Parliament — Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Sessions & Legislation

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India — a bicameral legislature comprising the President, Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). This topic covers composition, powers, sessions, the full legislative process, parliamentary committees, privileges, and the Anti-Defection Law.

UPSC Prelims · Mains GS-II Laxmikanth Ch. 22–25 ~28 min read Arts 79–122 High Priority

Conceptual Clarity — Parliament in India's Constitutional Design

India has a bicameral Parliament (Art 79) — unlike the US Congress, both houses do NOT have equal powers. Lok Sabha is superior in financial and confidence matters. Key distinctions UPSC tests:

Money Bill — only Lok Sabha; RS can only delay 14 days.
No-confidence motion — only in Lok Sabha; defeats government.
Rajya Sabha's special powers — Art 249 (State List legislation), Art 312 (new All India Services) — only RS can pass these by 2/3 majority.
Permanent body — RS never dissolves; 1/3 members retire every 2 years.
Joint Sitting — only for Ordinary and Financial Bills, NOT for Money Bills or Constitution Amendment Bills.

Fig 10.1 — Structure of Parliament: President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

1. Lok Sabha — House of the People

1.1 Constitutional Provisions

Article 81 — Composition of Lok Sabha.
Maximum strength: 552 (530 from States + 20 from UTs + 2 nominated Anglo-Indians — but the 104th Amendment 2020 removed the Anglo-Indian nomination; now the maximum is 550 elected + nomination provision removed).
Present strength: 543 elected seats.
Normal term: 5 years from the date of its first sitting after a general election. Can be extended during a National Emergency (Art 352) by Parliament by law — one year at a time.
Can be dissolved before 5 years by the President on the advice of the PM (Art 85).

1.2 Qualification to Become a Member (Art 84)

Must be a citizen of India.
Must be not less than 25 years of age.
Must be registered as a voter in any Parliamentary constituency.
Must possess other qualifications prescribed by Parliament.

1.3 Disqualification (Arts 101–103, 10th Schedule)

Holds an office of profit under government (except exempted offices).
Declared of unsound mind by a court.
Undischarged insolvent.
Not a citizen of India or voluntarily acquired citizenship of a foreign state.
Disqualified under any law made by Parliament (e.g., Representation of People Act 1951 — convicted and sentenced to 2+ years imprisonment).
10th Schedule (Anti-Defection) — voluntarily gives up party membership or votes against party direction.
Disqualification on grounds of defection decided by the Speaker (subject to judicial review — Kihoto Hollohan 1992).

1.4 The Speaker of Lok Sabha

Elected by Lok Sabha members from among themselves (Art 93).
Holds office during the life of the Lok Sabha — vacates on dissolution unless re-elected.
Removal: by a resolution passed by an effective majority (majority of total membership) — requires 14 days' prior notice.
Casting vote: Speaker does not vote in the first instance; casts vote only in case of a tie.
Powers: conducts proceedings, decides admissibility of bills, certifies Money Bills (Art 110), presides over Joint Sittings (Art 108), decides anti-defection cases under 10th Schedule.
Speaker is the guardian of Parliamentary privileges.
Pro Tem Speaker: appointed by President to administer oath to new members before a new Lok Sabha elects its Speaker.

Key fact: When a resolution for removal of the Speaker is pending, the Speaker cannot preside but may be present and speak. The Deputy Speaker presides.

2. Rajya Sabha — Council of States

2.1 Constitutional Provisions

Article 80 — Composition of Rajya Sabha.
Maximum strength: 250 (238 elected/nominated from States/UTs + 12 nominated by the President).
Present strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated).
Permanent body — never dissolves. 1/3 of members retire every 2 years (6-year term for each member).
First RS election: 1952.

2.2 Nomination by President (12 Members)

The President nominates 12 members having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service (Art 80(1)(a)). Borrowed from Ireland.

2.3 Allocation of Seats to States

Based on population — larger states get more seats (4th Schedule). e.g., Uttar Pradesh: 31 seats; smaller states like Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland: 1 seat each.

2.4 Qualification (Art 84)

Citizen of India.
Must be not less than 30 years of age.
Must be registered as a voter in the state from which elected (requirement of being a resident of the state was removed by the Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2003).

