Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha powers)

The Parliament of India has two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In exams, remember the names of both Houses.

Lok Sabha is the Lower House of Parliament and is directly elected by people. In exams, remember it as the House of the People.

Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. It represents the States and Union Territories and is constitutionally known as the Council of States. ‘Council of States’ is its formal constitutional name, whereas the question asks for its commonly used description. Exam tip: remember Lok Sabha as the Lower House and Rajya Sabha as the Upper House.

Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people. In exams, remember the term direct election.

The main function of Parliament is to make laws for the country. Members of Parliament discuss and pass bills, which become laws through the constitutional process. Parliament also keeps a check on the government, but organising games, running private shops, and issuing weather forecasts are not its functions. Exam tip: Remember Parliament as the legislature, whose central role is law-making.

The Rajya Sabha is called the Council of States because its members represent the States and Union Territories. Therefore, representation of the States is correct. The Lok Sabha directly represents the people, whereas the Rajya Sabha is constitutionally linked mainly with representation of the States. Exam tip: remember Rajya Sabha as the Council of States.

A Money Bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha. In exams, remember the link between Money Bill and Lok Sabha.

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. In exams, remember government accountability and Lok Sabha.

The government needs the confidence of Lok Sabha. In exams, link majority with government survival.

A no-confidence motion is moved in Lok Sabha. In exams, connect it with government accountability.

An ordinary bill can be introduced in either House. In exams, remember the difference between Money Bill and ordinary bill.

An ordinary bill generally has to be passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In exams, remember both Houses.

The Vice President of India is the ex officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. In exams, remember Vice President and Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha is the House representing the states. In exams, remember federal representation.

The party or coalition with majority in Lok Sabha forms the government. In exams, remember majority in Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha represents states in the federal system. In exams, remember states’ voice.

In a representative democracy, citizens cannot all sit together in Parliament to discuss every law and policy. They choose representatives through elections. Members of Parliament carry local and public concerns into parliamentary debates, ask questions, discuss bills, examine government actions, and help make laws. In this way, the voices and interests of different groups can be considered in national decision-making.

Option A is correct because elected representatives perform this role. Police officers may maintain law and order, private traders conduct business, and players take part in sport, but none of these groups collectively represent the people in Parliament simply because of their occupations. Representation depends on election and public responsibility. MPs are expected to remain answerable to citizens and to use parliamentary institutions to express concerns and scrutinize the government.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and, unlike the Lok Sabha, it is not dissolved as a whole. About one-third of its members retire every two years and new members are elected in their place, so the House continues to function without interruption. Option B is incorrect because all members do not retire every year. Exam tip: Rajya Sabha is a permanent House; Lok Sabha can be dissolved.

Lok Sabha has primacy in financial matters. In exams, remember financial control and Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha has an important role in ordinary bills. In exams, remember both Houses in ordinary bills.