CBSE Class 8 · The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

Parliament of India: Composition and Functions, Class 8 Notes and Questions

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

India's Parliament has three parts: the President, the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), a bicameral system. Its functions are constitutional, lawmaking, executive accountability and financial accountability. A bill is introduced, read, discussed, voted in both Houses, then receives the President's assent and a gazette notification to become an act.

Notice that Parliament is the President plus two Houses (bicameral): Lok Sabha is directly elected, Rajya Sabha indirectly, and together they perform four funct

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Parliament: Composition and Functions

Meaning. The Parliament is the supreme legislative body: it makes laws for the country and controls and guides the government. Because a majority of directly elected MPs forms the government, NCERT says the government works with the people's consent. There have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the first in 1952; the 18th was constituted in June 2024.

Composition. The President and two Houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People, lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States, upper house). Two houses make a bicameral system. Lok Sabha members are directly elected through universal adult franchise; the Constitution envisages a maximum of 550 members. Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the electoral college. In both, the number of seats allotted depends on a state's population. The old Parliament building (built in the 1920s, now called Samvidhan Sadan) hosted the Constituent Assembly; the new Sansad Bhavan has a three-sided design.

Why two Houses? NCERT: Britain inspired the parliamentary system, and Indians also drew on limited experience in British colonial structures, the memory of ancient republics (mahajanapadas) and village panchayats. In the Constituent Assembly it was felt that one directly elected House would not meet the challenges of independent India; in the spirit of federalism (power shared among centre, states and local governments) a Council of States was needed.

Presiding officers. The Lok Sabha members elect a Speaker, who conducts sessions, allows members to speak, maintains discipline and ensures rules are followed. The Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice President, as chairperson. The Sengol sceptre is placed near the Speaker's chair as a symbol of just rule. Interpretation is available in 12 languages, with six more added (Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, Sanskrit).

The Union Executive (President, Vice President, Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister) implements laws. Ministers are chosen from MPs of both Houses and are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Four functions.
1. Constitutional: electing the President and Vice President, amending the Constitution, upholding parliamentary democracy through universal adult suffrage, the separation of powers, federalism, and Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles through laws and policies.
2. Lawmaking.
3. Executive accountability.
4. Financial accountability.

Lawmaking: from bill to act. A bill is a draft law. Through steps: introduction in either House; reading; (possibly) referral to a Standing Committee, a permanent committee of MPs that scrutinises government activity and recommends; clause-by-clause discussion and amendments; vote; the same process in the other House; Presidential assent; gazette notification. Not all bills go to committees. A clause states specific details (RTE defines the age group 6 to 14). A Money Bill (taxation, government borrowing) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha with the President's prior recommendation.

Case: the RTE Act. Its roots lay in the Directive Principles. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, added Article 21A (free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14). The bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, studied by a committee, debated mainly on funding, passed in the Lok Sabha in August 2009 and received the President's assent. It applies across India although education is in the Concurrent List.

Executive accountability. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers implement laws and run day-to-day government but are answerable to the Lok Sabha. Question Hour (typically the first hour of a session) lets MPs ask ministers about policies, and committees question ministries. Example: a Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare recommended that states set up separate Ayush departments, and the ministry reported action taken.

Financial accountability. Parliament approves and monitors spending through the annual budget and examines the distribution of funds among ministries, because the government spends public money.

Parliament: Composition and Functions: key facts

Parts of Parliament: President
Lok Sabha (lower house)
Rajya Sabha (upper house); Bicameral.
Four functions: Constitutional
Lawmaking
Executive accountability
Financial accountability; Heads for any 'functions of Parliament' answer.
Bill to act (steps): Introduction
Reading
Standing Committee (not for all bills)
Clause-by-clause discussion and vote
Other House repeats
Presidential assent
Gazette notification; Learn in order.
Presiding officers: Lok Sabha: Speaker, elected by members | Rajya Sabha: Vice President as chairperson; Maintain order.
Numbers to remember: 550 maximum Lok Sabha members
17 Lok Sabhas since 1952
18th constituted June 2024
RTE: ages 6 to 14, Act 2009, Article 21A (2002); From NCERT.