2.5 Chairman of Rajya Sabha

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Art 64).
Deputy Chairman elected by RS members from among themselves.
Unlike Lok Sabha Speaker, the Vice-President is NOT a member of RS.
Chairman can be removed by RS by an effective majority — but only after a resolution has been passed by the Lok Sabha (Art 67(b)) for removal of VP.

2.6 Special Powers of Rajya Sabha

Art 249 — State List Legislation

RS can authorise Parliament to legislate on a State List subject if it passes a resolution by 2/3 majority of members present and voting — national interest. Valid for 1 year (renewable).

Art 312 — All India Services

RS can pass a resolution by 2/3 majority to create new All India Services (e.g., IAS, IPS, IFS). Only RS can initiate this — reflects its federal character.

Mnemonic — RS Special Powers: "RS has SPECIAL powers — 249 (State List) and 312 (New AIS) — both need 2/3 majority of members present and voting."

3. Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha — Comparison

Feature	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Article	Art 81	Art 80
Max strength	550 (elected) — currently 543	250 — currently 245
Min age	25 years	30 years
Term	5 years (dissolvable)	6 years per member; permanent body
Presiding officer	Speaker (elected by LS members)	Vice-President (ex-officio Chairman)
Dissolution	Can be dissolved by President	Cannot be dissolved
Money Bill	Exclusively — Speaker certifies	Only 14-day delay; cannot amend
No-confidence motion	Only in LS; defeats government	No such provision
Special powers	Money Bill, Financial Bill, Joint Sitting (Speaker presides)	Art 249 (State List), Art 312 (AIS)
Joint Sitting	Yes (Art 108) — Speaker presides	Yes (Art 108)
Nominated members	None (104th Amendment removed Anglo-Indian nomination)	12 by President (lit/sci/art/social service)
Election basis	Direct election by voters	Indirect — elected by State Legislative Assemblies

4. Parliamentary Sessions, Prorogation & Dissolution

4.1 Sessions

There is no fixed number of sessions per year in the Constitution — the President summons Parliament (Art 85). By convention, there are 3 sessions:

Session	Approximate Period	Key Business
Budget Session	Feb–May	Presentation and passage of the Union Budget
Monsoon Session	July–August	General legislation, bills
Winter Session	Nov–December	Legislation, questions, private member bills

Constitutional requirement: The gap between two sessions must not exceed 6 months (Art 85). So Parliament must meet at least twice a year.

4.2 Summoning, Prorogation and Dissolution

Term	Meaning	Effect on pending business
Summoning	President summons Parliament to meet (Art 85(1))	—
Adjournment	Suspension of sitting within a session — for hours/days/weeks	Pending bills/resolutions lapse for that day but resume next sitting
Adjournment sine die	Termination of a sitting without fixing a date for the next sitting	Business continues in next sitting
Prorogation	President terminates a session (Art 85(2)(a))	All pending notices lapse; pending bills do NOT lapse
Dissolution	End of Lok Sabha's life (Art 85(2)(b)) — only Lok Sabha is dissolved	All pending bills lapse (except bills pending in RS or bills passed by both Houses)

4.3 Quorum

Minimum number required to transact business: 1/10th of total membership of each House.
LS quorum: 55 (1/10 of 545 including Speaker) | RS quorum: 25 (1/10 of 250).
If quorum is not present, the presiding officer adjourns the House.

4.4 Lame-Duck Session

The session of Lok Sabha held after a general election is announced but before the newly-elected House meets. Members who have lost in the election but are still part of the outgoing House are called lame ducks.

5. Types of Bills

5.1 Ordinary Bill

Can be introduced in either House.
Passed by both Houses by simple majority.
If disagreement between Houses — Joint Sitting under Art 108.
Sent to President for assent — he can give assent, withhold assent, return for reconsideration (once). If returned and passed again, must give assent.

5.2 Money Bill (Art 110)

Deals only with: imposition/abolition/remission/alteration/regulation of any tax; regulation of borrowing; custody of Consolidated Fund; appropriation of money from Consolidated Fund; declaring any expenditure charged on Consolidated Fund; receipt of money into or issue of money from Consolidated Fund; receipt, custody, issue of any other public money.
Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha and only on the recommendation of the President.
Certified as Money Bill by the Speaker of Lok Sabha — Speaker's certificate is final and conclusive (not subject to judicial review — Art 110(3)).
After passing LS, sent to RS — RS can make recommendations but cannot amend or reject. Must return within 14 days. If not returned in 14 days, deemed passed. LS may accept or reject RS recommendations.
No Joint Sitting for Money Bills.
Sent to President — can only give assent or withhold (cannot return).

