India's Parliamentary System
People directly elect representatives → representatives form the government → government is answerable to Parliament → Parliament is answerable to the people. Power flows FROM the people!
⬆️ Features of India's new Parliament building (Sansad Bhavan) — three-sided design reflecting balance, inclusivity & purpose
- Inspired by Britain's parliamentary democracy
- Freedom fighters had practical experience with British colonial governance structures
- Ancient republics (mahājanapadas) & village panchayats — collective decision-making traditions
- 18 Lok Sabhas since 1952. 18th Lok Sabha constituted: June 2024
Composition of Parliament
India's Parliament = President + Two Houses. 'Bicameral' = bi (two) + cameral (chamber). Two houses ensure better laws & represent both people and states.
- House of the People
- Max 550 members (currently 543)
- Directly elected by citizens
- Term: 5 years
- Presided by: Speaker (elected by MPs)
- More powerful — government answerable to it
- Council of States
- Max 250 members
- Indirectly elected by state MLAs
- Permanent — 1/3 retires every 2 years
- Presided by: Vice President of India
- Represents states' interests
⬆️ Lok Sabha Chamber in new Parliament building (left) • Rajya Sabha Chamber (right)
Simultaneous interpretation in 18 languages! Originally 12 (Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu). Recently added: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, Sanskrit. More to be added — truly inclusive!
Functions of Parliament
- Elect President & Vice President
- Amend the Constitution
- Uphold fundamental rights
- Ensure federalism
- Introduce Bills (draft laws)
- Debate, amend, pass bills
- Both houses must approve
- President's assent → becomes law
- Approve national Budget
- Control government spending
- Pass Money Bills
- Review government accounts
- Question Hour — MPs question ministers about policies and actions
- Zero Hour — urgent matters raised without prior notice
- Debate & Discussion — government policy examined openly
- No-Confidence Motion — if passed, government must resign!
The Union Executive
Constitutional head; guardian of Constitution
THE VICE PRESIDENT
Chairperson of Rajya Sabha
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (led by PM)
Real executive power; collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
Making laws for the country
Implementing & enforcing those laws
The President of India
- Constitutional Head of State — not directly elected by people
- Elected by an Electoral College = elected MPs + elected MLAs
- 5-year term
- Guardian of the Constitution
- Appoints the Prime Minister (leader of majority party)
- Gives assent to bills → they become laws
- Supreme Commander of Armed Forces
⬆️ The Constitution of India — foundation of all governance
Prime Minister & Council of Ministers
- PM = leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha
- Heads the Council of Ministers — the Cabinet
- Ministers chosen from MPs of both houses
- Collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
- PM advises President on all major decisions
- If Lok Sabha passes No-Confidence Motion → entire government resigns!
Senior ministers heading major departments (Finance, Defence, Home, etc.).
Junior ministers — assist Cabinet Ministers or independently head smaller departments.
All ministers collectively defend government decisions in Parliament — "cabinet solidarity".
State Level Government
India practices federalism — power shared between Centre, States & Local governments. Keeps balance between national unity & local interests.
| Union Level | State Level |
|---|---|
| President (Head of State) | Governor (Head of State) |
| Prime Minister (Head of Govt) | Chief Minister (Head of Govt) |
| Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha) | Vidhan Sabha (+ Vidhan Parishad in some states) |
| Council of Ministers | State Council of Ministers |
| Elected for 5 years | Elected for 5 years |
Quick Summary
- Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha (bicameral)
- Lok Sabha: 543 members, directly elected, Speaker presides, 5-year term, more powerful
- Rajya Sabha: 250 members, indirectly elected by MLAs, VP presides, permanent house
- Functions: Constitutional, Law-making, Financial, Executive Accountability
- Union Executive: President + Vice President + PM + Council of Ministers
- Federalism: Power shared Centre ↔ States ↔ Local bodies
- The Sengol near Speaker's chair = symbol of dharmic & just governance