The Union Legislature ICSE Class 8: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Parliament's Powers

What The Union Legislature is about

Weightage: CISCE publishes no question paper, marking scheme or chapter weightage for Class VIII History and Civics: your school sets and marks the exam. The Union Legislature sits in the Civics: The Three main Organs of the Indian Government section of the CISCE Curriculum for Upper Primary Classes (VI-VIII).Source: CISCE Curriculum for Upper Primary Classes (VI-VIII), RDCD 2016

Key concepts

Parliament: meaning and structure

• Article 79: Parliament consists of the President and two Houses, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
• Parliament is bicameral (two Houses). The Lok Sabha is the lower House, representing the people; the Rajya Sabha is the upper House, representing the States.
• The President is part of Parliament because a bill becomes law only after the President's assent, and the President summons and prorogues the Houses and can dissolve the Lok Sabha (Article 85).
• Sessions: the gap between two sessions must not be more than six months (Article 85). Usually there are three sessions a year: Budget, Monsoon and Winter.
• Quorum: the minimum number of members needed for a sitting is one-tenth of the total membership of the House (Article 100).

Worked example

(2 marks) Of what does the Indian Parliament consist? Why is the President considered a part of it?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. The President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha (Article 79) - 1 mark.
2. A bill becomes law only with the President's assent; the President summons, prorogues and dissolves - 1 mark.

Answer: Parliament consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The President is a part of it because no bill can become law without the President's assent, and the President summons and prorogues Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha: composition, election and term

Composition (Article 81): not more than 530 members chosen from the States and not more than 20 from the Union Territories. At present 543 members are elected. (The earlier provision for nominating two Anglo-Indian members ended in 2020.)
Election:

• Members are directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies.
• Elections are on the basis of universal adult franchise (Article 326): every citizen aged 18 or above who is registered as a voter can vote. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment (1988).
• Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Article 330).

Term (Article 83(2)): five years from the date of its first meeting, unless dissolved earlier by the President.

• During a national emergency, the term can be extended by a law of Parliament for one year at a time, but not beyond six months after the emergency ends.

Worked example

(3 marks) State the composition and term of the Lok Sabha and how its members are elected.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Maximum 550 elected: up to 530 from States, up to 20 from UTs; 543 at present - 1 mark.
2. Directly elected by citizens aged 18 and above (universal adult franchise) - 1 mark.
3. Term: five years from first meeting unless dissolved earlier; extendable by one year at a time in an emergency - 1 mark.

Answer: The Lok Sabha can have up to 550 elected members (up to 530 from the States and 20 from the Union Territories); at present 543 are elected. They are directly elected by citizens aged 18 or above. Its term is five years from its first meeting, unless dissolved earlier; during an emergency it can be extended by a law for one year at a time.

Rajya Sabha: composition, election and term

Composition (Article 80): a maximum of 250 members:

• not more than 238 representatives of the States and Union Territories;
• 12 members nominated by the President from people with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.

At present the Rajya Sabha has 245 members.
Election:

• Representatives of each State are elected by the elected members of that State's Legislative Assembly, by proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (Article 80(4)). This is indirect election.
• Seats are given to States roughly according to population, so Uttar Pradesh has many more seats than smaller States.

Term:

• The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House; it is never dissolved (Article 83(1)).
• Each member serves for six years.
• One-third of its members retire every second year, and elections are held for their seats.

Worked example

(3 marks) Why is the Rajya Sabha called a permanent House? How are its members chosen?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. It is not subject to dissolution - 1 mark.
2. Members serve six years; one-third retire every second year - 1 mark.
3. Elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies by proportional representation (single transferable vote); 12 nominated by the President - 1 mark.

Answer: The Rajya Sabha is permanent because it is never dissolved: its members have six-year terms and one-third of them retire every two years. Most members are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by single transferable vote, and 12 are nominated by the President.

Qualifications and disqualifications of members

Qualifications (Article 84): to be a member of Parliament, a person must:
1. be a citizen of India;
2. make an oath or affirmation before an authorised person;
3. be at least 25 years old for the Lok Sabha and at least 30 years old for the Rajya Sabha;
4. have other qualifications laid down by Parliament by law (for example, being registered as a voter).

Disqualifications (Article 102): a person cannot be a member if he or she:

• holds an office of profit under the Union or a State government (other than offices exempted by law);
• is of unsound mind and so declared by a competent court;
• is an undischarged insolvent (declared unable to pay debts);
• is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country;
• is disqualified by a law of Parliament or under the anti-defection rules (Tenth Schedule).

Worked example

(2 marks) State the minimum age for membership of each House of Parliament.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Lok Sabha: 25 years - 1 mark.
2. Rajya Sabha: 30 years - 1 mark.

Answer: A candidate must be at least 25 years old to be a member of the Lok Sabha and at least 30 years old to be a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Presiding officers: the Speaker and the Chairman

Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Articles 93-96):

• Elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves; a Deputy Speaker is also elected.
• Term: as long as he or she remains a member, normally till the House is dissolved. On dissolution, the Speaker stays in office until just before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha.
• Removal: by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha, after 14 days' notice (Article 94).

