Parliament

Indian Polity · 7 min read · Sunitha Rao

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, bills and the budget process.

Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is directly elected for five years; the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house with one third of its members retiring every two years.

A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and only on the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha may keep it for a maximum of fourteen days and can only recommend changes.

The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha and decides whether a bill is a money bill. The Vice-President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Important points

  • Money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
  • Rajya Sabha can delay a money bill by at most 14 days.
  • The Vice-President chairs the Rajya Sabha.
  • A joint sitting is convened by the President for ordinary bills.
  • Question Hour and Zero Hour are parliamentary devices for oversight.

Examples

  1. The Speaker's decision on whether a bill is a money bill is final.

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