- 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
Key Points: Lok Sabha
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: 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.
