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Parliament of India: Houses and Powers | ICSE 8 Civics

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History & CivicsICSE Class 8 · The Union Legislature

The Union Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers (ICSE Class 8 Civics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Parliament consists of the President and two Houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People, directly elected, up to 550 seats, 543 elected at present, five-year term) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States, up to 250 members, 12 nominated, permanent, with one-third retiring every second year). It makes laws, controls finance and the executive, and can amend the Constitution and impeach the President.

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

1. Structure. Article 79: Parliament = President + Council of States (Rajya Sabha) + House of the People (Lok Sabha). It is bicameral: 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 assent and because the President summons, prorogues and dissolves (Article 85). The gap between two sessions must not exceed six months; there are usually three sessions a year (Budget, Monsoon, Winter). Quorum: one-tenth of the total membership (Article 100).

2. Lok Sabha. Composition (Article 81): not more than 530 members from the States and 20 from the Union Territories; at present 543 are elected. Members are directly elected from territorial constituencies on universal adult franchise (Article 326): every citizen aged 18 or above who is registered can vote (the 61st Amendment, 1988, lowered the age from 21). Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Article 330). Term: five years from its first meeting unless dissolved earlier; during a national emergency Parliament may extend it by law for one year at a time, but not beyond six months after the emergency ends.

3. Rajya Sabha. A maximum of 250 members (Article 80): up to 238 representatives of the States and Union Territories and 12 nominated by the President from people with special knowledge or experience in literature, science, art and social service; at present 245. State representatives are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assembly by proportional representation using the single transferable vote (indirect election). Seats roughly follow population. It is a permanent House, never dissolved (Article 83(1)); each member serves six years and one-third retire every second year.

4. Qualifications and disqualifications. Qualifications (Article 84): citizen of India; oath or affirmation; at least 25 years of age for the Lok Sabha and 30 for the Rajya Sabha; other qualifications laid down by law (for example being a registered voter). Disqualifications (Article 102): holding an office of profit under the Union or a State (other than exempted offices); unsound mind declared by a competent court; undischarged insolvent; not a citizen or voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship; disqualification by law or under the anti-defection rules (Tenth Schedule).

5. Presiding officers. *Speaker of the Lok Sabha* (Articles 93-96): elected by members from among themselves, with a Deputy Speaker; remains in office till the House is dissolved (and until just before the new House meets); removable by a resolution passed by a majority of all then members after 14 days' notice. Functions: presides and maintains order, can suspend members for misconduct; decides who may speak and interprets the rules; casting vote only in case of a tie; decides finally whether a bill is a Money Bill (Article 110(3)); presides over joint sittings; decides defection disqualification. *Rajya Sabha:* the Vice-President is ex officio Chairman (Article 89); a Deputy Chairman is elected by the House.

6. Powers and functions. (1) Legislative: laws on Union and Concurrent List subjects; on a State List subject if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-thirds of members present and voting (Article 249) or during a national emergency (Article 250); ordinary bills need both Houses and a joint sitting may be called if they disagree (Article 108). (2) Financial: no tax or expenditure without approval; a Money Bill is introduced only in the Lok Sabha and 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. (3) Control over the executive: the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha; question hour, adjournment motions, cut motions and the no-confidence motion. (4) Electoral: elects the President and Vice-President along with others as set out in the Constitution, and its presiding officers. (5) Judicial: impeachment of the President and removal of judges. (6) Constituent: amends the Constitution (Article 368). (7) Emergency: approves proclamations.

Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers: key facts

Lok Sabha
  • Up to 550 seats
  • 543 elected at present
  • Term 5 years
  • Minimum age 25
  • Direct election
Rajya Sabha
  • Up to 250 members
  • 238 representatives plus 12 nominated
  • 245 at present
  • Term 6 years
  • One-third retire every 2 years
  • Minimum age 30
Money Bill
  • Introduced only in Lok Sabha
  • Rajya Sabha returns within 14 days
  • Speaker decides
  • Lok Sabha may reject recommendations
Quorum and sessions
  • Quorum one-tenth of membership
  • Gap between sessions not more than 6 months
  • Three sessions a year

How to answer Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers questions

For House comparisons use a table of: strength, election, term, minimum age, presiding officer, special powers.

  1. 1For powers, number them and give the Article where it adds value.
  2. 2For Money Bill questions, state the stages and time limit.
  3. 3Check that you use "directly" for Lok Sabha and "indirectly" for Rajya Sabha.
  4. 4Use sums carefully: percentages and fractions of the House strength.

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

Quorum for a debate

Suppose a House of 500 members is to begin a sitting. The rule requires one-tenth of the total membership to be present.

Find the quorum. If 46 members are present, can the House meet?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Quorum = 500 / 10 = 50 members.
  2. 46 is fewer than 50.
  3. So the sitting cannot proceed until at least 50 are present.

Answer: Quorum 50; the House cannot meet with 46.

Memory hook: One in ten.

Tricks to remember Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers

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

  • Lok = 5 years and 25; Rajya = 6 years and 30

    Term and minimum age.

    Use it when: Comparison.

  • Money Bill: Lok first, Rajya 14 days

    Introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha has 14 days.

    Use it when: Money Bills.

  • Direct and indirect

    Lok Sabha: direct; Rajya Sabha: elected by MLAs by STV.

    Use it when: Election.

Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers: solved examples

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

Example 1: Houses · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the two Houses of Parliament and state what each represents.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Lok Sabha (House of the People): represents the people.
  2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States): represents the States.

Answer: Lok Sabha: people; Rajya Sabha: States.

Example 2: Qualifications · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the qualifications for membership of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Citizen of India and an oath or affirmation.
  2. At least 25 years for the Lok Sabha; at least 30 years for the Rajya Sabha.
  3. Other qualifications laid down by law, such as being a registered voter.

Answer: Citizen, oath, age 25 or 30, and legal qualifications.

Example 3: Rotation sum · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

The Rajya Sabha has 245 members at present; one-third of members retire every second year. Explain why it is called a permanent House and, for a House of exactly 240 members, find how many retire every second year.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It is never dissolved; members retire in turns, so the House always exists.
  2. For 240 members: one-third = 240 / 3 = 80 members.
  3. Each member serves six years, so the full House changes over three such elections.

Answer: Never dissolved; 80 retire every second year for a House of 240.

Example 4: Money Bill procedure · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the procedure and role of the Rajya Sabha in the passing of a Money Bill.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
  2. The Speaker decides finally whether a bill is a Money Bill.
  3. The Rajya Sabha must return it within 14 days with or without recommendations.
  4. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject the recommendations.

Answer: Introduced in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha returns within 14 days; Lok Sabha may reject changes.

Example 5: Control over the executive · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain how Parliament controls the Council of Ministers. Why is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha in this respect?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  2. Members use question hour, adjournment motions, cut motions and the no-confidence motion.
  3. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the government must resign.
  4. The Rajya Sabha has no such power over the survival of the government, and it has only a limited role over Money Bills.

Answer: Question hour, motions and no-confidence; the Lok Sabha holds the Council responsible.

Where students lose marks in Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers

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

  • Mistake: Mixing ages and terms of the two Houses

    Rajya Sabha age 25 is given.

    Do this: Lok Sabha: 25 years, five-year term; Rajya Sabha: 30 years, six-year term.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Saying the Rajya Sabha is directly elected

    Method of election is wrong.

    Do this: Indirectly, by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies using the single transferable vote.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Omitting the 14 days in Money Bill answers

    Time limit missing.

    Do this: State: returned within 14 days.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Forgetting that the President is part of Parliament

    Only two Houses are named.

    Do this: Parliament = President + two Houses (Article 79).

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Make a table for the two Houses and fill it from memory.
  • Quote Article numbers only if you are sure.
  • Use "ex officio" for the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • End powers answers with the idea of control over the executive.

Practice questions on Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers

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 · MCQBoard level

    The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is:
    (a) 245
    (b) 250
    (c) 238
    (d) 543

    Hint

    Constitutional maximum.

    Answer

    (b) 250.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?

    Hint

    Ex officio.

    Answer

    The Vice-President of India as ex officio Chairman.

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    What is a casting vote and who has it in the Lok Sabha?

    Hint

    Tie.

    Answer

    A vote used by the presiding officer only when votes are equal; the Speaker has it in the Lok Sabha.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    The Lok Sabha has 543 elected members. One-tenth of the total membership is needed as quorum. Calculate the minimum number of members that must be present (round up to a whole member), and state the principle of quorum.

    Hint

    Round up to a whole member.

    Answer

    543 / 10 = 54.3, so at least 55 members must be present (a whole number not less than one-tenth). The quorum is the minimum presence needed for the House to transact business.

  5. Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved.
    Reason (R): One-third of its members retire every second year.
    (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

    Continuity.

    Answer

    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation: one-third of the members retire every second year, so the House is never dissolved as a whole and stays permanent (Article 83(1)).

  6. Q6 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    List the functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (any five).

    Hint

    Order, rules, vote, Money Bill.

    Answer

    Presides over the House and maintains order; decides who may speak and interprets the rules; has a casting vote in case of a tie; decides whether a bill is a Money Bill (final); presides over joint sittings of both Houses; decides on disqualification for defection.

  7. Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    In what circumstances can Parliament make laws on a State List subject? Why is this provision made?

    Hint

    Two cases.

    Answer

    When the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of members present and voting (Article 249), or during a national emergency (Article 250). It allows the Union to act on matters of national importance that are normally State subjects.

  8. Q8 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    A student says both Houses are equal in all respects. Evaluate with three differences from the chapter.

    Hint

    Election, term, Money Bill.

    Answer

    Not equal: the Lok Sabha is directly elected while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected; the Lok Sabha lasts five years unless dissolved whereas the Rajya Sabha is permanent; only the Lok Sabha can introduce a Money Bill and the government is responsible to it.

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.Strength of Rajya Sabha at present?Show answer

    245.

  2. 2.Nominated members in the Rajya Sabha?Show answer

    12.

  3. 3.Age to vote?Show answer

    18 years.

  4. 4.Time given to Rajya Sabha for Money Bills?Show answer

    14 days.

  5. 5.Who decides a Money Bill?Show answer

    The Speaker.

Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers and Powers: frequently asked questions

Why is Parliament bicameral?

To represent both the people (Lok Sabha) and the States (Rajya Sabha).

What is a joint sitting?

A meeting of both Houses called by the President if they disagree on an ordinary bill; the Speaker presides.

What is the Tenth Schedule?

The anti-defection rules under which members can be disqualified.

How often must Parliament meet?

The gap between two sessions must not exceed six months.