Parliament of India
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| Parliament of India | |
|---|---|
| Name | Parliament of India |
| Legislature | Bicameral |
| Houses | Rajya Sabha (Council of States), Lok Sabha (House of the People) |
| Foundation | 26 January 1950 |
| Preceded by | Constituent Assembly of India |
| Leader1 type | President of India |
| Leader1 | Droupadi Murmu |
| Election1 | 25 July 2022 |
| Leader2 type | Vice President of India, (Chairman, Rajya Sabha) |
| Leader2 | Jagdeep Dhankhar |
| Election2 | 11 August 2022 |
| Leader3 type | Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Leader3 | Om Birla |
| Election3 | 19 June 2019 |
| Leader4 type | Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha |
| Leader4 | Harivansh Narayan Singh |
| Election4 | 14 September 2020 |
| Leader5 type | Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Leader5 | Vacant |
| Members | 788, 245 Rajya Sabha, 543 Lok Sabha |
| House1 | Rajya Sabha |
| House2 | Lok Sabha |
| Meeting place | Parliament House, New Delhi |
| Website | https://sansad.in/ |
Parliament of India. The supreme legislative body of the Republic of India, it is a bicameral legislature composed of the President of India and two houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). It derives its authority and structure from the Constitution of India, which established it upon the nation's transition to a republic on 26 January 1950, succeeding the Constituent Assembly of India. The Parliament holds the central role in the nation's democracy, vested with the critical functions of lawmaking, overseeing the executive, and controlling national finances.
History
The institution's origins trace back to the colonial-era Imperial Legislative Council, established under the Government of India Act 1858. This body evolved through subsequent reforms like the Government of India Act 1919 and the Government of India Act 1935, which introduced a measure of diarchy and a federal legislature. Following independence in 1947, the sovereign Constituent Assembly of India, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar, served as the provisional parliament while drafting the constitution. The first general elections under the new constitution were held in 1951–52, leading to the formation of the first Parliament, which was inaugurated by President Rajendra Prasad.
Structure and composition
The Parliament operates as a bicameral system. The upper house, the Rajya Sabha, is a permanent body not subject to dissolution, with up to 250 members; most are elected by the legislative assemblies of states and union territories using proportional representation, while the President can nominate 12 members distinguished in fields like art, science, and social service. The lower house, the Lok Sabha, has a maximum strength of 552 members directly elected by adult franchise from parliamentary constituencies across the country; its term is five years unless dissolved earlier. The President of India is an integral part of Parliament, giving assent to bills for them to become law.
Functions and powers
Its primary function is legislation, covering all matters in the Union List and Concurrent List under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. It holds exclusive power to amend the Constitution. Parliament exercises control over the Council of Ministers through mechanisms like Question Hour, no-confidence motions, and parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee. It possesses supreme financial authority, as no tax can be levied nor any expenditure incurred without its approval through the annual budget and Appropriation Bills. It also plays a key role in matters of national importance like proclamation of emergency and the creation of new states.
Sessions and procedures
Parliament must meet at least twice a year, with sessions convened by the President on the advice of the Cabinet. The three standard sessions are the Budget session, Monsoon session, and Winter session. Legislative business follows a detailed procedure: a bill may be introduced in either house (except Money bills, which originate only in the Lok Sabha), must pass through three readings, and then receive the President's assent. Key parliamentary devices include the Zero Hour for raising urgent issues, and various types of motions like adjournment motions to discuss matters of urgent public importance.
Parliament House
The institution is housed in the iconic circular Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) in the heart of New Delhi, part of the Central Vista. Designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, it was opened in 1927 as the Council House for the Imperial Legislative Council. The complex includes separate chambers for the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, along with libraries and committee rooms. A new triangular Parliament building was inaugurated in 2023 to augment the existing infrastructure.
Significance and role
As the cornerstone of Indian democracy, it represents the will of the people and ensures accountability of the executive. It serves as a national forum for debate on critical issues, from foreign policy to social reform. Through its committees, like the Estimates Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings, it conducts detailed scrutiny of government functioning. The institution's resilience has been tested during periods like the Internal Emergency (1975–77), underscoring its vital role in upholding constitutional democracy and the rule of law in India.
Category:National legislatures Category:Bicameral legislatures Category:Government of India