System of the

Government
System of the Government

The constitution creates a framework for government that enables stability,

inclusiveness, and cooperation among branches of power.
The system of government refers to the governance arrangements that allocate
powers between the executive and legislative branch of the government.
Historically, three main systems of government have emerged: the Parliamentary
system, the Presidential system, and the Semi-presidential system.
Parliamentary system of government

Choosing a system of government means deciding which patterns of political decision-

making better serve citizens' expectations.

Our Constitution makers chose the parliamentary system of government primarily

because they preferred government responsibility over stability.
Features of parliamentary system of government

Collective The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament and

responsibility can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence in the
Lok Sabha.
The head of state is a symbolic representative, while the head
Two executive of government is the real executive. In India, the President is
heads the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of
government.

The political party that secures the majority seats in the Lok
Majority party rule Sabha forms the government, with the leader of the party
appointed as the Prime Minister.

Leadership of the
Prime Minister The Prime Minister holds the real power in the Parliamentary
system.
Features of parliamentary system of government

Political
homogeneity The council of ministers usually belongs to the same political
party, sharing the same ideology.

Ministers are members of both the legislature and the

Double membership executive, and cannot be a minister without being a member of
Parliament.

Fusion of executive
and legislature There is no clear-cut separation between the executive and
legislative organs of the State.

Secrecy of Ministers operate on the principle of secrecy and cannot divulge

procedure information about their proceedings, policies, and decisions.
They take the oath of secrecy before entering their office.
Merits of the Parliamentary system

Executive and legislature work together, reducing disputes and

Cooperation conflicts.

Responsible Government is accountable to the legislature, ensuring control

government and oversight.

Members of executive are also members of legislature, leading

Administrative ease to effective policymaking and easy passage of proposals.

Ready alternative Head of the State can invite opposition to form government,
government ensuring a ready alternative.

Broad Council of ministers are drawn from all sections and regions of
representation the country, ensuring inclusive decision making.
Demerits of the Parliamentary system

Unstable No-confidence motion, political defections or multiparty

government coalition can make the government unstable.

No continuity in Parliamentary system is not conducive for developing long term

policies policies due to the uncertain tenure of government.

Dictatorship of Ruling party with absolute majority in Parliament can make the
cabinet cabinet autocratic and exercise nearly unlimited power.

Against separation Executive is part of the legislature, going against the theory of
of powers separation of powers.

Government by Ministers lack expertise in their respective fields, leading to

amateurs administrative inefficiency.
Presidential system of government

Single Executive: President serves as head of state and government.

Removal of Executive: President has fixed tenure and can only be removed through a
complex impeachment process.
Stability: Executive enjoys security of tenure which brings stability to the government
and its policies.
Not responsible to Legislature: President and secretaries are not responsible to the
legislative organ of the state.
No dissolution of lower house: President cannot dissolve the house of legislature.

Political Heterogeneity: President works with a team of non-elected officials from

different backgrounds.
Strict separation of power: There is a strict separation of powers between legislative,
executive, and judiciary, with no double membership.
Semi-Presidential system of government

Dual Executive: The system has both a popularly elected President and a Prime
Minister who is accountable to the legislature.
Complementary roles: The President upholds popular legitimacy and represents
continuity, while the Prime Minister exercises policy leadership and is responsible for
day-to-day functioning.
Power sharing: The executive powers are shared between the President and Prime
Minister.
Combines elements of Presidential and Parliamentary systems.
Varies in the exercise of political power and authority between the two leaders.

Examples of countries with Semi-Presidential systems are France, South Korea,

Portugal, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, etc.
Comparison between the Indian and the British
parliamentary system
Parameters Indian Parliament British Parliament
Republican, head of state Monarchical, hereditary head
Type
elected of state
Parliamentary Not present, restricted
Present, no limitations
sovereignty powers
Prime Minister Any house member Lower house member
Non-house members allowed
Ministers Only MPs
for 6 months
Legal responsibility
Not present Present
of minister
Shadow cabinet No Yes
Lok Sabha (lower), Rajya House of Commons (lower),
Name
Sabha (upper) House of Lords (upper)
Background

The Indian civilisation had bodies performing deliberative functions since the Vedic
period.
The British government passed acts during the colonial period that contributed to the
development of modern parliamentary institutions in India.
The constituent assembly adopted a parliamentary form of government based on the
British system.
The Constitution (Part-V, Article 79 to Article 122) deals with provisions related to
parliament.
The Parliament is one of the three pillars of democracy.
The parliament is the highest law-making body in India.
Why do we need the Parliament?

