Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: Understanding the Two Houses of Indian Parliament

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are the two houses of the Indian Parliament, which is the supreme legislative body of India. The Lok Sabha is also known as the Lower House, while the Rajya Sabha is known as the Upper House. Together, they form the bicameral legislature of India.

The Lok Sabha is composed of members directly elected by the people of India, while the Rajya Sabha is composed of members elected by the state legislatures. The Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of 552 members, of which 530 are elected from the states, 20 are elected from the Union Territories, and two are nominated by the President of India to represent the Anglo-Indian community. The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, of which 238 are elected by the state legislatures and the remaining 12 are nominated by the President of India.

The Lok Sabha is responsible for the formation of the government, the introduction and passage of bills, and the holding of debates and discussions on important issues. The Prime Minister of India is a member of the Lok Sabha and is appointed by the President of India, who is also the head of the state. The Lok Sabha is also responsible for the impeachment of the President of India, if necessary.

The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, has a primarily advisory role, and its members are expected to bring the perspective of the states to the national level. The Rajya Sabha has the power to approve or reject bills passed by the Lok Sabha, and can also initiate bills on its own. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Both houses of Parliament meet in the Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) in New Delhi, which is located in the capital of India. The Lok Sabha is elected for a term of five years, while the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, with one-third of its members retiring every two years.

The functioning of the Indian Parliament is an important aspect of India’s democracy, as it provides a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues of national importance. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha work in tandem to ensure that the democratic spirit of the Indian Constitution is upheld and that the voices of the people are heard.