🏛 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: Full Details
1. Lok Sabha (House of the People)
Meaning: Lower House of Parliament of India.
Established: 1952
Maximum Strength: 552 members
530 from States
20 from Union Territories
2 nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (Note: Nomination discontinued after the 104th Constitutional Amendment, 2020)
Current Strength: 543 members
Tenure
5 years (can be dissolved earlier by the President on advice of Prime Minister).
During National Emergency, its term can be extended by 1 year at a time.
Qualification for Membership
Citizen of India
At least 25 years of age
Should not hold an office of profit under government
Must be registered as a voter in India
Presiding Officer
Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected by the members of Lok Sabha.
Speaker conducts proceedings and maintains order.
Powers of Lok Sabha
Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.
Confidence and No-Confidence Motions are moved only in Lok Sabha.
Controls the Council of Ministers through Question Hour, Zero Hour, Adjournment Motion etc.
Plays a key role in passing Budget and Laws.
2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
Meaning: Upper House of Parliament of India.
Established: 1952
Maximum Strength: 250 members
238 elected by States and Union Territories
12 nominated by the President for their contribution to arts, literature, science, and social services.
Current Strength: 245 members
Tenure
It is a permanent body and not subject to dissolution.
1/3rd of its members retire every 2 years.
Term of a member: 6 years.
Qualification for Membership
Citizen of India
At least 30 years of age
Should not hold an office of profit
Must be registered as a voter in India
Presiding Officer
Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Deputy Chairman is elected from among the members of Rajya Sabha.
Powers of Rajya Sabha
Reviews and revises Bills passed by Lok Sabha.
Can suggest amendments but cannot reject Money Bills.
Can authorise Parliament to make laws on State subjects (Article 249).
Plays a significant role in constitutional amendments and presidential elections.
⚖️ Comparison Table
Feature Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
Type Lower House Upper House
Maximum Members 552 250
Current Members 543 245
Term 5 years 6 years (1/3rd retires every 2 years)
Dissolution Yes No
Minimum Age 25 years 30 years
Presiding Officer Speaker Vice President
Money Bill Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha Can only make recommendations
Confidence Motion Only in Lok Sabha Not applicable
---
🧠 50 Important Questions with Answers
Basic Facts
1. Q: How many houses are there in the Indian Parliament?
A: Two — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
2. Q: What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha?
A: 552 members
3. Q: What is the current strength of Lok Sabha?
A: 543 members
4. Q: What is the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha?
A: 250 members
5. Q: What is the current strength of Rajya Sabha?
A: 245 members
6. Q: Who is the presiding officer of Lok Sabha?
A: Speaker
7. Q: Who is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
A: Vice President of India
8. Q: What is the term of Lok Sabha?
A: 5 years
9. Q: What is the term of a Rajya Sabha member?
A: 6 years
10. Q: Is Rajya Sabha a permanent body?
A: Yes
---
Membership and Qualifications
11. Q: Minimum age for Lok Sabha membership?
A: 25 years
12. Q: Minimum age for Rajya Sabha membership?
A: 30 years
13. Q: Who nominates 12 members to Rajya Sabha?
A: The President of India
14. Q: From which fields are members nominated to Rajya Sabha?
A: Arts, Literature, Science, and Social Service
15. Q: Can a person be a member of both Houses simultaneously?
A: No
16. Q: Who elects the members of Rajya Sabha?
A: Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
17. Q: Who elects the members of Lok Sabha?
A: People of India directly
18. Q: Which article of the Constitution deals with the composition of Parliament?
A: Article 79
19. Q: Which article deals with Lok Sabha?
A: Article 81
20. Q: Which article deals with Rajya Sabha?
A: Article 80
---
Powers and Functions
21. Q: Which house can introduce a Money Bill?
A: Lok Sabha
22. Q: Who decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill?
A: Speaker of Lok Sabha
23. Q: Which House has more powers over the Budget?
A: Lok Sabha
24. Q: Can Rajya Sabha reject a Money Bill?
A: No, only suggest amendments
25. Q: Who can move a No-Confidence Motion?
A: Lok Sabha
26. Q: Who represents the people of India?
A: Lok Sabha
27. Q: Who represents the States and Union Territories?
A: Rajya Sabha
28. Q: What happens when Lok Sabha is dissolved?
A: All business ends except for bills pending in Rajya Sabha
29. Q: What is a joint sitting of Parliament?
A: A session where both Houses meet together to resolve a deadlock
30. Q: Who presides over the joint sitting?
A: Speaker of Lok Sabha
---
Special Powers and Procedures
31. Q: Can Rajya Sabha authorise Parliament to make laws on State List?
A: Yes, under Article 249
32. Q: Who can introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill?
A: Either House
33. Q: What is Quorum in Lok Sabha?
A: 1/10th of total members
34. Q: What is Quorum in Rajya Sabha?
A: 1/10th of total members
35. Q: Who addresses the joint session of Parliament?
A: President of India
36. Q: When does the President address the Parliament?
A: At the beginning of the first session after each general election and every year
37. Q: Where does Parliament meet?
38. Q: How is the Speaker of Lok Sabha removed?
A: By resolution passed by a majority of all members of Lok Sabha
39. Q: Who presides over Lok Sabha in absence of Speaker and Deputy Speaker?
A: A member appointed by the President
40. Q: Who presides over Rajya Sabha in absence of Chairman?
A: Deputy Chairman
---
Facts and Miscellaneous
41. Q: First Speaker of Lok Sabha?
42. Q: First Woman Speaker of Lok Sabha?
A: Meira Kumar
43. Q: First Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
A: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
44. Q: How many sessions of Parliament are held every year?
A: Three — Budget, Monsoon, and Winter
45. Q: What is the minimum number of sessions required in a year?
A: Two
46. Q: What is the joint sitting mentioned in the Constitution?
A: Article 108
47. Q: Which house controls the executive?
A: Lok Sabha
48. Q: Which House is called the House of the People?
A: Lok Sabha
49. Q: Which House is called the Upper House?
A: Rajya Sabha
50. Q: Who summons and prorogues Parliament sessions?
A: President of India
