The legislature makes the laws. The citizens of India indirectly decide the laws. If they are facing any major problems, the government would help them by creating a law about it. It is made up of the Parliament which is bicameral. This means that it has two houses - the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha
It is the lower house of the Parliament and can have only 552 members. 530 members can be elected by the citizens of India. 20 members are elected from union territories. The President nominates two members from the Anglo-Indian community. The members can be part of the Lok Sabha for 5 years. But the President can dissolve it at any time. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha supervises the work and maintains the discipline. One can think of the Speaker as a teacher.
Qualifications
Members have to be a citizen of India, at least 25 years old and should be a registered voter.
The Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha is called the Council of States and can have only 250 members. 238 members come from states and union territories. Seats are given according to the population of the state. For example, if Maharashtra has 10 people and Gujarat has 5, more seats would be given to the people representing Maharashtra. 12 members are nominated by the President. These members have excelled in their jobs (art, literature, social service etc). The Vice President is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. He/She conducts the meetings of the Rajya Sabha. The President cannot dissolve the Rajya Sabha. Each member can be part of the Rajya Sabha for 6 years. Every 2 years, one third of the members retire and new members replace them.
Qualifications
Members have to be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old and should be a registered voter.
From A Bill To A Law
For a bill to become a law, the Lok Sabha would have to have a discussion and consider the bill clause by clause. They might edit it. After voting, if the majority says they want to pass it, it will go to the Rajya Sabha. If the majority says no, the bill would not proceed. The Rajya Sabha would do the same thing. They would have a discussion and consider the bill clause by clause. After voting, if the majority votes yes, the President would have to sign it and then the bill would become a law.
The Lok Sabha
It is the lower house of the Parliament and can have only 552 members. 530 members can be elected by the citizens of India. 20 members are elected from union territories. The President nominates two members from the Anglo-Indian community. The members can be part of the Lok Sabha for 5 years. But the President can dissolve it at any time. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha supervises the work and maintains the discipline. One can think of the Speaker as a teacher.
Qualifications
Members have to be a citizen of India, at least 25 years old and should be a registered voter.
The Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha is called the Council of States and can have only 250 members. 238 members come from states and union territories. Seats are given according to the population of the state. For example, if Maharashtra has 10 people and Gujarat has 5, more seats would be given to the people representing Maharashtra. 12 members are nominated by the President. These members have excelled in their jobs (art, literature, social service etc). The Vice President is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. He/She conducts the meetings of the Rajya Sabha. The President cannot dissolve the Rajya Sabha. Each member can be part of the Rajya Sabha for 6 years. Every 2 years, one third of the members retire and new members replace them.
Qualifications
Members have to be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old and should be a registered voter.
From A Bill To A Law
For a bill to become a law, the Lok Sabha would have to have a discussion and consider the bill clause by clause. They might edit it. After voting, if the majority says they want to pass it, it will go to the Rajya Sabha. If the majority says no, the bill would not proceed. The Rajya Sabha would do the same thing. They would have a discussion and consider the bill clause by clause. After voting, if the majority votes yes, the President would have to sign it and then the bill would become a law.
Functions
Law Making
The Parliament can make new laws or modify existing ones.
No money can be raised or spent without the Lok Sabha’s approval.
Only the Parliament can make bills to amend the Constitution.
Budget
The budget is an estimate of the annual income and expenditure of the government of India. The Parliament passes a budget which is presented in the Lok Sabha. The Parliament can cut the budget or reject it.
Sessions
The Parliament meets at least twice a year. The sessions can only take place if 10% of the members are present. This is called a quorum.
Law Making
The Parliament can make new laws or modify existing ones.
No money can be raised or spent without the Lok Sabha’s approval.
Only the Parliament can make bills to amend the Constitution.
Budget
The budget is an estimate of the annual income and expenditure of the government of India. The Parliament passes a budget which is presented in the Lok Sabha. The Parliament can cut the budget or reject it.
Sessions
The Parliament meets at least twice a year. The sessions can only take place if 10% of the members are present. This is called a quorum.