Composition-Lok sabh and Rajya Sabha for CLAT - Practice Questions & MCQ

1. Lok Sabha (House of the People):

• Composition: The Lok Sabha is the lower house of Parliament. It consists of a maximum of 545 members. Out of these, 543 members are directly elected by the people of India, representing various constituencies across the country. Two additional members are nominated by the President to represent the Anglo-Indian community if it is felt that this community is not adequately represented in the house.
• Members: The Lok Sabha is composed of a maximum of 545 members. Out of these, 543 members are directly elected by the people of India. Two additional members are nominated by the President of India to represent the Anglo-Indian community if it is felt that this community is not adequately represented in the house.
• Term: Members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a term of five years, unless the house is dissolved earlier. This fixed term ensures stability in the legislative process.
• Representation: The number of seats in the Lok Sabha is allocated to each state and union territory based on their population. This is done to ensure that states with larger populations have more representation, reflecting the democratic principle of "one person, one vote."
• Example: Uttar Pradesh, with its large population, has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats (80), while smaller states like Goa have fewer seats (2).
• Speaker: The Lok Sabha elects its Speaker, who is responsible for maintaining order during debates, deciding who may speak, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the house. The Speaker is a neutral figure and does not cast a vote except in case of a tie.
• Importance: The Lok Sabha is the primary legislative body in India and holds significant powers, including the power to introduce and pass bills, approve the budget, and question the government. It directly represents the will of the people, making it a cornerstone of India's democratic process.

2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States):

• Composition: The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of Parliament. It consists of a maximum of 250 members. Unlike the Lok Sabha, members of the Rajya Sabha are not directly elected by the people. Instead, they are chosen by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies. Additionally, 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in various fields.
• Members: The Rajya Sabha is composed of a maximum of 250 members. Unlike the Lok Sabha, these members are not directly elected by the people but are chosen by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies. Additionally, 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in various fields.
• Term: Members of the Rajya Sabha serve six-year terms, with one-third of the members retiring and being replaced every two years. This rotational system ensures continuity in the house.
• Representation: The Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories of India. Each state and union territory has a fixed number of representatives, regardless of its population. This ensures that smaller states have a voice in national policymaking.
• Example: Goa and Uttar Pradesh each have equal representation with three members in the Rajya Sabha, despite the vast difference in their populations.
• Vice President: The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In their absence, a Deputy Chairman is elected to preside over its proceedings.
• Importance: The Rajya Sabha plays a vital role in providing a forum for protecting the interests of smaller states, bringing diverse perspectives to national policymaking, and revising or reviewing legislation. It acts as a stabilizing force in the Indian parliamentary system.

Some key differences and similarities between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 

Differences  between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha :

1. Composition:

• Lok Sabha: Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people of India. It has a maximum of 545 members, including 543 elected members and up to 2 nominated Anglo-Indian members.
• Rajya Sabha: Members of the Rajya Sabha are not directly elected by the people. They are chosen by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies. It can have a maximum of 250 members, including 12 nominated members with expertise in various fields.

2. Method of Election:

• Lok Sabha: Members of the Lok Sabha are elected through direct, universal adult suffrage in their respective constituencies during general elections.
• Rajya Sabha: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected representatives of State Legislative Assemblies.

3. Term of Office:

• Lok Sabha: Members of the Lok Sabha serve a term of five years, unless the house is dissolved earlier.
• Rajya Sabha: Members of the Rajya Sabha serve six-year terms, with one-third of the members retiring and being replaced every two years. This rotational system ensures continuity in the house.

4. Representation:

• Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha represents the people of India, and the number of seats is allocated to each state and union territory based on their population. This ensures that states with larger populations have more representation.
• Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories of India. Each state and union territory has a fixed number of representatives, regardless of its population. This ensures that smaller states have a voice in national policymaking.

5. Primary Function:

• Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha is the primary legislative body responsible for making and amending laws, approving the budget, and representing the will of the people.
• Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha plays a complementary role in reviewing and revising legislation, representing the interests of states, and providing a forum for expert discussions.

Similarities between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha:

1. Part of Parliament:

• Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are integral parts of the Indian Parliament, and their decisions collectively shape the legislative process in the country.

2. Role in Lawmaking:

• While the Lok Sabha is the primary house for initiating money bills and most other legislation, both houses must approve a bill for it to become law. The Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments and review bills.

3. Budget Approval:

• Both houses have a role in approving the Union Budget. The budget is presented in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha reviews and suggests changes.

4. Oversight and Accountability:

• Both houses have the power to question the government, demand answers from ministers, and hold debates on important issues, contributing to government accountability.

5. Representation in Committees:

• Members from both houses participate in various parliamentary committees that oversee different aspects of governance, including finance, defense, and public accounts.