The Union Parliament — Question 2
Back to all questions(a) Three legislative powers of the Union Parliament are-
- Matters in the Union List — The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws on all the subjects mentioned in the Union List, including important subjects like Defence, Banking, Communications, Foreign Affairs, etc.
- Matters in the Concurrent List — Along with the State Legislative Assemblies, the Parliament can make laws on the subjects listed in the Concurrent List, for example education, forests, adoption, succession, trade union. If there is a conflict between the Union Parliament and the State Legislature on any law in this list, the Union Law will prevail.
- Residuary Powers — The Parliament possesses residuary powers. It means that it can make laws with respect to all those matters which are not mentioned in any of the three Lists — the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
(b) Three financial powers of the Union Parliament are-
- The Budget — The Parliament passes the Union Budget containing the estimates of receipts and expenditure of the Government for a financial year. The Railway Budget was integrated with the Union budget from 2017-18.
- Supplementary Grants — If the amount authorised for the current financial year is not sufficient, the Government may make a fresh demand known as the 'Supplementary Grant.'
- Salaries — The salaries and allowances of MPs and Ministers are determined by Parliament.
(c) Four executive powers of the Union Parliament are-
- Vote of No-Confidence — If a Government acts against the Constitutional provisions, it can be voted out of office by passing a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister, or the Ministry as a whole or any of its members. In such a case, the whole Ministry has to resign.
- Adjournment Motion — Motion for adjournment is aimed at censuring the acts of omission and commission of the Ministers.
- Other Motions of Censure — The Parliament exercises its control over the Government by other motions which, if passed, amount to no-confidence. They include: motions of censure against a minister, rejection of a Government Bill, passing of a private member's bill against the wishes of the Government, etc.
- Monetary Controls — During the budget session a cut motion may be moved. Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts ensures that public money is spent in accordance with Parliament's decision. It examines reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
Chapter Overview: The Union Parliament
The Indian Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, consisting of the President and two Houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Parliament makes laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List, controls the executive through questions and motions, approves the budget, and can amend the Constitution.
The Lok Sabha has a maximum of 552 members elected directly by the people for a 5-year term. The Rajya Sabha has a maximum of 250 members, of whom 238 are elected by state legislatures and 12 are nominated by the President. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with one-third members retiring every two years. Parliament ensures democratic governance, represents the will of the people, and acts as a check on executive power through debates, committees, and no-confidence motions.
Board Exam Weightage: 6-7 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | House of the People / Lower House | Council of States / Upper House |
| Maximum members | 552 | 250 |
| Election | Direct election by people | Indirect election by state legislatures + 12 nominated |
| Term | 5 years (can be dissolved earlier) | Permanent body; members serve 6-year terms |
| Presiding officer | Speaker | Vice-President of India (ex-officio Chairman) |
| Money Bill | Can only be introduced here; has final say | Can only suggest amendments (within 14 days) |
Must-Know Concepts
- Functions of Parliament: Legislative (law-making), financial (budget approval), executive control (question hour, no-confidence motion), constituent (amending Constitution), judicial (impeachment)
- Money Bill vs Ordinary Bill: Money Bills can only originate in Lok Sabha; Ordinary Bills can originate in either House
- Joint Session: Called by the President when Houses disagree on an Ordinary Bill; presided by the Speaker
- Question Hour: First hour of parliamentary session for asking questions to ministers — key accountability tool
- No-Confidence Motion: If passed in Lok Sabha, the entire Council of Ministers must resign
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing that the Rajya Sabha can be dissolved — it is a permanent body; only the Lok Sabha can be dissolved
- Confusing the Speaker (Lok Sabha) with the Chairman (Vice-President, Rajya Sabha)
- Stating that Money Bills need Rajya Sabha approval — Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days
- Forgetting that the President is part of Parliament (Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha)
Scoring Tips
- Comparison questions between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are very common — prepare thoroughly
- Know the legislative process: introduction, committee stage, passing, presidential assent
- Mention specific articles where relevant (Art. 79: Parliament, Art. 110: Money Bill definition)
- For Lok Sabha superiority, cite: Money Bill control, no-confidence motion, larger representation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha?
The Lok Sabha has exclusive control over Money Bills, can pass no-confidence motions against the government, has more members in a joint session (ensuring majority), and directly represents the people through universal adult suffrage.
What is a Joint Session of Parliament?
When the two Houses deadlock on an Ordinary Bill, the President summons a joint session presided by the Lok Sabha Speaker. The bill is passed by a simple majority of members present and voting from both Houses combined.
Who are the 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha?
The President nominates 12 members who have distinguished themselves in literature, science, art, and social service. This ensures representation of experts who may not win elections but can contribute valuable knowledge to legislation.