Key distinction — Money Bill vs Financial Bill: All Money Bills are Financial Bills but not all Financial Bills are Money Bills. A Financial Bill (Category I) contains some provisions of Art 110 plus other matters. A Financial Bill (Category II) involves expenditure from Consolidated Fund. Money Bill deals ONLY with Art 110 matters.

5.3 Finance Bill

The bill containing taxation proposals of the Union Budget. Passes through same procedure as a Money Bill.
Must be passed by Lok Sabha before it can be presented for presidential assent.

5.4 Constitution Amendment Bill (Art 368)

Can be introduced in either House.
Must be passed by each House separately — no Joint Sitting.
Special majority required: majority of total membership + 2/3 of members present and voting.
Some provisions require ratification by at least half the State Legislatures.

5.5 Private Member Bill

Introduced by any MP who is not a minister.
Discussed only on Fridays (private member business days).
Very rarely passed — last significant one: Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970.

Bill Type	Introduced in	Disagreement resolved by	President
Ordinary Bill	Either House	Joint Sitting (Art 108)	Assent/Return/Withhold
Money Bill	Lok Sabha only	No joint sitting — LS prevails	Assent or withhold only
Finance Bill	Lok Sabha only	No joint sitting	Assent or withhold only
Constitutional Amendment	Either House	No joint sitting — each House separately	Must give assent (no return)

Fig 10.3 — Money Bill vs Ordinary Bill vs Financial Bill: Key differences

6. Legislative Process — Stages of an Ordinary Bill

6.1 Five Readings

Stage	What happens
First Reading	Bill introduced — title and objectives read out; no discussion on merits. Published in Gazette.
Second Reading	General discussion on principles; may be referred to Select/Joint Committee or circulated for public opinion. Clause-by-clause consideration. Most important stage.
Committee Stage	Select or Joint Committee examines bill clause by clause; reports back to the House.
Third Reading	Only formal amendments allowed; bill passed by simple majority.
In Other House	Same 3-reading procedure in the other House. If passed — sent to President. If disagreement — Joint Sitting (for Ordinary Bills).

6.2 Presidential Assent (Art 111)

Absolute Veto: President withholds assent — bill does not become law.
Suspensive Veto: President returns bill for reconsideration — if passed again by both Houses (with or without amendments), must give assent.
Pocket Veto: President neither gives assent nor returns — keeps the bill pending indefinitely. No time limit set in Indian Constitution (unlike USA's 10-day limit). Used by President Zail Singh in 1986 for the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill.
For Money Bills: no return option — assent or withhold only.
For Constitution Amendment Bills: must give assent (24th Amendment 1971 — Art 368(2) makes it mandatory).

Fig 10.2 — Ordinary Bill: Step-by-step legislative process from introduction to Presidential assent

7. Joint Sitting of Parliament (Art 108)

A deadlock between the two Houses on an Ordinary Bill is resolved by a Joint Sitting summoned by the President. The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides.

7.1 When is Joint Sitting Called?

A deadlock is deemed to exist when:

A bill passed by one House is rejected by the other.
The Houses disagree about amendments.
More than 6 months have elapsed from the date of reception of the bill without the other House passing it.

7.2 Joint Sittings in History (Only 3 Times)

Year	Bill
1961	Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959
1978	Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977
2002	Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002

7.3 Bills NOT Subject to Joint Sitting

Money Bills — LS has overriding power; no joint sitting.
Constitution Amendment Bills — must be passed separately by each House.
Financial Bills — category-I bills treated like Money Bills in joint sitting.

UPSC trap: Joint Sitting is presided by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, NOT the VP/Chairman. The President only summons it — does not preside.

8. Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committees are the "eyes and ears" of Parliament — they scrutinise bills, government expenditure, and administration in detail. Two main categories:

8.1 Standing Committees (Permanent, constituted every year)

Financial Committees

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) — examines appropriation and finance accounts; reports on government expenditure vs budgetary grants. Chairman traditionally from Opposition. 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS).
Estimates Committee — examines estimates of expenditure; only LS members (30). No RS members. Suggests economies.
Committee on Public Undertakings — examines working of public sector undertakings. 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS).

Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

24 committees covering all ministries (e.g., Committee on Finance, Committee on Home Affairs). Each has 31 members (21 from LS + 10 from RS). Scrutinise bills, demands for grants, and annual reports of ministries. Most important reform for bill scrutiny.

8.2 Ad Hoc Committees (Temporary — for specific purpose)

Select Committee — members from one House only; examine a specific bill.
Joint Committee — members from both Houses; examine a bill or investigate a specific matter.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) — high-profile investigation committees (e.g., JPC on Bofors, Harshad Mehta scam, 2G spectrum). Members from both Houses.

8.3 Other Important Committees

Committee	Function
Business Advisory Committee	Recommends time allocation for legislative business in each House
Committee on Privileges	Investigates breach of privilege cases
Rules Committee	Considers matters of procedure and conduct of business
Committee on Petitions	Examines petitions of citizens on bills and matters of general public interest
Committee on Govt Assurances	Scrutinises assurances given by ministers on the floor of the House
Committee on Subordinate Legislation	Examines whether powers delegated by Parliament to executive are being properly exercised

Fig 10.4 — Parliamentary Committees: Standing and Ad Hoc committees structure

9. Parliamentary Privileges (Arts 105 & 194)

Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities and exemptions enjoyed by the two Houses, their committees and members — necessary for free functioning.

9.1 Individual Privileges

Freedom of speech — no court can question anything said in Parliament (Art 105(2)). Complete immunity.
Immunity from arrest — members cannot be arrested in civil cases during the session, 40 days before session, and 40 days after session. Not applicable in criminal cases.
Right to exclude strangers — members can ask for closed-door proceedings.
Exemption from jury service — members not liable for jury duty during session.

9.2 Collective Privileges

Right to publish debates and proceedings; right to exclude strangers.
Right to punish members and outsiders for breach of privilege or contempt of House.
Right to regulate internal affairs without court interference.
Freedom from arrest and obstruction of members going to/from House.

9.3 Breach of Privilege and Contempt

Any disregard or attack on rights and dignities of the House = contempt of Parliament.
Each House is its own judge of privilege questions — through its Committee on Privileges.
Punishment: reprimand, admonition, imprisonment, expulsion from House.

Judicial Limitation: In MSM Sharma v. Sri Krishna Sinha (1959) — SC held that Parliamentary privileges override Fundamental Rights to some extent. However, in Raja Ram Pal v. Speaker (2007) — SC held courts can examine whether the punishment (expulsion) was within the scope of privilege.

10. Current Affairs Link

One Nation One Election

The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections (Kovind Committee, 2024) recommended holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously in two phases. The 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha (December 2024) proposes Articles 82A, 83(3), and related changes. Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny.

Vice-President & Rajya Sabha Chairmanship

In 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice-President. As RS Chairman, he has been at the centre of several privilege and conduct controversies — reflecting the tension between the presiding officer's discretion and parliamentary norms.

Speaker's Role in Anti-Defection

The Supreme Court in Subhash Desai v. Principal Secretary (2023) — Maharashtra political crisis — reiterated that the Speaker cannot act in a partisan manner in anti-defection cases and reinforced the Nabam Rebia (2016) principle that a Speaker facing a removal notice cannot decide defection cases.

Current Affairs 2025

The Parliamentary Standing Committee system was strengthened through the 2021 reform that increased the number of DRSCs from 24 to maintain their role as the primary pre-legislative scrutiny mechanism — especially relevant as fewer bills are being referred to committees in recent sessions.

11. Prelims PYQs

Prelims 2023

With reference to the Parliament of India, which one of the following is NOT correct?
(a) A bill pending in Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution (b) A bill passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha lapses on dissolution of Lok Sabha (c) A bill pending in Rajya Sabha but not passed by Lok Sabha does not lapse (d) A joint sitting can be called to resolve a disagreement between the two Houses over a Money Bill.
Answer: (d) — A Joint Sitting CANNOT be called for a Money Bill. Only for Ordinary Bills under Art 108.

Prelims 2022

Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding disqualification of members of Parliament and State Legislatures on grounds of defection?
Answer: Tenth Schedule (added by 52nd Amendment 1985).

