Structure of the Indian Parliament – Detailed Overview

1. What is the Indian Parliament?

The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative authority at the Union level.
Part V of the Constitution (Articles 79–122) governs its composition, powers, procedures, duration, officers, privileges, and legislative functions.
Functions as a bicameral legislature to ensure adequate representation and accountability.

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2. Composition of Parliament

Parliament comprises three components:

President of India
Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – Upper House
House of the People (Lok Sabha) – Lower House

Role of the President:

Integral part of Parliament, though not a member of either House.
Powers include:
Summoning or proroguing Parliament sessions.
Giving assent to bills (without which a bill cannot become law).
Addressing the Houses at the start of each year and first session after general elections.
Issuing ordinances when Parliament is not in session.

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3. Bicameral Legislature in India

Purpose of two Houses:

Deal with diversity and complexity in governance.
Represent both people (Lok Sabha) and states/territories (Rajya Sabha).

Feature	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Composition	Max 550 members (530 Elected + 20 Union Territories)	Max 250 members (238 Elected by states/UTs + 12 nominated by President)
Term	5 years (Article 83); can be dissolved earlier	Permanent body; 1/3 members retire every 2 years; term of member = 6 years
Qualification	Citizen of India, ≥25 years, voter in any constituency	Citizen of India, ≥30 years, voter in any constituency
Disqualification	Article 102, RPA 1951; Anti-defection under Tenth Schedule	Article 102, RPA 1951; Anti-defection under Tenth Schedule
Presiding Officer	Speaker & Deputy Speaker (Article 93)	Vice-President = ex-officio Chairman; Deputy Chairman elected by members (Article 89)

Key Notes:

104th Amendment (2020) removed the reserved seats for Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha allocation based on Fourth Schedule of Constitution.

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4. Membership & Disqualification

Disqualifications include:

Holding office of profit (except allowed offices).
Unsound mind, insolvency, foreign allegiance.
Conviction for certain crimes or election offences.
Defection under Anti-Defection Act, 1985:
Voluntarily leaving political party
Voting against party direction
Independents joining a party
Nominated members joining a party after 6 months

Vacancy of Seats:

Double membership: Must resign one seat.
Resignation, death, disqualification, absence >60 days without permission.
Elected President or appointed Governor.
Election declared void or expelled by the House.

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5. Presiding Officers

House	Presiding Officer	Deputies	Removal
Lok Sabha	Speaker (elected by members; remains even after dissolution)	Deputy Speaker; Panel of Chairpersons (up to 10 members)	By majority of members of Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha	Vice President of India (ex-officio)	Deputy Chairman; Panel of Vice-Chairpersons	Chairman removed by majority with Lok Sabha consent; Deputy by majority of RS members

Powers of Panel Members:

Preside over House in absence of Speaker/Chairman.
Exercise all powers of the Speaker/Chairman when presiding.

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6. Key Functions of Parliament

Legislative: Make laws on Union, State (Concurrent) subjects; approve budgets.
Financial Control: Approve government expenditure, taxation, and borrowing.
Representative: Lok Sabha represents people; Rajya Sabha represents states.
Oversight: Question hours, debates, motions, committees monitor executive.
Constitutional Amendments: Parliament can amend Constitution under Articles 368.
Electoral & Appointments: Indirectly participates in election of President, Vice-President; approves certain appointments.

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7. Significance

Ensures democratic governance and separation of powers.
Balances state and central interests through bicameralism.
Protects federal structure while maintaining national unity.
Promotes accountability via questions, debates, and committee system.