The Parliament of India (or Sansad Bhawan) is the supreme bicameral legislative body of the federal government of the Republic of India. It consists of the office of President of India and two Chambers, the House of People, known as the Lok Sabha and the Council of States, known as the Rajya Sabha. The Members of either house are commonly referred to as Member of Parliament or MP. The MPs of Lok Sabha are elected by direct election and the MPs of Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with proportional voting.
Of the 545 members of the House of People, 530 members represent the territorial Constituencies in the States and the remaining represent the Union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide. These members serve a five-year term until the next General Election are held. House seats are apportioned among the states by population in such a manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.
The 250 Members of the Council of States serve a staggered six-year term. 12 of these members are nominated by the President and shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely literature, science, art and social service. The 238 members are representatives of the States shall be elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Council is elected at a time.
Part V of the Constitution vests all legislative power in the Parliament that consists of the President of Republic of India and both the Chambers. The House and the Council are equal partners in the legislative process (legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers); however, the Constitution grants the House of Commons some unique powers. Revenue-raising or “Money” bills must originate in the House of Commons. The Council of States can only make recommendations suggestions over these bills to the House, within a period of fourteen days - lapse of which the bill is assumed to have been passed by both the Chambers. But it is only up to the House to either approve these amendments or may reject it.
Any bill can become an act only after it is passed by both the houses of the Parliament and assented by the President. The Central Hall of the Parliament is used for combined sittings of the lower and upper houses and is of historical significance.
The Parliament meets in the Sansad Bhawan on Sansad Marg in New Delhi.
Of the 545 members of the House of People, 530 members represent the territorial Constituencies in the States and the remaining represent the Union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide. These members serve a five-year term until the next General Election are held. House seats are apportioned among the states by population in such a manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.
The 250 Members of the Council of States serve a staggered six-year term. 12 of these members are nominated by the President and shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely literature, science, art and social service. The 238 members are representatives of the States shall be elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Council is elected at a time.
Part V of the Constitution vests all legislative power in the Parliament that consists of the President of Republic of India and both the Chambers. The House and the Council are equal partners in the legislative process (legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers); however, the Constitution grants the House of Commons some unique powers. Revenue-raising or “Money” bills must originate in the House of Commons. The Council of States can only make recommendations suggestions over these bills to the House, within a period of fourteen days - lapse of which the bill is assumed to have been passed by both the Chambers. But it is only up to the House to either approve these amendments or may reject it.
Any bill can become an act only after it is passed by both the houses of the Parliament and assented by the President. The Central Hall of the Parliament is used for combined sittings of the lower and upper houses and is of historical significance.
The Parliament meets in the Sansad Bhawan on Sansad Marg in New Delhi.
