Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha powers)

The Indian Parliament has two Houses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Remember them as Lower and Upper House for exams.

Lok Sabha is called the Lower House of Parliament. It is made of representatives directly elected by people.

The official English name of the Rajya Sabha is the Council of States. It is the Upper House of Parliament and represents the states and Union Territories. ‘People's Council’ is not the name of the Lok Sabha. Exam tip: Remember Lok Sabha as the House of the People and Rajya Sabha as the Council of States.

Lok Sabha members are directly elected by people. Therefore it is considered closest to the people.

Most Rajya Sabha members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies. This is linked with representation of states.

A Money Bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha. Link Money Bill with special power of Lok Sabha for exams.

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. This is an important power of Lok Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha is the upper House of Parliament and represents the States and Union Territories. Its members are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, so it ensures the participation of states in India’s federal system. The Lok Sabha represents the people directly, whereas the Rajya Sabha represents the states. Exam tip: Remember the Rajya Sabha as the House of States in Parliament.

A no-confidence motion is moved against the Union Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha because the Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If the government fails to prove its majority there, it must resign. The Rajya Sabha may discuss government policies, but it cannot remove the government through a no-confidence motion. Exam tip: Link ‘collective responsibility’ with the Lok Sabha.

Ministers are collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. Its no-confidence motion can force resignation; Rajya Sabha cannot do so. Exam tip: connect this rule with collective responsibility.

A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha may only recommend changes. The Rajya Sabha has the special power to authorise Parliament to legislate on a State List matter. Exam tip: introduction of a Money Bill belongs exclusively to the Lok Sabha.

A proposed law is called a bill. Parliament discusses bills and passes them through the required procedure; this is central to making laws. Courts decide legal cases, while the executive handles day-to-day administration. Exam tip: Remember the link between a bill and a law—a passed bill forms the basis of the law-making process.

A Bill is a proposal to make a new law or amend an existing law. It is introduced in a House of Parliament and, after being passed by Parliament and receiving the President’s assent, becomes an Act (law). A court judgment is a judicial decision, not a proposal for making a law. Exam tip: Remember that a Bill is a proposed law before it becomes an Act.

An ordinary Bill must be passed by both Houses. This shows the joint legislative role of Parliament.

A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it; it may only send recommendations within 14 days, which Lok Sabha is not bound to accept. For a Constitutional Amendment Bill, both Houses have equal powers. Exam tip: Link Money Bills with the greater power of Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is never dissolved. About one-third of its members retire every two years. Lok Sabha can be dissolved. Exam tip: link the term “permanent House” with Rajya Sabha.

Parliament controls the government mainly by examining its actions and demanding explanations from ministers. Members can ask questions, raise matters of public importance, debate policies, discuss the budget, and examine whether public money is being used properly. These procedures make the executive answerable to elected representatives and give the opposition an opportunity to point out mistakes.

Therefore, option A is correct: Parliament controls the government by asking questions and debating. This does not mean that Parliament manages every daily administrative task. Its democratic role is to scrutinise decisions, influence laws and spending, and hold ministers responsible. Conducting sports, changing the weather, or running a private business has no connection with parliamentary control over the government.

Question Hour is the time when MPs ask ministers questions about government policies, schemes and administrative actions. It makes the government answerable to Parliament and strengthens accountability. Fixing MPs’ salaries and allowances may be a separate legislative matter, but it is not the purpose of Question Hour. Exam tip: remember Question Hour as a key tool of parliamentary control and accountability.

MP stands for Member of Parliament. An MP is a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha and represents people or states at the national level. An MLA is a member of a State Legislative Assembly, so an MLA is not called an MP. Exam tip: Remember that MP always expands to Member of Parliament.

Lok Sabha members are directly elected by voters from their constituencies. Therefore, they represent the interests and views of the people, not just one group such as judges, armed forces personnel, or traders. Exam tip: The Lok Sabha is directly elected, whereas Rajya Sabha members are not directly elected by the people.