Parliament represents citizens' voice in law-making for public welfare.

National issues get discussed in detail before becoming laws.
Parliament ensures government accountability and proper use of public money.
Parliament helps build national leadership and deepens democratic spirit.
Composition of the Parliament

The President The Rajya Sabha The Lok Sabha

Bicameralism
Bicameralism is a type of legislature with two separate houses.

The Indian Parliament is bicameral with the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Bicameralism is adopted in countries with large geographical area and high

population.
Countries with a federal system of government usually have bicameral legislature.

Britain - House of Lords and

House of Commons
USA - Senate and House of
Representatives
Examples
Germany - Bundesrat and
Bundestag
Canada - Senate and House of
Commons
President - (Integral part of the Parliament)

The President is ‘not’ a member of either House of Parliament and he/she does not
attend its meetings.

Assent to the Bills: He is considered ‘Integral part of the

Why is the Parliament’ because a bill passed by both houses of Parliament
president an ‘cannot’ become a law without the President's assent.
integral part of
the Other Functions: Summons and prorogues sessions of Parliament,
Parliament? pass ordinances during recess of the parliament, addresses both
houses of Parliament etc.
Rajya Sabha

Composition
• Maximum strength:
• Article 80 prescribes maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha.
• It is fixed at 250.
• Representatives of states and Union Territories - 238 and Nominated members -
12
• Present Situation:
• Total members - 245
• Division - 1) 225 members –Representatives of states 2) 8 members -
Representatives of UTs 3) 12 – Nominated Members.
Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha has nominated members with special knowledge or

practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service.

Nominated The US Congress upper house has no nominated members.

Members

The UK House of Lords mostly consists of nominated members.

Rajya Sabha

Candidates contesting Rajya Sabha election must have minimum

age of 30 years and be a citizen of India.
Candidates must have their name registered in the electoral roll of
any parliamentary constituency in India.
Candidates need not be a resident of the state they are contesting
Qualifications
from.
Additional qualifications are prescribed by parliament by passing a
law.
The Representation of People's Act, 1951 specifies additional
qualifications.
Rajya Sabha
Disqualifications
• Article 102 of the Constitution mentions grounds for disqualification of a member
of parliament, including holding an Office of Profit, unsound mind, undischarged
insolvent, and allegiance to a foreign country.
• The President, in consultation with the Election Commission, has the authority to
decide on disqualification based on these grounds.
• The decision of the President is final, and the opinion of the ECI is binding.
• The Representation of People’s Act, 1951 also lists additional grounds for
disqualification, such as corrupt practices and conviction by courts.
• Important notes:
• A nominated member can be disqualified for joining a political party after six
months from taking a seat in the house.
• A member can be disqualified for voluntarily giving up membership of their
party.
• An independent member can be disqualified for joining a political party after
their election.
Election of members of the Rajya Sabha

Representation of States
• Mode of Election: Representatives of State are ‘Indirectly’ elected.
• Election System: ‘Proportional representation’ by ‘single transferable vote’.
• Electoral College: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by MLAs of the states.
• Allocation of Seats in Rajya Sabha: States are allocated seats in the Rajya Sabha
based on their respective population figures in the 1971 census.
• Unequal representation: Variability exists in the representation of states in Rajya
Sabha. Ex- Uttar Pradesh has 31 members in the Rajya Sabha while Tripura has 1
member only.
• Comparison with US Constitution - In USA all states are given equal
representation in the senate (Upper House in US Congress) irrespective of their
population.
What is Proportional representation ?

Proportional representation is a system where parties are allotted seats in proportion

to their share of votes.

In India, single transferable vote is used for the President, Vice-President, Rajya Sabha
members, and Legislative council members.

In Rajya Sabha elections, each state's MLAs cast their votes to elect members of Rajya
Sabha.

The required quota of votes to win is calculated as

[(Total votes polled) ÷ (Total number of candidates to be elected + 1) + 1]
Representation of UTs in Rajya Sabha

Members from Union Territories (UTs) are indirectly elected by an electoral college.

Election system is proportional representation by a single transferable vote.

Only three UTs with legislature (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir) have
representation in the Rajya Sabha.
Other UTs do not have representation in the Rajya Sabha due to their small
populations.
Tenure of Members

Tenure of Rajya Sabha members is not mentioned in the Constitution.

