Parliament — Revision Notes
⚡ 30-Second Revision
- Parliament: President + Lok Sabha (543) + Rajya Sabha (245)
- Articles 79-122 govern Parliament
- Lok Sabha: 5 years, direct election, age 25+
- Rajya Sabha: 6 years, indirect election, age 30+
- Money Bills: Only Lok Sabha, Article 110
- Joint Sessions: Article 108, Speaker presides
- Anti-defection: 10th Schedule, 52nd Amendment
- Basic Structure: Keshavananda Bharati 1973
- PAC: Opposition member chairs
- Sessions: Budget, Monsoon, Winter
2-Minute Revision
Indian Parliament consists of President and two Houses under Articles 79-122. Lok Sabha has 543 elected members (5-year term, age 25+) representing people directly. Rajya Sabha has 245 members (6-year term, age 30+) representing states through indirect election.
Parliament exercises legislative, financial, judicial, electoral, administrative, and constituent powers. Money Bills (Article 110) can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with President's recommendation - Rajya Sabha cannot reject, only suggest amendments within 14 days.
Joint sessions (Article 108) resolve deadlocks on ordinary bills with Speaker presiding. Anti-defection law (10th Schedule, 52nd Amendment 1985) prevents party switching. Parliamentary committees provide detailed scrutiny - PAC (opposition-chaired), COPU, and 24 DRSCs.
Basic structure doctrine (Keshavananda Bharati 1973) limits Parliament's amendment power. Recent developments include Women's Reservation Act (106th Amendment) and digital Parliament initiatives.
5-Minute Revision
Parliament is India's supreme legislative body under Articles 79-122, consisting of President, Lok Sabha (543 members, 5-year term, direct election, age 25+), and Rajya Sabha (245 members, 6-year term with 1/3 retiring every 2 years, indirect election, age 30+).
Legislative powers cover Union and Concurrent Lists with emergency powers over State List. Financial supremacy lies with Lok Sabha through Money Bills (Article 110) - exclusive introduction, Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments within 14 days.
Joint sessions (Article 108) resolve deadlocks with Speaker presiding; only 4 held in history. Parliamentary committees ensure detailed scrutiny: Financial committees (PAC, Estimates, COPU), 24 DRSCs covering all ministries, and ad hoc committees for specific issues.
PAC traditionally chaired by opposition member. Anti-defection law (10th Schedule, 52nd Amendment 1985) disqualifies members for party switching or voting against whip, decided by Speaker/Chairman subject to limited judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan 1992).
Parliamentary sovereignty limited by basic structure doctrine (Keshavananda Bharati 1973, Minerva Mills 1980) preventing alteration of Constitution's essential features. Recent developments: Women's Reservation Act (106th Amendment 2023) providing 33% reservation, digital Parliament initiatives, and ongoing reforms for enhanced productivity and transparency.
Prelims Revision Notes
Constitutional Framework: Articles 79-122 govern Parliament structure and functions. Article 79 establishes Parliament composition. Articles 80-81 detail House compositions. Article 83 specifies tenure.
Articles 85-88 cover sessions and procedures. Composition Details: Lok Sabha - 543 elected (530 states + 13 UTs), maximum 552 permitted, 5-year term unless dissolved earlier. Rajya Sabha - 245 maximum (233 elected + 12 nominated), current strength 245, 6-year term with 1/3 retiring every 2 years.
Qualifications: Lok Sabha - Indian citizen, 25+ years, registered voter. Rajya Sabha - Indian citizen, 30+ years, registered voter. Sessions: Three annual sessions - Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (Jul-Aug), Winter (Nov-Dec).
Maximum 6-month gap between sessions. Money Bills: Article 110 definition, only Lok Sabha introduction with President's recommendation, Rajya Sabha 14-day amendment period. Joint Sessions: Article 108, three conditions for calling, Speaker presides, 4 held in history (1961, 1978, 2002, 2021).
Committees: 24 DRSCs, PAC (22 members, opposition chair), COPU (22 members), Estimates Committee (30 members). Anti-defection: 10th Schedule, 52nd Amendment 1985, disqualification grounds, Speaker/Chairman decides.
Key Judgments: Keshavananda Bharati 1973 (basic structure), Minerva Mills 1980 (amendment limits), Kihoto Hollohan 1992 (anti-defection validity).
Mains Revision Notes
Parliamentary Sovereignty vs Constitutional Supremacy: Indian Parliament operates under constitutional supremacy unlike British parliamentary sovereignty. Basic structure doctrine (Keshavananda Bharati 1973) limits amendment power while preserving legislative authority.
This creates dynamic balance between democratic will and constitutional constraints. Committee System Effectiveness: Parliamentary committees provide detailed scrutiny beyond full House capacity. Strengths include continuous oversight, expert examination, and bipartisan approach.
Weaknesses include non-binding recommendations, government non-compliance, and resource constraints. Reforms needed: time-bound responses, penal provisions, enhanced research support. Anti-defection Law Analysis: 10th Schedule achieved political stability by reducing individual defections but created new challenges.
Positive impacts include stable governments and reduced political opportunism. Negative consequences include reduced individual autonomy, potential Speaker bias, and impact on parliamentary debates. Reform suggestions: independent tribunals, time-bound decisions, exemptions for conscience voting.
Contemporary Challenges: Declining sitting days (120+ in 1950s to 65-70 currently), frequent disruptions affecting productivity, need for procedural reforms. Digital initiatives during COVID-19 showed potential for enhanced participation and transparency.
Women's Reservation Act implementation will require delimitation exercise and federal coordination. Institutional Relationships: Parliament's legislative supremacy balanced by judicial review, executive accountability through questions and committees, federal coordination through Rajya Sabha representation.
These relationships ensure constitutional democracy while maintaining institutional autonomy.
Vyyuha Quick Recall
Vyyuha Quick Recall - 'PARLIAMENT' Mnemonic: P-President (part of Parliament), A-Articles 79-122 (constitutional basis), R-Rajya Sabha 245 members, L-Lok Sabha 543 members, I-Impeachment powers (judicial function), A-Anti-defection 10th Schedule, M-Money Bills Article 110, E-Electoral powers (President/VP election), N-No-confidence (Lok Sabha only), T-Tenure (5 years LS, 6 years RS).
Memory Palace Technique: Visualize Parliament House with two chambers - larger Lok Sabha (543 people, 5-year lease) and smaller Rajya Sabha (245 people, 6-year permanent residents with 1/3 moving out every 2 years).
President sits above both as constitutional head. Money flows only through Lok Sabha chamber, while both chambers can amend Constitution within basic structure boundaries set by Supreme Court guards.