Prelims 2021

Which of the following can a Speaker NOT do?
(a) Adjourn the House (b) Certify a Money Bill (c) Preside over Joint Sitting (d) Vote on every bill
Answer: (d) — The Speaker votes only in the case of a tie (casting vote), not on every bill.

Prelims 2020

A Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament if it is NOT returned by the Rajya Sabha within — (a) 10 days (b) 14 days (c) 20 days (d) 30 days
Answer: (b) 14 days (Art 109(5)).

Prelims 2019

In India, the Parliament cannot enact a law on a subject in the State List unless — which of the following is NOT a situation permitting this? (a) Rajya Sabha passes resolution under Art 249 (b) National Emergency (c) President's Rule in a state (d) Rajya Sabha passes resolution under Art 312
Answer: (d) — Art 312 is for creation of new All India Services, not for legislation on State List subjects.

Prelims 2018

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the "Estimates Committee"? (1) It has members only from Lok Sabha. (2) It examines the economy and efficiency of central government expenditure.
Answer: Both 1 and 2 — Estimates Committee has 30 members, all from Lok Sabha (unlike PAC which has RS members too).

Prelims 2017

With reference to the Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) There is no provision for Joint Sitting for a Constitution Amendment Bill. (2) The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer: Both 1 and 2.

Prelims 2016

Which one of the following can be introduced only in Lok Sabha and not in Rajya Sabha?
Answer: A Money Bill (Art 109) — can only be introduced in Lok Sabha, not Rajya Sabha.

12. Mains PYQs

Mains GS-II 2023

The role of the Rajya Sabha in Indian democracy goes beyond being a revising chamber — it represents the federal principle and gives voice to states. Examine. (250 words)

Hint: RS as a permanent body; indirect election by State Assemblies (federal basis); special powers (Art 249, 312); bills cannot be rushed through — deliberation value; weaknesses — party discipline weakens state interest representation; members not required to be residents of the state (post-2003); conclusion — federal character diluted but institutional check remains.

Mains GS-II 2022

The Parliament of India has been losing its effectiveness as a deliberative and legislative body. Examine the reasons and suggest reforms. (250 words)

Hint: Declining sitting days (from 140+ in 1950s to 60-70 now); bills passed without referring to committees; disruptions and adjournments; dominance of executive; whip system eroding deliberation; reforms — fixed minimum sitting days, mandatory committee referral for all bills, independent Speaker, stronger anti-disruption rules, technology for remote participation.

Mains GS-II 2019

"Parliamentary committees are the backbone of Parliamentary functioning." Discuss the role of Parliamentary Committees in ensuring accountability of the executive. (150 words)

Hint: Types of committees — PAC (past expenditure), Estimates (future expenditure), DRSCs (pre-legislative scrutiny, ministry oversight); PAC Chairman from Opposition; weaknesses — non-binding recommendations, government often ignores; JPC examples (2G, coal scam); reform — make committee attendance mandatory, increase staff, bind government to respond within fixed time.

Mains GS-II 2017

Anti-Defection Law has been criticised for curtailing the freedom of legislators. Do you agree? Suggest reforms. (150 words)

Hint: Intent — prevent horse-trading, ensure stability; issues — Speaker as judge in own cause (partisan), no conscience vote, merger loophole; Nabam Rebia (2016) — Speaker facing removal notice cannot decide; Subhash Desai (2023) — reaffirmed; reforms — independent tribunal/ECI as deciding authority; carve out for conscience vote on non-confidence issues; time-bound decision-making mandate.

Mains GS-II 2015

What are the circumstances under which a Money Bill can be introduced in India? Distinguish between a Money Bill and a Financial Bill. (150 words)

Hint: Art 110 definition — 7 matters; only in LS; only on President's recommendation; Speaker certifies; RS has 14 days only; no Joint Sitting. Financial Bill — Category I (Art 117(1)) contains Money Bill matters + other matters; Category II (Art 117(3)) involves Consolidated Fund expenditure but not exclusively Art 110 matters — can be introduced in either house but requires Presidential recommendation.