How to answer Parliament: Composition and Functions questions

Questions ask for the composition and functions of Parliament, the steps by which a bill becomes law, and how Parliament holds the executive accountable.

1Name the three parts and say why the system is called bicameral.
2Give the four functions in NCERT order and add one fact to each.
3For lawmaking, give the steps in order and use RTE as the running example.
4For accountability, give Question Hour, committees and the budget.
5End with Parliament as the voice of the people.

Parliament: Composition and Functions in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Why a bill goes to a committee

Suppose a school council wants to introduce a new rule about mobile phones. Before voting, a small group of students and teachers studies the proposal, hears objections and suggests changes.

Which stage of lawmaking does this resemble, and why does it help?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A small group studies the draft closely.
It suggests modifications before the final vote.
Better scrutiny results in a better rule.

Answer: It resembles referral to a Standing Committee, which scrutinises a bill and recommends modifications before it is debated and voted. This helps iron out problems and improves the final law, as with the RTE bill whose committee suggested modifications.

Memory hook: Study before you sign.

Tricks to remember Parliament: Composition and Functions

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

C-L-E-F
Constitutional, Lawmaking, Executive accountability, Financial accountability.
Use it when: Functions of Parliament.
I-R-C-D-V-O-A-G
Introduce, Read, Committee, Discuss, Vote, Other house, Assent, Gazette.
Use it when: Bill to act.
Money Bill = Lok Sabha only
Money starts in the people's house.
Use it when: Special rule for financial bills.

Parliament: Composition and Functions: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Where do money bills originate? · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

A Money Bill can be introduced only in the:
(a) Rajya Sabha
(b) Lok Sabha
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Vidhan Parishad

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha with the President's prior recommendation (1 mark).

Answer: (b) Lok Sabha

Example 2: Why two houses? (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Why did the Constitution makers choose a bicameral Parliament for India? (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

It was felt that one directly elected House would be inadequate for the challenges of independent India (1 mark).
In the spirit of federalism, a Council of States was needed (1 mark).
The Rajya Sabha's composition and election were designed to differ from the Lok Sabha's (1 mark).

Answer: The Constitution makers felt that a single directly elected House would be inadequate for the challenges independent India would face. In the spirit of federalism, where power is distributed between the centre, states and local governments, a Council of States, the Rajya Sabha, was needed, and its composition and manner of election were designed to be different from the Lok Sabha.

Example 3: Assertion-reason: Standing committees · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Every bill introduced in Parliament must be referred to a Standing Committee.
Reason (R): A Standing Committee is a permanent committee of MPs that scrutinises government activities and recommends changes.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT notes that all bills may not be referred to committees, so A is false.
R correctly describes a Standing Committee (1 mark).

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

Example 4: Bill to act: RTE (5 marks) · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Trace how the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act became law, referring to the stages in the process of lawmaking. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Roots in Directive Principles; the 86th Amendment of 2002 added Article 21A for children aged 6 to 14 (1 mark).
The bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha (1 mark).
A committee studied it and suggested modifications; debate centred on funding (1 mark).
Passed in the Lok Sabha in August 2009 (1 mark).
Presidential assent made it an Act; gazette notification (1 mark).

Answer: The idea of free education for children came from the Directive Principles. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, inserted Article 21A, requiring the state to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14. The RTE bill was later tabled in the Rajya Sabha, where a committee studied it and suggested modifications; the main debate was about funding schools, infrastructure and teachers. After the 2009 elections the new government pursued it, the Lok Sabha passed it in August 2009 and the President gave assent, making it an Act that, after the usual gazette notification, became the law applicable across India.

Example 5: Case: Question Hour · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Read the case and answer.

NCERT describes Question Hour in the Lok Sabha as a select period, typically the first hour of a session, in which MPs ask ministers about government policies and activities. It holds the executive accountable. Special committees may include MPs from different parties, and ministries must explain and answer questions about their policies. NCERT also lists disruptions of the Question Hour among challenges to the legislature.

