conviction for any offense carrying a sentence of 2+ years triggers disqualification from the date of conviction and continues for 6 years post-release. - Lily Thomas Case (2013): The Supreme Court struck down Section 8(4), which had allowed a 3-month grace period for appeals. Disqualification is now immediate upon conviction. - Vacation of Seats (Article 101): - Dual Membership: A member elected to both Houses of Parliament must indicate within 10 days which House they wish to serve in, or their Rajya Sabha seat is vacated. - Absence: A seat is declared vacant if a member is absent for 60 consecutive days without permission. |
3. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BILLS
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BILLS
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BILLS
| Analyze key facts and concepts related to COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BILLS. | - The Constitution outlines four major types of legislative bills, each with distinct procedures: ```text [Four Major Tiers of Bills] / | \ [Ordinary Bills] [Money Bills] [Financial Bills] [Amendment Bills] Art 107-108; either Art 110; LS only; Art 117; Category Art 368; either house; house; joint sittings LS Speaker rules I & II; joint sitting special majority only; allowed on deadlock on certification allowed on deadlock no joint sittings ``` |
| Detail the concepts and significance of I. Money Bills (Article 110). | I. Money Bills (Article 110)- Introduction: Lok Sabha only, on the prior recommendation of the President. - Speaker's Authority: The Speaker's certification that a bill is a Money Bill is final and binding. It cannot be questioned in court, by either House, or by the President (subject to limited review per the Aadhaar Case). - Rajya Sabha Scope: Extremely limited. Must return the bill within 14 days with or without recommendations. The Lok Sabha can accept or reject any of these recommendations. - Presidential Assent: The President can give or withhold assent, but cannot return a Money Bill for reconsideration. |
| Detail the concepts and significance of II. Financial Bills (Article 117). | II. Financial Bills (Article 117)- Category I (Article 117(1)): Contains Article 110 matters plus general legislation. Can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on prior presidential recommendation. The Rajya Sabha has full power to reject or amend it, and deadlocks are resolved via a Joint Sitting. - Category II (Article 117(3)): Involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI). Can be introduced in either House; prior recommendation is not needed for introduction, but is required at the consideration stage. |
| Detail the concepts and significance of III. Lapsing of Bills on Lok Sabha Dissolution. | III. Lapsing of Bills on Lok Sabha DissolutionThe status of pending bills upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha is governed by strict rules: - Bills that LAPSE:
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4. PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES & RULES (ARTICLE 105)
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES & RULES (ARTICLE 105)
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES & RULES (ARTICLE 105)
| Analyze key facts and concepts related to PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES & RULES (ARTICLE 105). | - Freedom of Speech (Article 105(1) & (2)): No member is liable to any court proceedings for anything said or any vote given in Parliament or its committees. - Freedom from Arrest: Members cannot be arrested during a session of Parliament and 40 days before and after a session. - Critical Limitation: This immunity applies only to civil cases. It does not protect members from arrest in criminal cases or preventive detention. - Conduct of Judges (Article 121): No discussion can take place in Parliament regarding the conduct of a Supreme Court or High Court judge in the discharge of their duties, except during removal proceedings. |
🎯 UPSC Prelims 2026 Questions & Explanations
| Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by ... | - Question 83: Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India: 1. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House. 2. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer. 3. No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question. Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct? (a) All the three statements are correct. (b) There are two correct statements, that include statement 2. (c) There is only one correct statement. (d) There is no correct statement. because it is a key mechanism of parliamentary accountability and executive oversight. UPSC asks such questions to test understanding of parliamentary procedures, transparency, and democratic governance Correct Answer: (C) Key Concepts & Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Unstarred questions are those for which a written reply is sought from the Government and the answer is laid on the Table of the House. No oral answer is given in the House, and supplementary questions are not permitted. Therefore, the description provided in the statement actually corresponds to a starred question. In the Chair, but have a query': A rare moment when presiding officer participated in US Question Hour. Hour no.icimetim.com/news/politics-and-nation/in-the-chair- supplementary questions cannot follow in a starred question, they can follow for an unstarred question. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a)1 only (b)2 only (c)Both 1 and 2 (d)Neither 1 nor 2 Year Asked: Prelims 2026 |
QUICK REVISION BOX
- Union Composition: Article 79 defines Parliament as President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha Cap: 250 max members; elected by state MLAs via proportional representation (STV).
- Lok Sabha Cap: 550 max members; direct election; seats frozen using the 1971 Census under the 84th CAA.
- Tenth Schedule Merger: Under the 91st CAA, defection is avoided only if 2/3rd of the legislative party merges.
- Immediate Disqualification: Established in Lily Thomas (2013) for convictions carrying a sentence of 2+ years (no 3-month grace period).
- Article 108 Joint Sittings: Initiated by the President for ordinary/financial bills. Presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker. The VP is barred from presiding.
- Money Bill Limits: Article 110 bills are Lok Sabha exclusive; Rajya Sabha has a strict 14-day limit; Speaker's certification is final.
- Privilege Immunity: Article 105 civil arrest immunity is valid for 40 days before and after sessions. Does not apply to criminal cases.
- Lame Ducks: Members of the existing Lok Sabha who fail to secure re-election to the new Lok Sabha.
- IPU 2025 Summit: Held in Tashkent; India is an active member participating in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians.
Notes updated up to March 2026. Sources: ECI RPA Manual, Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure.