Indian Parliament
Key Concepts & Formulas
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum strength of Lok Sabha | 552 (530 states + 20 UT + 2 Anglo-Indian*); *nomination ended in 2020 |
| 2 | Maximum strength of Rajya Sabha | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| 3 | Money Bill vs. Ordinary Bill | Only Lok Sabha can introduce & decide Money Bills (Art. 110) |
| 4 | Joint Sitting (Art. 108) | President can summon if bill rejected by either house; Lok Sabha strength decides |
| 5 | President’s Election | Indirect, proportional representation by single transferable vote (MPs + MLAs) |
| 6 | No-Confidence Motion | Only in Lok Sabha; needs 50 MPs support; if passed, Council of Ministers resigns |
| 7 | Parliament Sessions | 3 per year: Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (Jul-Aug), Winter (Nov-Dec); gap between two sessions ≤ 6 months |
10 Practice MCQs
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The maximum nominated members in Rajya Sabha are A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 20
Answer: B. 12
Solution: Article 80 allows President to nominate 12 members having special knowledge in arts, science, literature etc.
Shortcut: “12 Rajya Nominees – like 12 months in a year.”
Concept tag: Rajya Sabha composition -
Which of the following can be introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha? A. Constitutional Amendment Bill B. Money Bill C. Ordinary Bill D. Private Member Bill
Answer: B. Money Bill
Solution: Art. 110 defines Money Bill; it can originate only in Lok Sabha.
Shortcut: “Money starts where people sit – Lok Sabha.”
Concept tag: Money Bill -
The joint sitting of Parliament is called under which Article? A. 108 B. 110 C. 356 D. 368
Answer: A. 108
Solution: Article 108 provides for joint sitting to resolve deadlock between two houses.
Shortcut: “108 = 1-0-8, ‘One’ ‘Zero’ ‘Eight’ → Joint ‘Gate’ to end deadlock.”
Concept tag: Joint Sitting -
Who presides over the joint sitting of Parliament? A. President B. Vice-President C. Speaker of Lok Sabha D. Prime Minister
Answer: C. Speaker of Lok Sabha
Solution: Speaker presides as per Article 108(4).
Shortcut: “Joint house, Lok boss chairs.”
Concept tag: Presiding officers -
The minimum age to become a member of Rajya Sabha is A. 25 years B. 30 years C. 35 years D. 21 years
Answer: B. 30 years
Solution: Art. 84 prescribes 30 years for Rajya Sabha, 25 for Lok Sabha.
Shortcut: “RS = 30, LS = 25; reverse of alphabet count R(18) S(19) → 30.”
Concept tag: Qualifications -
The Parliament can legislate on State subject under Article 249 if A. President issues ordinance B. Lok Sabha passes resolution C. Rajya Sabha passes resolution with 2/3 majority D. Supreme Court recommends
Answer: C. Rajya Sabha passes resolution with 2/3 majority
Solution: Art. 249 enables Parliament to legislate on State list for national interest.
Shortcut: “Rajya Sabha = Council of States; 2/3 ‘states’ say yes → Centre acts.”
Concept tag: Centre-State relations -
Which schedule of the Constitution deals with allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha? A. 3rd B. 4th C. 5th D. 6th
Answer: B. 4th
Solution: 4th Schedule specifies seats allotted to each state/UT in Rajya Sabha.
Shortcut: “4th = Rajya seat chart.”
Concept tag: Schedules -
The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament must not exceed A. 3 months B. 4 months C. 5 months D. 6 months
Answer: D. 6 months
Solution: Constitutional mandate under Article 85.
Shortcut: “6-month rule – half-yearly health check of Parliament.”
Concept tag: Sessions -
A member of Lok Sabha submits resignation to A. President B. Vice-President C. Speaker D. Secretary-General
Answer: C. Speaker
Solution: Resignation must be accepted by Speaker; if office vacant, by Deputy Speaker.
Shortcut: “Speaker is HR manager of Lok Sabha.”
