Question

What is the structure of the Indian Parliament ?

• A. Unicameral System
• B. Federal System
• C. Bicameral System
• D. Confederal System

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Bicameral System

Composition of the Parliament of India

• The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic, established under Article 79 of the Constitution.

• It consists of three distinct components: The President of India, The Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and The Lok Sabha (House of the People).

Key Structural Details

1. The President: Although not a member of either house, the President is an integral part of Parliament. No bill passed by the two houses can become an Act without the President's assent (Article 111).

2. Rajya Sabha (Upper House):

   • Represent the states and union territories.

   • Maximum strength is 250 members (238 elected + 12 nominated by the President for their contribution to arts, literature, science, and social services).

   • It is a permanent house and not subject to dissolution; one-third of its members retire every second year.

3. Lok Sabha (Lower House):

   • Represent the people of India as a whole.

   • Maximum strength is 550 members (current strength is 543 following the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which discontinued the reservation for Anglo-Indian seats).

   • The term is five years, but it can be dissolved earlier by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Important Constitutional Context

• The Indian parliamentary model is based on the Westminster system, adopted from the United Kingdom.

• Under Article 85, the President has the power to summon and prorogue both houses and dissolve the Lok Sabha.