It is decided by a law of the Parliament.

Representation of People's Act, 1951 provides 6-year tenure for Rajya Sabha
members with no bar on re-election.

One-third of members retire every two years, ensuring continuity in the chamber.

Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber of the Parliament and is not subject to

dissolution.
Role of Rajya Sabha in our Polity

Representation of states: Rajya Sabha represents interests of states in the Union

Legislature. In our federal polity, members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the MLAs
and they are expected to raise issues and challenges faced by various states.

Revising House: Bills (except money bills) that originate in Lok Sabha goes through
scrutiny and vote of the Rajya Sabha before they are transmitted to the President for
his/her assent.

Check on hasty legislation: Rajya Sabha can effectively stall bills passed by the Lok
Sabha in a hasty manner.
Role of Rajya Sabha in our Polity

Opportunity for experts: Subject experts may not stand a chance in getting
themselves elected through a direct election.

Balance of power: Government of the day possesses a majority in the Lok Sabha. This
majority can be used to pass bills without required deliberations and discussions
Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha was constituted for the first time on 17th April 1952 after the first general
elections held from 25th October 1951 to 21st February 1952.

Composition
Maximum Strength
• Article 81 of the Constitution prescribes maximum strength of the
Lok Sabha.
• It is fixed at 550 members.
Present Strength
• Total members - 543
• Representatives from states - 524
• Representatives from UTs - 19
Lok Sabha

Qualifications and disqualifications

• These are similar to those related to the Rajya Sabha. One exception is
that a person above the age of 25 years can contest an election to the
Lok Sabha.
Election of members of Lok Sabha

Mode of Election: Directly elected by people from territorial constituencies

prescribed for states by the Delimitation Act.

Election System: The first-past-the-post system.

Universal Adult Franchise: Every eligible Indian citizen who is above 18 years of age
can vote, subject to laws of the Parliament.

Eligibility of Voters: Individuals in lawful custody of police and those serving the
sentence of imprisonment after conviction cannot vote as per section 62(5) of RPA,
1951.
Voting Age: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act reduced the voting age from 21
years to 18 years.
What is First past the post system?

First Past the Post System (FPTP): A candidate contesting an election is declared a
winner if they secure more votes than all other candidates, regardless of whether
they secure more than 50% of total votes in a constituency.

Simplicity: Easy to understand, which was necessary when only

12% of the population was literate at the time of independence.

Reasons for Choice: Allows voters to choose between political parties and
Adoption specific candidates.

Stability: Helps to form a stable government with a requisite

majority, which would be difficult in a proportional representation
system.
Election of members of Lok Sabha

Representation from Union Territories

• Constitutional Provision: Constitution has ‘empowered’ the Parliament to
prescribe the manner of choosing the representatives of the union territories in
the Lok Sabha.
• Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act,1965 – was
enacted by Parliament to fulfil the constitutional provision.
• Mode of election, election system, and voting age is the same as that of states.
Territorial Constituency

Objective: For the purpose of holding ‘direct elections’ to the Lok Sabha, each state is
divided into territorial constituencies. It should be noted that states are not divided
into constituencies for elections to the Rajya Sabha.

Delimitation Act: Constitution under article 82 has empowered the Parliament to

decide the allocation of seats to different states in the Lok Sabha and determine areas
of territorial constituencies for the purpose of elections to Lok Sabha, after every
census. Parliament has passed 4 delimitation acts till date. They were passed in 1952,
1962, 1972 and 2002.
Territorial Constituency

Allocation of Seats to states in Lok Sabha: Allocation is done in a manner which, as

far as practicable, ensures that the ‘ratio’ between population of a particular state
and the number seats allotted that state is same for all states.

Example - Population of Maharashtra as per 1971 census was almost 50 million and
Lok Sabha seats allotted to Maharashtra - 48

Allocation of Seats to different territorial constituencies within the state: Allocation

is done in such a manner that the ‘ratio’ between the population of each constituency
and the number of seats allotted to it is the same throughout the state.
Reservation of seats
Constitutional provision: Article 330 provides for reservation of seats for members of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Communities in the Lok Sabha.

104th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 2019: it has extended this reservation for
another 10 years i.e. up to 2030.

