Union Legislature

1. Constitutional Provisions (Part V, Chapters II & III)

Location in Constitution

Important Articles

2. Composition of Parliament (Article 79)

• President
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
• Lok Sabha (House of the People)

President’s Legislative Powers

3. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

Special Powers

• Create All India Services
• Allow Parliament to legislate on State List
• Participate in constitutional amendment

4. Lok Sabha (House of People)

Special Powers

• Money bills introduced only here
• No-confidence motion
• Controls Council of Ministers

5. Functions of Parliament

Legislative Functions

• Make laws
• Amend laws
• Repeal laws

Financial Functions

• Pass budget
• Approve taxes
• Control expenditure

Executive Oversight

• Question Hour
• No confidence motion
• Committees

Judicial Functions

• Impeachment of President
• Removal of judges

Electoral Functions

• Election of President
• Election of Vice-President

6. Old vs New Parliament

7. Sessions of Parliament

8. Parliamentary Terms

Summary

1. Constitutional Basis

Rajya Sabha is established under Article 79 and composition is provided under Article 80 of the Constitution of India. It is the Upper House of Parliament and represents the States of the Indian Union.

2. Composition of Rajya Sabha

Nominated Members Fields

• Literature
• Science
• Art
• Social Service

3. Allocation of Seats to States

4. Election Method

Members are elected using proportional representation by single transferable vote.

Quota Formula

Quota = Total votes ÷ (Seats + 1) + 1

Example: 100 MLAs, 4 seats → quota = 21 votes

5. Qualifications

6. Term and Nature

7. Chairman and Deputy Chairman

8. Powers of Rajya Sabha

9. Limitations

10. Importance of Rajya Sabha

• Protects federal structure
• Ensures continuity
• Acts as revising chamber
• Provides expert representation

11. Important Facts

1. Constitutional Basis

Lok Sabha is established under Article 79 and composition governed by Article 81. It represents the people directly and is called the Popular House.

2. Composition

3. Method of Election

FPTP Example

Candidate A: 35,000 votes → Winner even if majority not secured.

4. Reservation of Seats

5. Qualifications

6. Term

7. Speaker of Lok Sabha

8. Quorum

9. Parliamentary Proceedings

10. Powers of Lok Sabha

11. Important Facts

1. Introduction to Bills

A Bill is a draft legislative proposal introduced in Parliament. When passed by both Houses and assented by the President, it becomes an Act.

2. Types of Bills

3. Ordinary Bills

4. Money Bills (Article 110)

Procedure

5. Financial Bills

Financial Bill Type I

Financial Bill Type II

6. Constitutional Amendment Bills (Article 368)

7. Stages of Bill Passage

First Reading

• Introduction of Bill
• No discussion

Second Reading

• Detailed discussion
• Committee stage
• Clause by clause voting

Third Reading

• Final approval
• Voting

8. Joint Sitting (Article 108)

9. President Role in Bills

10. Governor Role (Articles 200, 201)

11. Summary Table

1. Introduction

Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by Parliament, its members, and committees to ensure independent and effective functioning.

Origin

• Borrowed from British House of Commons
• Provided under Indian Constitution Articles 105 and 194
• Not fully codified

2. Constitutional Provisions

Article 105 – Privileges of Parliament

Article 194 – Privileges of State Legislatures

Provides identical privileges to State Legislatures.

3. Classification of Privileges

A. Collective Privileges

B. Individual Privileges

4. Key Privileges Explained

Freedom of Speech (Article 105)

• Members can speak without fear
• Protected from defamation cases
• Subject to parliamentary rules

Immunity from Court Proceedings

• No legal proceedings for speeches
• Applies to committee proceedings

Freedom from Arrest

5. Breach of Privilege

Examples

Punishments

• Imprisonment
• Censure
• Fine
• Reprimand

6. Procedure for Privilege Motion

7. Parliamentary Privileges vs Fundamental Rights

Gunupati Keshavram Reddy Case (1954) - Privileges independent of Article 19.
Searchlight Case (1959) - Privileges override freedom of speech under Article 19.
Keshav Singh Case (1965) - Judiciary can review parliamentary privileges.

8. Codification of Privileges

9. Importance of Parliamentary Privileges

• Ensures independence of Parliament
• Protects MPs from legal harassment
• Maintains dignity of Parliament
• Ensures smooth legislative functioning

10. Summary Table

1. Introduction

Parliamentary Committees are committees appointed or elected by Parliament to examine legislative, financial, and administrative matters in detail. They work under the direction of the Speaker or Chairman and submit reports to Parliament.

2. Constitutional Basis (Article 118)

3. Need for Parliamentary Committees

4. Classification of Committees

5. Financial Committees

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Estimates Committee

Committee on Public Undertakings

6. Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSC)

Functions

• Examine demands for grants
• Examine bills
• Examine ministry reports
• Review policies

List of DRSCs

7. Other Standing Committees

8. Ad Hoc Committees

Select Committees

• Examine specific bill
• Clause-by-clause analysis

Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC)

9. Importance of Parliamentary Committees

10. Comparison Table

1. Introduction

The Anti-Defection Law prevents elected representatives from changing political parties after election. It was enacted to ensure political stability and prevent corruption.

Historical Background

2. Constitutional Provision

3. Grounds for Disqualification(in 10th Schedule)

Voluntary Giving Up Membership

Voting Against Party Whip

Independent Member Joining Party

Nominated Member Joining Party After 6 Months

4. Exceptions

Merger Exception

Presiding Officer Exception

• Speaker can resign party
• Not disqualified

5. Role of Speaker

6. Judicial Review

7. Important Supreme Court Cases

8. 91st Amendment Act, 2003

9. Criticism

• Limits freedom of MPs
• Speaker bias possible
• Bulk defections still allowed

10. Recommendations

11. Summary Table