Mains GS-II Expected 2026

"One Nation One Election is structurally sound but constitutionally complex." Critically examine with reference to the parliamentary system of government in India. (250 words)

Hint: Arguments for — reduced costs, policy paralysis, Model Code of Code disruptions; constitutional challenges — Art 83 (LS term 5 years, not rigid), Art 356 (President's Rule dissolves assembly), need for constitutional amendment (Arts 83, 85, 172, 174, 356); Kovind Committee recommendations (2024); against — federal concerns, premature dissolution problem, undemocratic midterm elections.

13. 15-Minute Revision Box

Must-Remember Numbers

Lok Sabha:

Max strength: 550 elected (currently 543)
Min age: 25 years | Term: 5 years
Quorum: 1/10th = 55
Speaker: elected by LS members
Remove Speaker: effective majority (14 days' notice)

Rajya Sabha:

Max strength: 250 (currently 245)
Min age: 30 years | Term: 6 years (permanent body)
12 nominated by President
Chairman: VP (ex-officio)
Quorum: 1/10th = 25

Bills:

Money Bill — LS only; RS 14 days; no joint sitting; Speaker certifies
Ordinary Bill — either House; deadlock → Joint Sitting (Art 108)
Constitutional Amendment — either House; no joint sitting; special majority
President's pocket veto — no time limit in India (Zail Singh 1986)

Key Articles:

Art 79 — Parliament of India
Art 80 — Rajya Sabha composition
Art 81 — Lok Sabha composition
Art 93 — Speaker/Deputy Speaker of LS
Art 105 — Privileges of Parliament
Art 108 — Joint Sitting
Art 109 — Money Bills procedure
Art 110 — Definition of Money Bill
Art 111 — Presidential assent
Art 249 — RS: State List legislation
Art 312 — RS: new All India Services

3 Joint Sitting Bills ever: Dowry Prohibition 1961, Banking Service Commission (Repeal) 1978, POTA 2002. Speaker presides. NOT for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendments.

	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Strength	543	245
Min age	25 yrs	30 yrs
Term	5 years	Permanent
Chair	Speaker	VP (Chairman)
Quorum	55	25
Nominated	None	12 by President

Bill	Intro	Deadlock
Ordinary	Either	Joint Sitting
Money	LS only	LS prevails
Const. Amendment	Either	No joint sitting

Parliament — Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Sessions & Legislation

On this page

Conceptual Clarity — Parliament in India's Constitutional Design

1. Lok Sabha — House of the People

1.1 Constitutional Provisions

1.2 Qualification to Become a Member (Art 84)

1.3 Disqualification (Arts 101–103, 10th Schedule)

1.4 The Speaker of Lok Sabha

2. Rajya Sabha — Council of States

2.1 Constitutional Provisions

2.2 Nomination by President (12 Members)

2.3 Allocation of Seats to States

2.4 Qualification (Art 84)

2.5 Chairman of Rajya Sabha

2.6 Special Powers of Rajya Sabha

Art 249 — State List Legislation

Art 312 — All India Services

3. Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha — Comparison

4. Parliamentary Sessions, Prorogation & Dissolution

4.1 Sessions

4.2 Summoning, Prorogation and Dissolution

4.3 Quorum

4.4 Lame-Duck Session

5. Types of Bills

5.1 Ordinary Bill

5.2 Money Bill (Art 110)

5.3 Finance Bill

5.4 Constitution Amendment Bill (Art 368)

5.5 Private Member Bill

6. Legislative Process — Stages of an Ordinary Bill

6.1 Five Readings

6.2 Presidential Assent (Art 111)

7. Joint Sitting of Parliament (Art 108)

7.1 When is Joint Sitting Called?

7.2 Joint Sittings in History (Only 3 Times)

7.3 Bills NOT Subject to Joint Sitting

8. Parliamentary Committees

8.1 Standing Committees (Permanent, constituted every year)

Financial Committees

Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

8.2 Ad Hoc Committees (Temporary — for specific purpose)

8.3 Other Important Committees

9. Parliamentary Privileges (Arts 105 & 194)

9.1 Individual Privileges

9.2 Collective Privileges

9.3 Breach of Privilege and Contempt

10. Current Affairs Link

One Nation One Election

Vice-President & Rajya Sabha Chairmanship

Speaker's Role in Anti-Defection

11. Prelims PYQs

12. Mains PYQs

13. 15-Minute Revision Box

Must-Remember Numbers