Population Ratios: The ratio between the number of seats allotted to SCs or STs and
the total number of seats allotted to that State/UT, as nearly as possible, should be
the same as the ratio between total population of SCs or STs in that State/UT and
total population of that State/UT.
Representation of the People’s Act 1951 (RPA 1951): The candidate must belong to
scheduled caste community in order to contest an election for a seat reserved for
scheduled castes.
Term of Lok Sabha

Normally, the term of Lok Sabha is five years from the date of its first meeting.

The Lok Sabha can be dissolved by the President even before the completion of five
years. Automatic dissolution – After completion of the term of 5 years.
Term of the Lok Sabha can be extended during ‘National Emergency’.
Vacation of seats
Under Article 101, the constitution mentions about vacation of seats:

• A person cannot be a member of both the houses of

the parliament. If a person is elected to both houses,
they must inform within ten days which house they
Double wish to serve. Otherwise, their seat in the Rajya Sabha
membership falls vacant.
• If a sitting member of one house gets elected to other
house of parliament, their seat in the first house
becomes vacant.

• A member can resign from their seat by writing to the

Speaker or the Chairman, as the case may be.
Resignation • The Speaker or the Chairman checks the genuineness
of the resignation and only the ‘voluntary resignations’
are accepted.
Vacation of seats

• A person can be disqualified on any of the grounds

Disqualification mentioned under Article 102 of the constitution or
RPA, 1951 or under anti-defection law.

• If a member of parliament remains absent, without

Absence from the
permission of the house from all meetings for a period
house
of sixty days the house may declare their seat vacant.
Vacation of seats

A seat of a member of parliament may also fall vacant in following cases

If the election of a member of the parliament is declared void.

If a member of the parliament is expelled from the house.

If the member of the parliament gets elected to the office of President, Vice President
or Governor of the State.
Presiding Officers of Parliament

Speaker of the Lok

Sabha

Current Speaker: Om Birla

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Election of Speaker

• The Speaker is elected by members of the Lok Sabha from amongst

themselves.
• It means that the Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha at the
time of his/her election.
• Date for the election of the speaker is ‘fixed’ by the President.
• If the Speaker of Lok Sabha ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha,
the office of speaker falls vacant.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Resignation

• The Speaker can tender resignation by writing it to the Deputy Speaker.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Removal

• The Speaker can be removed with a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha
with a majority of all the then members of Lok Sabha.
• This type of majority is popularly known as ‘effective majority’.
• 14 days advance notice must be given to the Speaker before moving
such a resolution.
• Resolution for removal needs the support of at least 50 members.
• The Speaker cannot preside over the Lok Sabha during consideration of
such a resolution.
• The speaker does not have a power of ‘casting vote’ but can vote in a
first instance during consideration of such a resolution.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Continuation of Office

• The Speaker holds office from the date of his/her election till
immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha.
• So, the Speaker continues to hold the office even after dissolution of
the Lok Sabha to which he/she was elected.
• It means that the tenure of the office of Speaker is not co-terminus
with the tenure of the Lok Sabha.
Powers and Functions of Speaker

The Constitution of India

Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha

Sources of
power Rules related to the Conduct of business of Lok Sabha

Parliamentary conventions

It is the primary responsibility of the Speaker to maintain order

Maintaining and decorum in the House for conduct of its business.
Order and The speaker also has the power to regulate the proceedings of Lok
decorum in the Sabha.
house
Using these powers, the speaker can suspend member/s of the Lok
Sabha for their unruly behaviour.
Powers and Functions of Speaker

Speaker is the final interpreter in relation to the provisions of -

Speaker as a the Constitution of India,

final
Interpreter the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and

The parliamentary precedents, within the Lok Sabha.

The Speaker has the power to adjourn or suspend a meeting of Lok

Sabha in absence of a quorum.
Adjournment
power Quorum is the minimum number of members that must be
present in the house in order to constitute a meeting. The quorum
for a meeting of either house of the parliament is 10% of its
respective strength. i.e. quorum for Lok Sabha - 55 members.
Powers and Functions of Speaker

Casting Vote: Speaker does not vote in the first instance. But he can exercise a casting
vote in the case of a tie.

Joint Sitting: Speaker presides over a joint setting of the two Houses of Parliament.

Secret Sitting: The Speaker can allow a secret sitting of the House at the request of
the Leader of the House.

Custodian of rights and privileges: The speaker acts as a custodian of rights and
privileges of members of the Lok Sabha.

