- Federalism means division of power between Centre and States, both deriving authority from the Constitution.
- India follows a federal system with a strong unitary bias to maintain unity.
- There are three levels of government: Union, States, and Local bodies (Panchayats & Municipalities).
- Powers and revenues are clearly divided, and disputes are settled by the Supreme Court.
- Federalism suits India’s large size, diversity, and unity, preventing separatism.
Key Points
Key Points: Federal Setup in India
Key Points: Non-Federal or Unitary Features
- Strong Centre: Centre has more powers; it dominates the Concurrent List and overall federal structure.
- Single Constitution & Citizenship: One Constitution and one citizenship for the whole country.
- Flexible Constitution: Parliament can amend most parts without States’ consent.
- Unequal State Representation: Rajya Sabha seats depend on population, not equality of States.
- Union Territories: Directly controlled by the Centre, showing unitary character.
Key Points: The Union Parliament
- The Union Parliament consists of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- India follows a representative democracy where people rule through elected representatives.
- Parliament represents the will of the people.
- It has supreme law-making power in the country.
Key Points: Lok Sabha
- Members are directly elected by the people of India.
- Term: 5 years; can be dissolved earlier by the President; extended during National Emergency.
- Maximum strength: 550 members
530 from States
20 from Union Territories - Anglo-Indian nomination ended by the 104th Constitutional Amendment (2020).
- Minimum age: 25 years; must be an Indian citizen and a registered voter.
- A member is disqualified if holding office of profit, of unsound mind, insolvent, foreign citizen, criminal, or under anti-defection law.
- A seat becomes vacant by resignation, prolonged absence (60 days), disqualification, defection, or holding two legislatures.
Key Points: Parliamentary Procedures of Lok Sabha
- Sessions: Parliament meets at least twice a year; usually three sessions—Budget, Monsoon and Winter.
- Quorum: Minimum one-tenth of total members must be present to conduct business.
- Question Hour: First hour of a sitting; members ask questions to hold the government accountable.
- Zero Hour: Time after Question Hour to raise urgent matters without prior notice.
- Motions: Includes Adjournment Motion (urgent public issue) and No-Confidence Motion (can force government to resign).
Key Points: Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha and conducts its proceedings.
- He/She has wide powers to maintain order and discipline, and decisions cannot be questioned in court.
- The Speaker is elected from among Lok Sabha members for a term of five years and can be re-elected.
- He/She continues in office even after dissolution until a new Speaker is elected.
- The Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker’s duties in his/her absence and is elected in the same manner.
Key Points: Role and Functions of the Speaker
- Presides over the House: Conducts sittings, allots time, interprets rules, and his/her decisions are final.
- Controls legislative work: Decides admissibility of questions/motions, signs Bills, puts matters to vote, certifies Money Bills.
- Maintains discipline: Maintains order, suspends members, expunges unparliamentary words, and adjourns the House if needed.
- Administrative authority: Receives petitions, communicates decisions, regulates entry of visitors and press.
- Other key roles: Heads/appoints parliamentary committees, decides Anti-Defection cases, presides over joint sittings and official conferences.
Key Points: Rajya Sabha
- The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament and represents the States of the Indian Union.
- It has a maximum strength of 250 members: 238 elected by States/UTs and 12 nominated by the President.
- It is a permanent House; members have a 6-year term, with one-third retiring every two years.
- Members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation; minimum age is 30 years.
- The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman, assisted by a Deputy Chairman elected from its members.
Key Points: Powers and Functions of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha
- Both Houses share equal powers in legislation, constitutional amendments, impeachment, emergencies, and judicial matters.
- Lok Sabha has greater financial powers: Money Bills can be introduced only here, and it controls the Council of Ministers.
- Parliament makes laws on Union, Concurrent and Residuary Lists, and on State List subjects in special situations.
- Parliament exercises control over the Executive through Question Hour, No-Confidence Motion, Adjournment Motion, etc.
- Special powers: Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to legislate on State subjects, while Lok Sabha alone can pass No-Confidence Motions.
Key Points: Relationship and Differences Between the Two Houses of Parliament
- Representation: Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, while Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected and represents the States.
- Legislative Power: Ordinary Bills can start in either House, but in a joint sitting, Lok Sabha dominates due to larger strength and Speaker’s control.
- Money Bills: Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes within 14 days.
- Control over Executive: The Council of Ministers is responsible only to Lok Sabha; No-Confidence Motion can be moved only there.
- Emergency: If Lok Sabha is dissolved during National Emergency, Rajya Sabha acts as the main legislature.
Key Points: Revocation of Articles 370 and 35A: Origin, Abrogation, and Key Differences
- Origin: J&K acceded to India in 1947, giving control only over Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications; Article 370 gave it special status and Article 35A defined permanent residents.
- Before Abrogation: J&K had special powers, dual citizenship, separate Constitution and flag, and limited application of Indian laws.
- Abrogation (5 Aug 2019): Article 370 and 35A were revoked and J&K was divided into two UTs—Jammu & Kashmir (with Assembly) and Ladakh (without Assembly).
- After Abrogation: Single citizenship, Indian Constitution and Tricolour applicable, RTI and IPC enforced, and minorities get reservation benefits.
- Impact: People of J&K now receive full benefits of central government schemes and outsiders can buy property there.
Important Questions [60]
- What Happens When a Motion of ‘No-confidence’ is Passed Against a Minister ?
- Name the Two Types of Authority in the Federal Setup of India.
- State the Minimum Number of Times the Lok Sabha Must Meet in a Year.
- What is the Normal Term of Office of the Lok Sabha?
- How many members are nominated by the President to the Lok Sabha? Which community do they represent?
- Mr. Raj wants to be a member of the Lok Sabha. Mention any three qualifications required to contest elections for the Lok Sabha.