(i) When is Question Hour typically held? (1)
(ii) To whom is the Council of Ministers collectively responsible? (1)
(iii) Explain how disruption of Question Hour affects democracy. (2)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) The first hour of a parliamentary session (1 mark).
(ii) The Lok Sabha (1 mark).
(iii) If it is disrupted, ministers are not questioned, so accountability and the public's right to explanation are weakened; debate quality falls (2 marks).

Answer: (i) Typically the first hour of a parliamentary session. (ii) The Lok Sabha. (iii) Question Hour is the main way for MPs, who represent the people, to make ministers justify their decisions. If it is disrupted, the executive escapes scrutiny, the quality of debate falls and citizens' trust in their representatives can suffer.

Where students lose marks in Parliament: Composition and Functions

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Leaving out the President as part of Parliament
Only two Houses remembered.
Wrong working
Parliament has two parts, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Right working
President plus the two Houses.
Do this: Write 'President and two Houses'.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Wrong steps order in lawmaking
Memorising a list.
Wrong working
Presidential assent before the other House.
Right working
The bill passes both Houses, then receives assent and gazette notification.
Do this: Draw the flowchart.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Money Bill in Rajya Sabha
Thinking either House can start any bill.
Wrong working
A Money Bill can be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
Right working
Only in the Lok Sabha, on the President's prior recommendation.
Do this: Remember 'money starts in the people's House'.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Use the four functions as headings for every functions question.
Draw a short flow chart for the bill to act steps; add the clause and gazette notes.
Quote RTE facts exactly: Article 21A, 86th Amendment Act 2002, children aged 6 to 14, Act of August 2009.
Remember that not all bills go to committees; NCERT states this explicitly.

Practice questions on Parliament: Composition and Functions

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha is the:
(a) Vice President
(b) Speaker
(c) Prime Minister
(d) Chief Justice
Hint
Elected by members.
Answer
(b) Speaker
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
What is a bill? State the final step before it becomes law. (2 marks)
Hint
Draft of a law.
Answer
A bill is a draft of a proposed law that must be approved by Parliament. After both Houses pass it, it needs the President's assent, followed by a gazette notification, to become an act.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Describe two ways in which Parliament holds the executive accountable and one way in which it ensures financial accountability. (3 marks)
Hint
Question Hour, committees, budget.
Answer
Parliament holds the executive accountable through Question Hour, when MPs ask ministers about policies and actions, and through committees where ministries must explain and answer questions on their policies. For financial accountability, it approves and monitors government expenditure through the annual budget and examines how funds are distributed among ministries.
Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
Reason (R): Members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people, while the Rajya Sabha represents the states.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Hint
Think about which House is directly elected by the people and why control over money should rest with it.
Answer
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and is accountable to them, while the Rajya Sabha represents the states, so control over money rests with the Lok Sabha.
Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
'The government can be seen as functioning with the people's consent.' Explain this statement using the structure and functions of Parliament, and give two ways ordinary citizens can take part between elections. (5 marks)
Hint
Direct election, majority forms government, Question Hour, committees, citizens' participation.
Answer
The people directly elect the Lok Sabha, and a majority group among the elected representatives forms the government, so the government exists because the people's representatives support it. Parliament then controls and guides the government's work: ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and answer MPs in Question Hour and committees, and Parliament approves and monitors spending through the budget. Thus power flows from the people to their representatives to the government. Between elections, citizens can stay informed, take part in public discussions, including digital consultations that government departments offer during policymaking, and engage constructively with their representatives.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.How many members at most does the Constitution envisage for the Lok Sabha?Show answer
550.
2.Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?Show answer
The Vice President of India, as chairperson.
3.Which bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha?Show answer
A Money Bill.
4.What is Question Hour?Show answer
A period, typically the first hour of a session, when MPs ask ministers about government policies and activities.
5.What does a gazette do?Show answer
It is an official government publication that announces legal documents and official information.

Parliament: Composition and Functions: frequently asked questions

What are the functions of the Parliament of India?

Constitutional functions, lawmaking, holding the executive accountable and financial accountability.

What is a bicameral legislature?

A legislature with two separate houses; at the Union level India has the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

How does a bill become an act?

It is introduced and discussed, possibly sent to a committee, voted in both Houses, then receives the President's assent and a gazette notification.