Money bill: The Speaker is the final authority to certify a particular bill as a money
bill. His decision on this question is final.
Powers and Functions of Speaker

Disqualification of Members: The Speaker has the final authority to decide on the
question of disqualification of a member of Lok Sabha under the Anti-defection law.
However, the Supreme Court in Kihoto Hollohan case 1992 ruled that a decision of
the speaker in disqualification matters related to anti-defection law is subject to
judicial review.
Acceptance of Resignation: The speaker accepts resignation of members of the Lok
Sabha and decides on genuineness of such resignations.
Powers and Functions of Speaker

Ex-officio The Speaker is ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary

chairman Group (link between Indian Parliament and various parliaments of
the world) and the conference of presiding officers of legislative
bodies in the country.

The speaker appoints the chairman of all the parliamentary

committees of the Lok Sabha.

The speaker serves as the Chairman of following committees of

Appointment the Lok Sabha-
authority
The Business Advisory Committee,
The Rules Committee and
The General-Purpose Committee.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Issue of Impartiality and independence of the Speaker

• A vibrant democracy is inconceivable without a representative and efficient

legislature.
• Our constitutional forefathers envisaged the position of the Speaker to be of
utmost importance for functioning of parliamentary democracy.
• In their view, the members represent individual constituencies, but the Speaker
represents the house itself.
Comparison of office of speaker
Parameters British model Indian model American model
Nature of office Neutral in practice. Neutral in theory. Openly supports
party.
Formally resigns Not necessarily Remains a member
from party resign from the of the party he/she
Resignation
party. belongs to.
He/she enjoys only His decision is final He only presides
tie breaking votes in matters of over the meetings of
and is supreme disqualifications in house i.e. final
Voting Power authority over case of defection decision rests with
conduct of business and enjoys only house in case of
and issues of casting vote. disagreements over
disqualifications. disqualification and
other issues.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Importance of impartiality and independence of speaker

• Speaker is referred to as the conscience and guardian of the house and hence
he/she should be a person who is impartial and is expected to be above party
politics.
• Independence of the speaker means that he/she should not be under any external
pressure while performing his/her duties and should consider constitutional
morality as a guiding principle while conducting the business in the house.
• Impartiality implies that decisions should be made without regard to bias,
prejudice or an unfair favour to one individual or group over another. Hence, the
impartiality of the Speaker ensures accountability of the executive.
• However, the last few years have witnessed decline in functioning of Parliament
and a growing trend of the Speaker acting against the Constitutional duty of being
neutral.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Controversies regarding the role of Speaker

• The present convention of Speaker continuing to be an active member of ruling
party attracts allegations in relation to him/her being partial in taking up matters
of urgent public importance for debate eg. Frequent disruptions in the recent
winter session-2022 for taking up matters of India-China stand off for debate.
• The decision of the Speaker to certify the Aadhaar bill as a money bill also came
under controversy and questioning powers of the Speaker.
• The discretionary power of the speaker in matters related to the Anti-defection
law is often criticised by the experts.
• Only 13% bills till now have been referred to committees in 17th Lok Sabha which
showcase a trend of decline in debate and scrutiny in parliament.
Constitutional provisions

Security of tenure: A speaker is provided with a security of tenure. He/she can be

removed from his office only by a resolution passed by LokSabha by an effective
majority. Such a motion can be discussed only when it has the support of at least 50
members and a 14 days prior notice is given to the speaker.

Expenditure charged on the consolidated fund of India: Salaries and allowances of

the speaker are fixed by Parliament and are charged on consolidated fund of India
thus not subject to vote in Parliament.
Constitutional provisions

Casting Vote: He/she can vote only in case of equality of votes which makes his
position impartial.

Conduct cannot be discussed in courts: Speaker’s power of conducting and regulating

procedures of house cannot be discussed in courts. This is provided in order to ensure
his/her independence.
Constitutional provisions

Way forward

• Apart from existing provisions in constitution and conventions, following

suggestions can be implemented
• Set up an Independent Tribunal: The Supreme Court has recommended that
parliament can consider setting up an independent tribunal for dealing with
anti-defection cases under the 10th schedule.
• Implementing the British Model: In Britain, the Speaker is strictly a non party
person. He/she has to resign from the party and remain politically neutral.
• Ensuring healthy debate: In Re Delhi Laws Act case, 1951 the Supreme court
held that the essential legislative functions must remain the domain of
legislature.
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Election: Deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by members of the Lok Sabha
from amongst themselves. Election date is fixed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Significance: The Deputy Speaker enjoys all powers and functions of the speaker
when the speaker is absent from proceedings or if the office of speaker has fallen
vacant.
Special Privilege - Whenever appointed as member of a Parliamentary Committee, he
automatically becomes its chairman.
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Removal - He is removed in the same manner as that of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Voting power - He/she votes like any other member of Lok Sabha when he/she is not
presiding. When he/she presides over the meeting of Lok Sabha, he/she exercises a
casting vote (like the Speaker).