Functions:
1. Presides over the House and maintains order and discipline; can suspend members for misconduct.
2. Decides who may speak and interprets the rules of procedure.
3. Does not vote in the first instance but has a casting vote in case of a tie (Article 100).
4. Decides whether a bill is a Money Bill; this decision is final (Article 110(3)).
5. Presides over joint sittings of both Houses (Article 118(4)).
6. Decides on disqualification of members on the ground of defection (Tenth Schedule).

Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: the Vice-President of India is the ex officio Chairman (Article 89). The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members.

Worked example

(4 marks) How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected? State three functions of the Speaker.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Elected by members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves - 1 mark.
2. Presides and maintains order - 1 mark.
3. Casting vote in case of a tie - 1 mark.
4. Certifies Money Bills / presides over joint sittings - 1 mark.

Answer: The Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves. The Speaker presides over the House and maintains order, has a casting vote when votes are tied, and decides whether a bill is a Money Bill; the Speaker also presides over joint sittings of the two Houses.

Powers and functions of Parliament

1. Legislative: makes laws on subjects in the Union List and the Concurrent List. It can make laws on a State List subject if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of members present and voting (Article 249), or during a national emergency (Article 250). An ordinary bill must be passed by both Houses; if they disagree, the President may call a joint sitting (Article 108).
2. Financial: no tax can be levied and no money spent without Parliament's approval. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha must return it within 14 days with or without recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject (Article 109). Parliament passes the annual budget (Annual Financial Statement, Article 112).
3. Control over the executive: the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)). Members control it through question hour, adjournment motions, cut motions and the no-confidence motion; if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the government must resign.
4. Electoral: elected members of both Houses, with elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, elect the President (Article 54); all members of both Houses elect the Vice-President (Article 66). The Houses also elect their presiding officers.
5. Judicial: can impeach the President (Article 61) and can remove judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts (Article 124(4)).
6. Constituent: can amend the Constitution (Article 368).
7. Emergency: approves proclamations of emergency.

Worked example

(4 marks) Explain four powers of the Indian Parliament.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Legislative: makes laws on Union and Concurrent List subjects - 1 mark.
2. Financial: passes the budget; no tax or expenditure without its approval - 1 mark.
3. Control over executive: questions, motions; no-confidence motion - 1 mark.
4. Electoral / judicial / constituent: elects President and Vice-President; impeachment; amends Constitution - 1 mark.

Answer: (1) Legislative: it makes laws on Union List and Concurrent List subjects. (2) Financial: it passes the budget, and no tax can be imposed or money spent without its approval. (3) It controls the executive through questions and motions, and the Lok Sabha can remove the government by a no-confidence motion. (4) It amends the Constitution and takes part in electing the President and Vice-President and in removing them and judges.

The Union Legislature in real life

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

Topics in this chapter

• Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers

The Union Legislature: key facts

Lok Sabha

Max 550 elected (530 States + 20 UTs); 543 at present; term 5 years; age 25; directly elected

Article 81; Article 83(2); Article 84.

Rajya Sabha

Max 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated); 245 at present; permanent; 6-year term; one-third retire every 2 years; age 30

Article 80; Article 83(1).

Presiding officers

Lok Sabha: Speaker (elected by members); Rajya Sabha: Vice-President as Chairman

Articles 93, 89.

Money Bill

Introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha must return within 14 days; Speaker certifies

Articles 109, 110.

Quorum

One-tenth of the total members of the House

Article 100(3).

How the school exam asks The Union Legislature

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember The Union Legislature

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

• Ages: 25 and 30

  'Lower House, lower age': Lok Sabha 25, Rajya Sabha 30.

  Use it when: Minimum ages.

• Lok Sabha numbers

  '530 + 20 = 550', and 543 sit today.

  Use it when: Composition of the Lok Sabha.

• Powers of Parliament: L-F-E-E-J-C

  'Laws Finance Executive Elections Judges Constitution'.

  Use it when: Listing the powers.

The Union Legislature: exam-level solved questions

Ordered from exam level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In a school exam set on the board pattern this is a 7-mark question split into 3 + 2 + 2 marks.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

Where students lose marks in The Union Legislature

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

• ✗Mistake: Writing that the Rajya Sabha is dissolved every six years

  Confusing members' terms with the House.

  ✓Do this: The Rajya Sabha is never dissolved; members serve six years and one-third retire every two years.

  Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

• ✗Mistake: Saying the Vice-President is a member of the Rajya Sabha

  He presides over it.

  ✓Do this: The Vice-President is ex officio Chairman but not a member.

  Usually costs: 1 mark.

• ✗Mistake: Writing that the Speaker votes on every bill

  Forgetting neutrality.

  ✓Do this: The Speaker has only a casting vote when votes are tied.

