What are the two houses of our parliament?

            The parliament or the Central Legislature of India consists of the President and the two Houses: The Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) and The Lok Sabha (the Lower House).

            The President is an integral part of our parliamentary democracy, but it is still in many ways above the parliament. All bills passed by the parliament must have his assent before they become law. The parliament has to meet atleast twice a year and at an interval of not more than six months.

            The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 545 (525 from the States and 20 from the Union Territories), and of the Rajya Sabha 250 (12 nominated). 

            The Lok Sabha, whose life is five years after every general election, is the lower house of the parliament and comprises members directly elected by the people. Every citizen of India who is 18 years of age or above has been given the right to vote. To qualify as a candidate for election to the Lok Sabha, one must be a citizen of India and should not be less than 25 years of age. He should also possess qualifications prescribed by the parliament. The Lok Sabha elects two of its members as Speaker and Deputy Speaker for a term in consistent with the life of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. He does not vote but can use his vote in case of a tie. He presides over the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker does not preside when a resolution for his removal is discussed in the House. The Lok Sabha can be dissolved before the stipulated or due time.

            The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the parliament, and is made up of representatives from the states or the constituent units of the Indian Union. It is a permanent body, one-third of its members retiring every two years. Thus every member enjoys a six – year term. The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved since it is a permanent body. To qualify for election to the Rajya Sabha, the candidate should be a citizen of India, and not less than 30 years of age. He should possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed, under any law made by the parliament. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman is elected from amongst the members of the Rajya Sabha.

            The Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. No bill can become a law, until it has been passed by it. The Lok Sabha shares with the Rajya Sabha the power of amending the constitution. It can also initiate a charge of impeachment against the President. The elected members of this house form a part of the Electoral College for the election of the President. The Vice-President is also elected by members of this house jointly with the members of the Rajya Sabha.

            No bill can become a law unless it has been passed by the Rajya Sabha. It shares the power with the Lok Sabha to amend the constitution. It can also introduce any bill except a money bill. No money bill can originate in the Rajya Sabha. All money bills passed by the Lok Sabha are sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. Such bills should be returned within 14 days, otherwise, they are deemed to have been passed. The members of the Rajya Sabha take part in the election of the President and the Vice-President.