Parliament of India facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament of IndiaBhāratīya Saṁsad |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) Lok Sabha (House of the People) |
| History | |
| Founded | 26 January 1950 |
| Preceded by | Constituent Assembly of India |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 788 245 Members of Rajya Sabha 543 Members of Lok Sabha |
 By party By alliance |
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Rajya Sabha political groups
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 By party By alliance |
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Lok Sabha political groups
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| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
| First-past-the-post | |
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Rajya Sabha last election
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2025 |
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Lok Sabha last election
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19 April – 1 June 2024 |
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Rajya Sabha next election
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2026 |
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Lok Sabha next election
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By May 2029 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Sansad Bhavan 118, Rafi Marg, New Delhi Delhi, India – 110001 |
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| Constitution | |
| Constitution of India | |
The Parliament of India is the most important law-making body for the Republic of India. It is like a big team with two main parts: the Rajya Sabha (which means Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (which means House of the People). The President of India is the head of this law-making team. The President can call meetings or end them, but they always do this with advice from the Prime Minister and other government leaders.
People who are chosen to be part of the Parliament are called Members of Parliament (MPs). Citizens of India directly vote for MPs in the Lok Sabha. For the Rajya Sabha, MPs are chosen by elected members from different states. The Parliament has a total of 543 members in the Lok Sabha and 245 in the Rajya Sabha. This includes 12 members chosen by the President for their special skills in areas like art or science. The Parliament meets in a special building called Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi. India's Parliament represents a huge number of voters, making it one of the largest democracies in the world. A new Parliament building was opened on May 28, 2023.
Contents
India's Parliament: A Look Back
How India's Lawmaking Began
Before India became independent, the British ruled the country. During that time, the main law-making group was called the Imperial Legislative Council. It was created in 1861 and stopped working in 1947 when India gained its freedom.
Creating India's Constitution
After independence, a special group called the Constituent Assembly of India was formed. Their big job was to write the Constitution of India, which is the rulebook for the country. Once the Constitution was ready in 1950, the Constituent Assembly finished its work.
The Parliament We Know Today
The Parliament of India then took over from the Constituent Assembly. This is the same Parliament that works hard to make laws for India even today.
The Parliament Buildings
The Old Parliament House: Samvidhan Sadan
The Old Parliament House is in New Delhi. Famous architects, Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, designed it. It was built to be the home for India's legislative bodies during British rule. The building took six years to build and was opened in 1927.
This building is very important in India's history. The Indian Constitution was written and agreed upon in its Central Hall. This hall was first used as a library but was later changed to be the meeting place for the Constituent Assembly.
The New Parliament House: Sansad Bhavan
A brand new Parliament building, called the Sansad Bhavan, opened on May 28, 2023. The old building, which was over 85 years old, was becoming too small for all the members and their staff. It also had some structural concerns.
The new building is much bigger and has a unique triangular shape. It has larger halls for both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha hall is inspired by India's national bird, the peacock. The Rajya Sabha hall has a lotus theme, reflecting India's national flower. There is also a special Constitutional Hall. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the construction of this new building in December 2020. The first meeting in the new Parliament building happened on September 19, 2023.
Who Makes Up the Parliament?
The Indian Parliament has two main houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The President of India is the head of both.
The President of India
The President is the country's head of state. They are a key part of the Parliament. The President makes sure that all laws passed by Parliament follow the rules of the Constitution of India. They also ensure that the correct steps are followed before a new law is approved. The President is chosen by elected members of Parliament and state assemblies for a five-year term.
The Lok Sabha: House of the People
The Lok Sabha is also known as the House of the People or the lower house. It has 543 members. These members are chosen directly by Indian citizens through voting. Anyone over 18 years old can vote for Lok Sabha members.
To become a member of the Lok Sabha, a person must be an Indian citizen and at least 25 years old. They must also meet other requirements, like not holding certain government jobs or being financially stable. The Lok Sabha usually serves for five years. Some seats in the Lok Sabha are set aside for specific groups like Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes to ensure they are represented.
The Rajya Sabha: Council of States
The Rajya Sabha is also called the Council of States or the Upper House. It is a permanent body, meaning it doesn't get dissolved like the Lok Sabha. Every two years, about one-third of its members retire, and new ones are elected. Each member serves for six years.
Members of the Rajya Sabha are chosen by elected members of the state legislative assemblies. The Rajya Sabha can have up to 250 members. Currently, it has 245 members. Out of these, 233 are elected from different states and union territories. The President nominates 12 members who are experts in fields like literature, art, science, and social service. To become a Rajya Sabha member, a person must be at least 30 years old. There are no special reservations for specific groups in the Rajya Sabha.
What Powers Does Parliament Have?
India's Parliament has many important powers that help it run the country democratically.
- Making Laws
- Creating New Laws: Parliament can make laws on many topics listed in the Constitution. A proposed law, called a "bill," can start in either house. Once both houses approve it and the President agrees, it becomes a law.
- Changing the Constitution: Parliament can also change the Constitution. This requires a special majority vote. This allows the country's rules to adapt as society changes.
- Handling New Issues: If a topic isn't covered by other lists in the Constitution, Parliament has the power to make laws about it.
- Managing Money
- Approving the Budget: Parliament is very important in creating and approving the country's annual budget. This budget shows how the government plans to collect and spend money. Parliament reviews these plans and can suggest changes.
- Collecting Taxes: Parliament has the power to decide on and collect taxes, like income tax and goods and services tax (GST).
- Watching Spending: Parliament carefully checks how the government spends money. This ensures that money is used wisely and transparently.
