ICSE Class 10 Civics: Legislature of India — Parliament Notes 2026

Indian Parliament Structure

• Bicameral legislature: Lok Sabha (House of the People) + Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
• Lok Sabha: 543 elected + 2 Anglo-Indian nominated (removed by 104th Amendment 2020); 5-year term
• Rajya Sabha: 238 elected by state legislatures + 12 nominated by President; permanent house; 1/3 retire every 2 years

Powers of Lok Sabha

• Money Bills: introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only delay 14 days; final word with Lok Sabha
• Motion of no confidence: only in Lok Sabha; if passed, government must resign
• Budget: Lok Sabha controls government finances; passes Appropriation and Finance Bills

Powers of Rajya Sabha

• Special powers: Article 249 — enable Parliament to legislate on state subjects if Rajya Sabha passes resolution (2/3 majority)
• Article 312: create All India Services by resolution; Rajya Sabha has exclusive power here
• Rajya Sabha can delay Ordinary Bills (non-money) for maximum 6 months; deadlock → joint sitting

Legislative Process

• Ordinary Bill: introduced in either house; committee stage; 3 readings; passed by simple majority
• Money Bill: Lok Sabha only → Rajya Sabha (14 days, suggestions, not amend) → President assent
• Constitutional Amendment: 2/3 majority in both houses + ratification by half states (for some provisions)

Sessions of Parliament

• 3 sessions: Budget Session (Feb–May); Monsoon Session (Jul–Sep); Winter Session (Nov–Dec)
• President summons Parliament; minimum 2 sessions/year; no more than 6-month gap between sessions
• Question Hour: MPs question ministers; Zero Hour: matters of urgent public importance immediately after Question Hour

Functions of Parliament

• Legislative: makes laws on Union and Concurrent lists; amends Constitution
• Executive oversight: debates, question hour, no-confidence motion; accountability of executive to legislature
• Electoral: elects President and Vice-President; impeaches President; selects Lok Sabha Speaker

ICSE Civics Exam Tips

• Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha comparison: composition, term, special powers; 5-mark question common
• Money Bill vs Ordinary Bill: procedure and powers of each house; important distinction
• Speaker's powers: maintain order, casting vote, certify Money Bill — specific facts asked in ICSE