- With Reference to the Union Legislature, Answer the Following Questions: Give Reasons to Justify Why the Lok Sabha is Considered to Be More Powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
- The strength of the house is 550. On a particular day, 50 members are present. The speaker decides to adjourn the house. Identify the MOST LIKELY reason for the adjournment.
- A major natural calamity has taken place and the opposition wants the house to lay aside all other business and take up this matter of urgent importance.
- What Happens If a Vote of No-confidence is Passed Against a Minister in the Lok Sabha?
- Mention One Provision of the Constitution Which Clearly Establishes the Supremacy of the Lok Sabha with Regard to Money Bills.
- What is the Required Quorum to Hold the Meeting of the Lok Sabha?
- Who Presides Over the Joint Session of the Two Houses of Parliament?
- Name the Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha.
- State Any Two Disciplinary Functions of the Speaker.
- With Reference to the Union Legislature, Answer the Following Questions: How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Elected?
- When Can the Speaker of Lok Sabha Cast His Vote?
- Name the Bill that Cannot Originate in the Rajya Sabha.
- How Are the Rajya Sabha Members Elected?
- How Long Can the Rajya Sabha Retain the Money Bill Sent by the Lok Sabha?
- State Any One Subject Wherein the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Enjoy Co-equal Powers in Legislation of Laws.
- Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
- The Rajya Sabha is the Second Chamber of the Indian Parliament and Represents the Interest of the States. in this Context Explain the Following: Its Composition
- The Rajya Sabha is the Second Chamber of the Indian Parliament and Represents the Interest of the States. in this Context Explain the Following: Qualifications for Membership.
- The Rajya Sabha is the Second Chamber of the Indian Parliament and Represents the Interest of the States. in this Context Explain the Following: a Term of the House and Any Two of Its Legislative Powers.
- Why is the Rajya Sabha Called a 'Permanent House'?
- With Reference to the Indian Parliament, Explain the Following: the Composition of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- State the meaning of the term Question Hour.
- The Parliament is the Body of Peoples Representatives Who Have Supreme Power in a Democracy. with Reference to Union Legislature Answer the Following: How Are the Members of Rajya Sabha Elected
- The Union Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the country. With reference to the Indian Parliament answer the following question: Explain the composition of the Rajya Sabha.
- Read the given news carefully and answer the question that follows: Govt's power to promulgate, repromulgate Ordinances - why and how Mention any two points regarding an ordinance from the news.
- What is Understood by the Term 'Individual Responsibility' in a Parliamentary Democracy?
- What is Meant by a 'Single Integrated Judicial System' as Provided in the Indian Constitution?
- With Reference to the Indian Parliament, Explain the Following: the Tenure of the Members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- What is Meant by the Term ‘Quorum’?
- The Powers and Functions of the Indian Parliament Are Wide-ranging. in this Context Answer the Following: Mention Any Three Special Powers of the Rajya Sabha
- With Reference to the Indian Parliament, Explain the Following: Its Powers to Make Laws on Subjects Mentioned in The Union List And Concurrent List.
- The Powers and Functions of the Indian Parliament Are Wide-ranging. in this Context Answer the Following: Explain Three Ways in Which the Legislature Exercise Control Over the Executive.
- What is Meant by the Term Universal Adult Franchise?
- State Any One Federal Feature of the Indian Constitution.
- Discuss the Relationship Between the Two Houses of the State Legislature with Reference to the Following: Money Bills
- Discuss the Relationship Between the Two Houses of the State Legislature with Reference to the Following: Non-money Bills
- Discuss the relationship between the two houses of the State Legislature with reference to the following: Control over the Executive
- The Union Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the country. With reference to the Indian Parliament answer the following question: Mention any two powers exclusive to the Rajya Sabha.
- What is meant by the term ‘Session’? Name the three Sessions of the Union Parliament.
- State Any One Condition When the Parliament Can Legislate on Subjects in the State List.
- With reference to the Union Parliament, answer the following questions: How many members may be nominated to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?
- The Union Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the country. With reference to the Indian Parliament answer the following question: Mention any two exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha.
- The Parliament is the body of peoples representatives who have Supreme power in a democracy. :State any two Financial and any two Legislative powers of the Indian Parliament.
- An ordinance has to be approved by the Parliament within ______ weeks.
- What is the Maximum Gap Allowed Between the Two Parliamentary Sessions?
- Name the two houses of the Union Parliament.
- Explain Any Two Conditions Under Which a Member of Parliament Can Be Disqualified Under the Anti-defection Law.
- What is Meant by ‘Residuary Powers’ of the Parliament?
- State any two legislative powers of the Cabinet.
- The Powers and Functions of the Indian Parliament Are Wide-ranging. in this Context Answer the Following: Mention Any Two Judicial Powers and Two Electoral Powers of the Indian Parliament.
- The Union Legislature comprises the President and the two houses of the Parliament. Mention any three legislative powers of the Union Parliament.
- The Union Legislature comprises the President and the two houses of the Parliament. The Parliament controls the Executive. Mention any four ways in which it exercises its control.
- The Union Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the country. The Rajya Sabha is called a Permanent House. Explain this statement.
- The Parliament is the Body of Peoples Representatives Who Have Supreme Power in a Democracy. with Reference to the Union Legislature Answer the Following : Why is It Called a Permanent House ?
Concepts [11]
- Federal Setup in India
- Non-Federal or Unitary Features
- The Union Parliament
- Lok Sabha
- Parliamentary Procedures of Lok Sabha
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Role and Functions of the Speaker
- Rajya Sabha
- Powers and Functions of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha
- Relationship and Differences Between the Two Houses of Parliament
- Revocation of Articles 370 and 35A: Origin, Abrogation, and Key Differences
