Chapter 6 — The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

'Bi' means two and 'cameral' means chamber or house. India's Parliament has two houses — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. A bicameral system was chosen in the spirit of federalism so that states could have a dedicated council (Rajya Sabha) alongside the directly elected lower house.

In the Lok Sabha, members elect a Speaker who conducts sessions, maintains discipline, and ensures rules are followed. The Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice President of India, who acts as its chairperson.

The Constitution envisages a maximum of 550 members in the Lok Sabha.

The Legislature (Parliament) makes laws and oversees the work of the Executive. The Executive (President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister) enforces the laws made by the Legislature. Most bills are introduced by the Executive, while Parliament keeps a check on its actions through mechanisms like the Question Hour.

Question Hour is typically the first hour of a Parliamentary session. During this time, MPs can ask ministers questions about government policies and activities, holding the Executive accountable for its decisions and actions.

A bill is introduced in either house of Parliament, read and referred to a Standing Committee (in most cases), discussed clause-by-clause with amendments voted upon, passed in the house where it was introduced, then the entire process is repeated in the other house. After both houses pass it, the President gives assent and it is published in the Gazette, becoming an Act.

A Money Bill deals with financial matters such as taxation and government borrowing. It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and requires the prior recommendation of the President before introduction.

The Sengol is a gold-plated silver sceptre that was handed to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, on 14 August 1947 as a symbol of the transfer of power. Dating back to the Chola period, it reminds rulers that power must be guided by dharma and righteousness, with Nandi (symbolising justice) at its top. It is now placed near the Speaker's chair in the new Lok Sabha.

The RTE Act, 2009, provides free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. It is rooted in Article 21A of the Constitution, which was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. The bill was first tabled in the Rajya Sabha, then passed in the Lok Sabha in August 2009 after the President gave assent.

The Union List contains subjects on which only the Union (central) government can make laws. The State List contains subjects reserved for state governments. The Concurrent List has subjects on which both the Union and state governments can legislate, but if the Union government makes a law on a Concurrent List subject, states must follow it. For example, education is on the Concurrent List, so the RTE Act applies across all states.

Universal adult franchise is the right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution that allows all adult citizens to vote, regardless of their social or economic background, gender, race, or religion.

The six states with a bicameral legislature (both a Vidhan Sabha and a Vidhan Parishad) are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. All remaining states have a unicameral legislature with only a Vidhan Sabha.

Parliament typically meets three times a year: the Budget Session, the Monsoon Session, and the Winter Session. Each session has sittings where Parliament meets to deliberate on proposed laws and discuss governance matters. Parliament usually sits for 6 hours a day during sessions.

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