Concept tag: Resignation procedure -
The first woman to be appointed as Speaker of Lok Sabha is A. Indira Gandhi B. Meira Kumar C. Pratibha Patil D. Sushma Swaraj
Answer: B. Meira Kumar (2009-2014)
Solution: Meira Kumar became 1st woman Speaker on 3 June 2009.
Shortcut: “Meira = Mirror image of ‘Madam Speaker’.”
Concept tag: Firsts in Parliament
5 Previous Year Questions
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How many members of Rajya Sabha retire every second year? [RRB NTPC 2021] A. One-third B. One-half C. Two-third D. One-fourth
Answer: A. One-third
Solution: Rajya Sabha is permanent; 1/3 members retire biennially.
Shortcut: “RS = Retirement System – 1/3 every 2 yrs.”
Tag: RRB NTPC 2021 -
The Parliament of India consists of [RRB Group-D 2019] A. Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha B. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha & President C. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President & Vice-President D. Lok Sabha only
Answer: B. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha & President
Solution: Art. 79: President is integral part of Parliament.
Shortcut: “President signs bills → part of Parliament.”
Tag: RRB Group-D 2019 -
Under which article can the President promulgate an ordinance? [RRB NTPC 2016] A. 123 B. 143 C. 356 D. 360
Answer: A. 123
Solution: Ordinance power under Art. 123 when Parliament not in session.
Shortcut: “123 = quick 1-2-3 ordinance.”
Tag: RRB NTPC 2016 -
The maximum number of members in Lok Sabha from States is [RRB ALP 2018] A. 530 B. 552 C. 525 D. 543
Answer: A. 530
Solution: 530 elected from states; 20 from UTs; 2 Anglo-Indian (nomination removed 2020).
Shortcut: “530 states, 20 UT, 2 nom → 552 max.”
Tag: RRB ALP 2018 -
The Rajya Sabha has equal representation for all states: True/False? [RRB NTPC 2022] A. True B. False
Answer: B. False
Solution: Seats proportional to population; UP has 31, Sikkim 1.
Shortcut: “RS = population based, not equal like US Senate.”
Tag: RRB NTPC 2022
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Money vs. Finance Bill | Money Bill has 5 heads (Art. 110) – A B C D E: Abolition/remission of tax, Borrowing, Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, Expenditure | If bill contains only A → Money Bill |
| Rajya Sabha seats | Big 5: UP(31), MH(19), TN(18), WB(16), KA(12) → 31-19-18-16-12 = 96/238 ≈ 40% | Quick guess: largest states ≈ 40% |
| Joint sitting precedence | Lok Sabha strength ~550, Rajya Sabha ~250 → Lok Sabha wins in joint vote | Remember 2:1 ratio |
| Session sequence | Budget → Monsoon → Winter; initials BMW | BMW = Budget Monsoon Winter |
| Ordinance timeline | 6 weeks after Parliament re-assembly → max 6 months + 6 weeks | “6+6 = 12 months max life” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing VP & Speaker roles | VP is RS ex-officio chair, but never presides over joint sitting | Joint sitting always chaired by Speaker (Lok Sabha) |
| Thinking Rajya Sabha can reject Money Bill | RS can only delay 14 days; cannot amend/reject | After 14 days deemed passed |
| Forgetting President is part of Parliament | Students list only two houses | Remember Art. 79: President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha |
| Equal vs. proportional RS seats | Students equate RS to US Senate | Indian RS seats ∝ population; US Senate = 2 per state |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Maximum Lok Sabha strength | 552 (530+20+2*) |
| Rajya Sabha retirement cycle | 1/3 every 2 years |
| Only house for Money Bill | Lok Sabha |
| Article for joint sitting | 108 |
| Minimum age LS | 25 |
| Minimum age RS | 30 |
| President ordinance article | 123 |
| Maximum gap between sessions | 6 months |
| No-Confidence house | Lok Sabha |
| 12 nominated RS fields | Art, Literature, Science, Social Service |
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