Organization of the Parliament of India: An Overview


Introduction

Indian parliament is a key place where the power of Indian democracy can be seen with its all dimensions. Organization of the temple of Indian Democracy is not that complicated but bulky. Still it is important for candidates who are preparing for Exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSC etc.

If you are preparing for the same, then please be with us till the end of this article, because we have added all the related information about “Organization of the Parliament of India” in this article below.

So, let's start-

History of Indian Parliament

The history of the Indian Parliament can be traced back to the British colonial era when the Indian Councils Act of 1861 was passed, which allowed the British government to involve Indians in the legislative process.

Government of India Act

In 1919, the Government of India Act was passed, which introduced the concept of dyarchy, where some areas of governance were transferred to Indian ministers, while others were retained by the British government. This act also introduced a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Council of States (now Rajya Sabha) and the Legislative Assembly (now Lok Sabha).

Indian Independence Movement

The Indian independence movement led to the passing of the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced a federal system of government in India, along with a new bicameral legislature, consisting of the Federal Assembly (now Lok Sabha) and the Council of States (now Rajya Sabha).

After 1947

After India gained independence in 1947, a constituent assembly was formed to draft a new constitution for India. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th January 1950, and the first general elections were held in the same year, with the newly formed Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha coming into being.

Amendments to the Constitution

Over the years, the Indian Parliament has evolved, with several amendments to the Constitution and changes in the composition of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Today, it is a vital institution of India's democracy, with the power to legislate, scrutinize the actions of the government, and represent the people of India.

Organization of Indian Parliament

We have listed the Organization of Indian Parliament below-

The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament and has a maximum strength of 552 members. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house and has a maximum strength of 250 members.
The members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people of India through a system of universal adult suffrage. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the members of the state legislative assemblies. The Lok Sabha has a term of five years, while the Rajya Sabha has a term of six years. One-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha retire every two years, and new members are elected to take their place.
The President of India is an integral part of the Indian Parliament and has the power to summon and prorogue the two houses of Parliament, as well as to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The Parliament has the power to legislate on matters listed in the Union List, Concurrent List, and certain matters in the State List, as specified in the Constitution.
The Parliament is also responsible for scrutinizing the actions of the government, approving the budget, and amending the Constitution. The Parliament has several committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee, which are responsible for examining the government's policies and programs.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are the presiding officers of the two houses of Parliament and are responsible for maintaining order and conducting proceedings. The Parliament also has a system of parliamentary privileges, which grant certain rights and immunities to its members, such as freedom of speech and protection from arrest during parliamentary proceedings.

Significance of Indian Parliament

The Indian Parliament is a crucial institution in the functioning of India's democracy and governance. Some of the key significance of the Indian Parliament is:

Legislative Function

The Parliament is responsible for making laws on a wide range of subjects, which affect the lives of people across the country. The Parliament has the power to enact laws and amend the Constitution, which is crucial for the progress and development of the nation.

Financial Function

The Parliament has the power to approve the budget and grants for various government programs and initiatives. It also plays a key role in monitoring the government's expenditure and ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently.

Representation

The Indian Parliament represents the diversity of the country, with members elected from different regions, religions, and social groups. It provides a platform for the voices of all sections of the society to be heard and ensures that their interests are represented in the law-making process.

Oversight

The Parliament has the power to scrutinize the actions of the government, hold it accountable for its policies and programs, and ensure that it is working in the best interests of the people.

Constitutional Function

The Parliament plays a crucial role in amending the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. It ensures that the Constitution remains relevant and reflects the changing needs and aspirations of the people.

Updated on: 05-May-2023

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