THE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

• What is the Parliament of India?
• The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India, responsible for making laws, scrutinizing the executive, and ensuring accountability in governance.
• It consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
• Constitutional Basis:
• The Parliament is established by Article 79 of the Indian Constitution.
• It is a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two chambers, which are outlined in Article 79-122 of the Constitution.

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Composition of the Parliament

• Lok Sabha (House of the People):
• It is the lower house of Parliament, representing the people of India directly.
• Members: The Lok Sabha consists of 545 members—530 members represent the states, 13 represent the Union Territories, and 2 are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (Note: The provision of nominating members from the Anglo-Indian community was abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019).
• Term: The Lok Sabha has a term of 5 years, unless dissolved earlier.
• Role: It plays a significant role in lawmaking, budgetary control, and scrutinizing the executive.
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States):
• It is the upper house of Parliament, representing the states and Union Territories of India.
• Members: The Rajya Sabha has a maximum of 250 members (currently 245)—238 are elected, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in fields like literature, science, art, and social service.
• Term: The Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber, meaning it is not dissolved. One-third of its members retire every two years.
• Role: It reviews and revises laws passed by the Lok Sabha and provides states with a platform to represent their interests.

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3. Functions and Powers of Parliament

• Legislative Function:
• The primary function of Parliament is to make laws. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participate in lawmaking, but the Lok Sabha has greater powers in financial matters.
• Laws are proposed as Bills and must be passed by both houses to become law.
• Financial Powers:
• Budget: The Parliament approves the annual Budget (Union Budget), which is presented by the Finance Minister.
• Money Bills: Money Bills, dealing with taxes, loans, and financial matters, can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and are subject to a time-bound approval process. The Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments but cannot reject them.
• Amendment of the Constitution:
• Parliament plays a key role in amending the Constitution. Amendments can be proposed by either house, and must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
• Representation and Accountability:
• The Parliament represents the diverse population of India and provides a platform for discussion on national issues.
• It holds the Executive accountable, particularly through mechanisms like No Confidence Motions, Impeachment, and Debates.

4. Structure and Leadership of Parliament

• President of India:
• The President is the formal head of the Parliament. The President summons and prorogues sessions, and can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• Lok Sabha Speaker:
• The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for maintaining order, conducting debates, and ensuring that parliamentary rules are followed.
• The Speaker is elected by members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
• Rajya Sabha Chairman:
• The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha and ensures the smooth functioning of its sessions.

5. Sessions of Parliament

• Types of Sessions:
• Budget Session: The first session of the year, during which the Budget is presented.
• Monsoon Session: A session usually held during the monsoon months, focusing on passing pending legislation.
• Winter Session: The final session of the year, where important bills are discussed before the year ends.
• Session Timings:
• The Parliament meets at least twice a year, but there can be additional sessions based on the political situation or specific needs.

6. How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Introduction: A Bill can be introduced in either house, but it must be approved by both houses and then receive Presidential assent to become law.
• Types of Bills:

1. Money Bill: Deals with national finances and can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
2. Ordinary Bill: Can be introduced in either house and needs approval from both houses.
3. Constitutional Amendment Bill: Amends the Constitution and requires approval by both houses, with a special majority.

• Process of Passage:
• A bill goes through three readings in each house:

1. First Reading: Introduction and publication.
2. Second Reading: Detailed discussion and amendments.
3. Third Reading: Final approval and vote.

• If both houses approve the bill, it is sent to the President for assent.
• If there is a disagreement between the two houses, a joint session may be called to resolve it.

7. Role of Parliament in Indian Democracy

• Guardians of the Constitution: Parliament ensures that laws and actions by the government align with the Constitution.
• Voice of the People: It provides a platform for elected representatives to voice the concerns, needs, and aspirations of their constituents.
• Checks and Balances: Parliament plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
• Promotes National Interests: It discusses and decides on key national issues like foreign policy, defense, and social welfare programs.

8. Challenges Faced by Parliament

• Disruptions and Delays: Parliamentary proceedings are often disrupted by protests and stalling tactics.
• Low Productivity: The quality of debates and legislation is sometimes criticized for being low, with many bills being passed without thorough scrutiny.
• Lack of Representation: Despite universal suffrage, the Parliament sometimes fails to represent certain marginalized groups adequately.
• Political Polarization: The increasing partisanship and political divide can sometimes impede meaningful debate and decision-making.

9. Reforms and Future Directions

• Increased Transparency: More efforts are needed to ensure transparency and accountability in parliamentary proceedings.
• Modernization: Using digital technology for paperless proceedings, e-voting, and live streaming of debates.
• Representation of Women: Proposals like the Women’s Reservation Bill seek to increase female participation in Parliament.

10. Relevance to UPSC

• Preliminary Exam: Questions related to the structure and functioning of Parliament are often asked under the Indian Polity section.
• Mains Exam: It is relevant for both General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) and Essay Paper.
• Current Affairs: Ongoing developments in Parliament, such as bills, amendments, or debates, can be crucial for current affairs preparation.

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Conclusion

The Parliament of India is the cornerstone of India's democracy, ensuring that governance remains transparent, accountable, and aligned with the Constitution. Its structure, powers, and functions are essential topics for UPSC aspirants, as they are integral to the understanding of Indian governance and lawmaking.