  Usually costs: 1 mark.

• ✗Mistake: Giving out-of-date Lok Sabha numbers that include nominated Anglo-Indian members

  Older books mention 552.

  ✓Do this: Write maximum 550 elected (530 + 20); the nomination provision ended in 2020; 543 elected at present.

  Usually costs: 1 mark.

Practice questions on The Union Legislature

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

1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQExam level

   Who is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
   (a) The President
   (b) The Vice-President
   (c) The Prime Minister
   (d) The Speaker

   Hint

   Article 89.

   Answer

   (b) The Vice-President.

2. Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder exam level

   The quorum of each House of Parliament is:
   (a) one-fourth of the total members
   (b) one-third of the total members
   (c) one-tenth of the total members
   (d) half of the total members

   Hint

   Article 100.

   Answer

   (c) one-tenth of the total members.

3. Q3 · 1 mark · Very short answerHarder exam level

   What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament?

   Hint

   Article 85.

   Answer

   Six months.

4. Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerExam level

   What is meant by universal adult franchise?

   Hint

   Who can vote?

   Answer

   The right of every adult citizen (18 years and above in India) to vote, without discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, sex, wealth or education.

5. Q5 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder exam level

   How long can the term of the Lok Sabha be extended during a national emergency?

   Hint

   Year by year.

   Answer

   By a law of Parliament for one year at a time, but not beyond six months after the emergency has ended.

6. Q6 · 2 marks · Very short answerExam level

   What is a no-confidence motion?

   Hint

   Removing the government.

   Answer

   A motion moved in the Lok Sabha stating that the House has no confidence in the Council of Ministers; if it is passed, the government must resign.

7. Q7 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder exam level

   How can the Speaker of the Lok Sabha be removed?

   Hint

   Article 94.

   Answer

   By a resolution of the Lok Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, after at least 14 days' notice.

8. Q8 · 2 marks · Very short answerExam level

   Why are 12 members nominated to the Rajya Sabha?

   Hint

   Experts.

   Answer

   To bring into Parliament people with special knowledge or experience in literature, science, art and social service, who may not contest elections.

9. Q9 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

   Explain how Parliament controls the executive through questions and motions.

   Hint

   Question hour, adjournment, cut motion.

   Answer

   During question hour, members ask ministers questions about their departments, which they must answer. An adjournment motion draws attention to an urgent public matter. Cut motions on budget demands express disapproval of policy. Finally, a no-confidence motion can remove the government, so ministers must stay accountable.

10. Q10 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    A State with a large population sends many more members to the Rajya Sabha than a small State. Some people argue all States should have equal seats, as in the US Senate. Give one argument for each side.

    Hint

    Equality of States versus equality of people.

    Answer

    For equal seats: the Rajya Sabha represents States as units, and equal seats would protect smaller States from being outvoted by large ones. For seats by population: India's States differ enormously in population, so giving each the same seats would let a small population have the same say as a very large one, which would be unfair to citizens of big States. India's Constitution chose seats broadly according to population.

11. Q11 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Why is the Speaker expected to be impartial? Give two powers that show the importance of this.

    Hint

    Referee of the House.

    Answer

    The Speaker acts as the referee of the Lok Sabha for all parties, so fairness is essential. Powers such as deciding whether a bill is a Money Bill (a final decision) and deciding defection cases under the Tenth Schedule can affect the government and opposition, so an impartial Speaker is needed for trust in Parliament.

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. 1.Which Article says what Parliament consists of?Show answer

   Article 79.

2. 2.What is the term of a Rajya Sabha member?Show answer

   Six years.

3. 3.Who presides over a joint sitting?Show answer

   The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

4. 4.Within how many days must the Rajya Sabha return a Money Bill?Show answer

   14 days.

5. 5.What is the voting age in India?Show answer

   18 years.

6. 6.Which Article deals with amendment of the Constitution?Show answer

   Article 368.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐Parliament = President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha (Article 79); quorum one-tenth; gap between sessions under six months.
• ☐Lok Sabha: up to 550 elected (530 States, 20 UTs), 543 now; direct election, voting age 18; term five years, can be dissolved; extension in emergency one year at a time.
• ☐Rajya Sabha: up to 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated), 245 now; elected by State MLAs by proportional representation (single transferable vote); permanent; six-year terms; one-third retire every two years.
• ☐Qualifications: citizen, oath, age 25 (Lok Sabha) or 30 (Rajya Sabha). Disqualifications: office of profit, unsound mind, insolvent, not a citizen, defection.
• ☐Speaker: elected by Lok Sabha; casting vote; certifies Money Bills; presides over joint sittings; removed by majority of all members after 14 days' notice. Rajya Sabha: Vice-President is Chairman.
• ☐Powers: legislative, financial (Money Bills in Lok Sabha only; 14 days), control of executive (no-confidence motion), electoral, judicial (impeachment, removal of judges), constituent (Article 368).

The Union Legislature: frequently asked questions