UPSSSC PET · Bite-size lessons
Parliamentary System
About 7 min · Indian Constitution & Public Administration · English
Time worked out from the lesson's 537 words at 150 words a minute, plus a minute for each question.
India adopted the parliamentary system of government from the British Westminster model. Understanding the constitutional provisions (Articles 79–122) and the functioning of Parliament is essential because questions often test differences between the two Houses, money bill procedures, and practical aspects like quorum, adjournment, and no-confidence motions.
Key ideas
- Bicameral Legislature: Indian Parliament consists of the President and two Houses—Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (upper house)—as per Article 79. Both Houses participate in law-making, but Lok Sabha is more powerful in financial matters.
- Lok Sabha Primacy: Lok Sabha enjoys supremacy in money bills (Rajya Sabha can only recommend), confidence motions (only Lok Sabha can remove the government), and the resolution to revoke a National Emergency. It represents the people directly through universal adult franchise.
- Rajya Sabha as Federal Chamber: Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories. It has special powers to create All-India Services (Article 312) and to declare a subject in State List of national importance (Article 249). It provides continuity as it is not subject to dissolution.
- Parliamentary Sessions: Parliament meets in three sessions annually—Budget (February–May), Monsoon (July–September), and Winter (November–December). A session is summoned by the President on Cabinet advice; gap between sessions cannot exceed six months.
- Motions and Legislative Devices: Motions like no-confidence (only Lok Sabha), adjournment, censure, and cut motions allow members to discuss government policies and hold the executive accountable. Money bills and ordinary bills follow distinct procedures.
Watch out for
- Confusing Money Bill and Finance Bill: Students often treat them as identical. Money bills deal solely with taxation, government expenditure, borrowing, etc. (Article 110 criteria). Finance bills can have non-financial provisions;
- Assuming Rajya Sabha has no power: While Lok Sabha dominates, Rajya Sabha has exclusive powers to create All-India Services and declare State List subjects of national importance. Students must not dismiss Rajya Sabha as powerless; it represents federal interests and provides experienced oversight.
- Forgetting Anti-Defection Exceptions: Many believe any split causes disqualification. Correct fix: Two-thirds of party members can merge with another party (or form a new one) without disqualification.
Quick reference
- Lok Sabha: 543 members, 5-year term, directly elected, represents people, money bills only here, no-confidence motion only here.
- Rajya Sabha: 245 members, permanent body, indirectly elected + 12 nominated, federal chamber, special powers under Articles 249 & 312.
- Quorum: 1/10th strength; 55 LS, 25 RS.
- Money Bills: Lok Sabha only; Rajya Sabha 14 days; no joint sitting; Speaker certifies.
- Anti-Defection: 10th Schedule; disqualification for defection; exception if 2/3rds merge; Presiding Officer decides.
Check yourself: 3 questions
1. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as provided under the Constitution of India?
2. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (Anti-Defection Law), a member of a House is disqualified if he voluntarily gives up membership of his political party. Who has the power to decide questions regarding disqualification on the ground of defection?
3. Which one of the following Parliamentary Committees is a Financial Committee that examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India after they are laid before the House?
This lesson is cut from the topic's note, not rewritten. Fact-checked on 17 Oct 2026: an AI-assisted check of this note against cited sources; the errors it found were corrected that day. Some errors may remain. The questions are from Shishya's validated question bank.
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