Indian Parliament
Key Concepts & Formulas
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum strength of Lok Sabha | 552 (530 states + 20 UT + 2 Anglo-Indian*); *nomination ended in 2020 |
| 2 | Maximum strength of Rajya Sabha | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| 3 | Money Bill vs. Ordinary Bill | Only Lok Sabha can introduce & decide Money Bills (Art. 110) |
| 4 | Joint Sitting (Art. 108) | President can summon if bill rejected by either house; Lok Sabha strength decides |
| 5 | President’s Election | Indirect, proportional representation by single transferable vote (MPs + MLAs) |
| 6 | No-Confidence Motion | Only in Lok Sabha; needs 50 MPs support; if passed, Council of Ministers resigns |
| 7 | Parliament Sessions | 3 per year: Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (Jul-Aug), Winter (Nov-Dec); gap between two sessions ≤ 6 months |
10 Practice MCQs
1. The maximum nominated members in Rajya Sabha are
A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 20 **Answer:** B. 12 **Solution:** Article 80 allows President to nominate 12 members having special knowledge in arts, science, literature etc. **Shortcut:** “12 Rajya Nominees – like 12 months in a year.” **Concept tag:** Rajya Sabha composition2. Which of the following can be introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha?
A. Constitutional Amendment Bill B. Money Bill C. Ordinary Bill D. Private Member Bill **Answer:** B. Money Bill **Solution:** Art. 110 defines Money Bill; it can originate only in Lok Sabha. **Shortcut:** “Money starts where people sit – Lok Sabha.” **Concept tag:** Money Bill3. The joint sitting of Parliament is called under which Article?
A. 108 B. 110 C. 356 D. 368 **Answer:** A. 108 **Solution:** Article 108 provides for joint sitting to resolve deadlock between two houses. **Shortcut:** “108 = 1-0-8, ‘One’ ‘Zero’ ‘Eight’ → Joint ‘Gate’ to end deadlock.” **Concept tag:** Joint Sitting4. Who presides over the joint sitting of Parliament?
A. President B. Vice-President C. Speaker of Lok Sabha D. Prime Minister **Answer:** C. Speaker of Lok Sabha **Solution:** Speaker presides as per Article 108(4). **Shortcut:** “Joint house, Lok boss chairs.” **Concept tag:** Presiding officers5. The minimum age to become a member of Rajya Sabha is
A. 25 years B. 30 years C. 35 years D. 21 years **Answer:** B. 30 years **Solution:** Art. 84 prescribes 30 years for Rajya Sabha, 25 for Lok Sabha. **Shortcut:** “RS = 30, LS = 25; reverse of alphabet count R(18) S(19) → 30.” **Concept tag:** Qualifications6. The Parliament can legislate on State subject under Article 249 if
A. President issues ordinance B. Lok Sabha passes resolution C. Rajya Sabha passes resolution with 2/3 majority D. Supreme Court recommends **Answer:** C. Rajya Sabha passes resolution with 2/3 majority **Solution:** Art. 249 enables Parliament to legislate on State list for national interest. **Shortcut:** “Rajya Sabha = Council of States; 2/3 ‘states’ say yes → Centre acts.” **Concept tag:** Centre-State relations7. Which schedule of the Constitution deals with allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha?