- Overseeing the Government
- Working with Ministers: Parliament keeps an eye on the Council of Ministers (the government). The government is responsible to Parliament, and its actions are reviewed by the MPs.
- Vote of No Confidence: If the government loses the support of most members in the Lok Sabha, Parliament can remove it through a "vote of no confidence."
- Asking Questions: MPs can ask questions and discuss government actions and policies.
- Checking and Reviewing
- Question Hour: During "Question Hour," MPs can ask ministers questions about public matters. This helps get clear answers from the government.
- Committees: Parliament sets up various committees. These groups study government policies and programs in detail. They help ensure everything is working as it should.
- Reviewing High Officials: Parliament can investigate if top officials like the President or judges have broken important rules of the country's Constitution.
Parliament's Meeting Times
The time when Parliament meets to do its work is called a session. The Constitution says that there should not be more than a six-month break between two sessions. This means Parliament must meet at least twice a year. In India, Parliament usually has three main sessions each year.
- Budget Session: This is often the most important session. It usually starts in February and ends in May. The main goal is to discuss and approve the country's annual budget. MPs carefully look at how the government plans to spend money and can suggest changes.
- Monsoon Session: This session usually happens between July and August, during the monsoon season. Its main focus is on making new laws. MPs introduce bills, debate them, and decide if they should become laws. They also discuss important national issues.
- Winter Session: Held between November and December, this is the last session of the year. It's a time to review the government's work and policies. MPs discuss new bills and check how well the government is performing. This session helps keep the government accountable.
- Special Sessions: Sometimes, Parliament holds special sessions for urgent matters or emergencies. These meetings are outside the regular schedule and focus on specific important issues. They help Parliament make quick decisions when needed.
How Laws Are Made
Making Laws for the Country
New law ideas are brought to Parliament as a "bill." A bill is like a draft of a new law. Once both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha approve it, and the President gives their final agreement, it becomes an official "Act of Parliament" (a law).
Bills about money, called "Money Bills," must start in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes to these bills within 14 days.
Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary committees are small groups formed to study specific topics in detail. They gather information and conduct studies to help Parliament make good decisions. There are two main types of committees:
- Standing Committees: These are permanent committees that work continuously. They are set up according to Parliament's rules or specific laws.
- Ad Hoc Committees: These committees are created for a special purpose. Once they finish their task and submit a report, they stop existing.
Special Rights for MPs
Members of Parliament have certain special rights, called parliamentary privileges. These rights help them do their jobs well and speak freely.
- Freedom to Speak: MPs can express their opinions and ideas in Parliament without fear of legal trouble for what they say there. This helps them debate openly and make good decisions.
- Protection from Legal Action: MPs are protected from lawsuits for things they say or do inside Parliament or its committees. This allows them to discuss issues freely without worrying about being sued.
- Access to Information: MPs have the right to get information from government officials and departments. This helps them understand policies and hold the government accountable.
- Control Over Parliament's Work: Parliament can manage its own meetings and rules. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha use these rights to keep order and ensure fair debates.
- Protection from Arrest: During Parliament sessions, MPs are protected from arrest in civil cases. This ensures they can attend meetings and do their duties without interruption.
Rules for MPs: Code of Conduct
To ensure fairness and good behavior, Indian Parliament has rules for its members.
- Being Open and Honest:
- MPs should share information about their money, investments, and income. This helps prevent conflicts of interest.
- Records of Parliament's meetings, debates, and votes are made public. This allows everyone to see what is happening.
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest:
- MPs should avoid situations where their personal interests might affect their decisions in Parliament. If there's a conflict, they should not take part in that discussion or decision.
- Speaking Respectfully:
- MPs should debate respectfully, focusing on the issues. They should avoid personal attacks or rude language. This helps create a good environment for making decisions.
- Attending and Participating:
- MPs should attend sessions regularly and actively participate in debates and committee work.
- Using Privileges Responsibly:
- MPs must use their special parliamentary rights responsibly. These rights do not mean they are above the law outside Parliament. Misusing these rights is not allowed.
- Being Accountable:
- MPs are responsible to the people they represent. They should talk to their voters, listen to their concerns, and help solve problems.
- No Corruption:
- MPs must follow strict rules against corruption. They must declare their assets and follow anti-corruption laws. Any proven dishonest behavior will lead to serious action.
In 2022, a booklet was released listing words and phrases that are not allowed in Parliament debates. If these "unparliamentary words" are used, they are removed from the official records.
Important Events
2001 Parliament Security Incident
On December 13, 2001, there was a serious security incident at the Indian Parliament building. Security forces bravely protected the Parliament and its members during this event. This incident led to increased security measures and discussions about national safety.
2023 Parliament Security Concern
On December 13, 2023, an incident occurred where some individuals entered the new Parliament building without permission. They did this to express their views. This event raised concerns about security and led to a review of how the Parliament building is protected. Members of Parliament discussed the incident and emphasized the need for strong security.
Gallery
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Jawaharlal Nehru and other members taking pledge during the midnight session of the Constituent Assembly of India held on 14 and 15 August 1947.
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Constituent Assembly of India
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Jawaharlal Nehru addressing the Constituent Assembly in 1946.
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Indian prime minister Morarji Desai listens to Jimmy Carter as he addresses the Indian Parliament.
See also
In Spanish: Parlamento de la India para niños
- Election Commission of India
- Indian Parliamentary Group
- List of constituencies of the Lok Sabha
- List of legislatures by country
- Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
- Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
- PRS Legislative Research
- Politics of India