A. 3rd B. 4th C. 5th D. 6th **Answer:** B. 4th **Solution:** 4th Schedule specifies seats allotted to each state/UT in Rajya Sabha. **Shortcut:** “4th = Rajya seat chart.” **Concept tag:** Schedules8. The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament must not exceed
A. 3 months B. 4 months C. 5 months D. 6 months **Answer:** D. 6 months **Solution:** Constitutional mandate under Article 85. **Shortcut:** “6-month rule – half-yearly health check of Parliament.” **Concept tag:** Sessions9. A member of Lok Sabha submits resignation to
A. President B. Vice-President C. Speaker D. Secretary-General **Answer:** C. Speaker **Solution:** Resignation must be accepted by Speaker; if office vacant, by Deputy Speaker. **Shortcut:** “Speaker is HR manager of Lok Sabha.” **Concept tag:** Resignation procedure10. The first woman to be appointed as Speaker of Lok Sabha is
A. Indira Gandhi B. Meira Kumar C. Pratibha Patil D. Sushma Swaraj **Answer:** B. Meira Kumar (2009-2014) **Solution:** Meira Kumar became 1st woman Speaker on 3 June 2009. **Shortcut:** “Meira = Mirror image of ‘Madam Speaker’.” **Concept tag:** Firsts in Parliament5 Previous Year Questions
1. How many members of Rajya Sabha retire every second year? [RRB NTPC 2021]
A. One-third B. One-half C. Two-third D. One-fourth **Answer:** A. One-third **Solution:** Rajya Sabha is permanent; 1/3 members retire biennially. **Shortcut:** “RS = Retirement System – 1/3 every 2 yrs.” **Tag:** RRB NTPC 20212. The Parliament of India consists of [RRB Group-D 2019]
A. Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha B. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha & President C. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President & Vice-President D. Lok Sabha only **Answer:** B. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha & President **Solution:** Art. 79: President is integral part of Parliament. **Shortcut:** “President signs bills → part of Parliament.” **Tag:** RRB Group-D 20193. Under which article can the President promulgate an ordinance? [RRB NTPC 2016]
A. 123 B. 143 C. 356 D. 360 **Answer:** A. 123 **Solution:** Ordinance power under Art. 123 when Parliament not in session. **Shortcut:** “123 = quick 1-2-3 ordinance.” **Tag:** RRB NTPC 20164. The maximum number of members in Lok Sabha from States is [RRB ALP 2018]
A. 530 B. 552 C. 525 D. 543 **Answer:** A. 530 **Solution:** 530 elected from states; 20 from UTs; 2 Anglo-Indian (nomination removed 2020). **Shortcut:** “530 states, 20 UT, 2 nom → 552 max.” **Tag:** RRB ALP 20185. The Rajya Sabha has equal representation for all states: True/False? [RRB NTPC 2022]
A. True B. False **Answer:** B. False **Solution:** Seats proportional to population; UP has 31, Sikkim 1. **Shortcut:** “RS = population based, not equal like US Senate.” **Tag:** RRB NTPC 2022Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Money vs. Finance Bill | Money Bill has 5 heads (Art. 110) – A B C D E: Abolition/remission of tax, Borrowing, Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, Expenditure | If bill contains only A → Money Bill |
| Rajya Sabha seats | Big 5: UP(31), MH(19), TN(18), WB(16), KA(12) → 31-19-18-16-12 = 96/238 ≈ 40% | Quick guess: largest states ≈ 40% |
| Joint sitting precedence | Lok Sabha strength ~550, Rajya Sabha ~250 → Lok Sabha wins in joint vote | Remember 2:1 ratio |
| Session sequence | Budget → Monsoon → Winter; initials BMW | BMW = Budget Monsoon Winter |
| Ordinance timeline | 6 weeks after Parliament re-assembly → max 6 months + 6 weeks | “6+6 = 12 months max life” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing VP & Speaker roles | VP is RS ex-officio chair, but never presides over joint sitting | Joint sitting always chaired by Speaker (Lok Sabha) |
| Thinking Rajya Sabha can reject Money Bill | RS can only delay 14 days; cannot amend/reject | After 14 days deemed passed |
| Forgetting President is part of Parliament | Students list only two houses | Remember Art. 79: President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha |
| Equal vs. proportional RS seats | Students equate RS to US Senate | Indian RS seats ∝ population; US Senate = 2 per state |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Maximum Lok Sabha strength | 552 (530+20+2*) |
| Rajya Sabha retirement cycle | 1/3 every 2 years |
| Only house for Money Bill | Lok Sabha |
| Article for joint sitting | 108 |
| Minimum age LS | 25 |
| Minimum age RS | 30 |
| President ordinance article | 123 |
| Maximum gap between sessions | 6 months |
| No-Confidence house | Lok Sabha |
| 12 nominated RS fields | Art, Literature, Science, Social Service |
BETA