Note - Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the speaker, he is directly responsible to

the house.
Resignation - He submits his resignation to the Speaker.
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Important Note - The 17th Lok Sabha is yet to elect the Deputy
Speaker. Article 93 does not prescribe the exact time limit within which
the speaker should declare a date of election to the office of deputy
speaker.
Speaker Pro tem

The speaker pro tem is appointed by the

President to preside over the first sitting of
newly elected Lok Sabha.

Usually, the senior most member of the Lok

Sabha is appointed as the speaker pro tem.

Speaker pro tem enjoys all powers and functions Pro tem for 17th LS:
of the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Dr Virendra Kumar
Speaker Pro tem

Main duty of Speaker pro tem is to administer the oath to members of newly elected
Lok Sabha.
This office is temporary in nature and ceases to exist once the house elects its
speaker.
It should be noted that the term Speaker pro tem is nowhere mentioned in the
Constitution.
Panel of Chairpersons

Panel of Chairpersons
• It is a panel of 10 members of Lok Sabha, who are all nominated by the
Speaker to act as the Speaker in case both the Speaker and the Deputy
Speaker are absent from a sitting of the House.
• Any member of the panel can act as Speaker in case both Speaker and
Deputy Speaker are absent.
• If the office of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker are vacant then a
member of the panel cannot preside over the House.
• In such cases the President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha to act
as the Speaker of the House until a new Speaker is elected.
Chairman of
Rajya Sabha
Current Chairman:
Jagdeep Dhankar
Chairman of Rajya Sabha

There is no separate election for the post of Chairman of Rajya Sabha as the Vice
President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Powers and functions of the
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are similar to those of the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Key
differences between their positions are as follows-
Money Bill: It is the speaker who certifies a particular bill as a money bill and not the
Chairman.
Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Joint Sitting: It is the Speaker who presides over a joint sitting of the two houses in
case of a deadlock over a particular bill and not the Chairman.

Removal: Both the houses have a role to play in case of removal of the Vice-
President/Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Vice-President can be removed from office by a
resolution of the Rajya Sabha, passed by a majority of all the then members of the
Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

• The deputy chairman is elected by members of the Rajya Sabha from

amongst themselves.
• Powers and functions along with the removal process of the deputy
chairman are similar to those of the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Panel of Vice-Chairpersons

Panel of Vice-Chairpersons

• The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha nominates some of its members to

the panel of vice-chairpersons.
• Members of this panel perform the same functions as performed by
their counterparts in the Lok Sabha.

Current Deputy Chairman:

Harivansh Narayan Singh
PYQ - Prelims

Q. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that: (2017)

A. The executive and legislature work independently
B. It provides continuity of policy and is more efficient
C. The executive remains responsible to the legislature
D. The head of the government cannot be changed without election
PYQ - Prelims

Q. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that: (2017)

A. The executive and legislature work independently
B. It provides continuity of policy and is more efficient
C. The executive remains responsible to the legislature
D. The head of the government cannot be changed without election
PYQ - Prelims
Q. With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
(2022)
1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of
Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of
Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the
sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy
Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime
Minister.
Which of the statements above given are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 2 and 4 only
PYQ - Prelims
Q. With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
(2022)
1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of
Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of
Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the
sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy
Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime
Minister.
Which of the statements above given are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 2 and 4 only
PYQ - Prelims

Q. Regarding the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following
statements: (2012)
1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President.
2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election
but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date
of his/her election.
3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be
addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. None
PYQ - Prelims

Q. Regarding the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following
statements: (2012)
1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President.
2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election
but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date
of his/her election.
3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be
addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. None
Mains question

Although the Indian parliamentary system is modelled on the British parliamentary

system, yet it is different from the latter in a number of aspects. Discuss with
illustrations (15 marks, 250 words)
Thank you
Q. On the basis of the process of amendment of the constitution, where does the Candidates
must not
Indian Constitution lie? Explain. (10 marks, 150 words) write on
संिवधान संशोधन की ि या के आधार पर भारतीय संिवधान की ा थित है ? ा ा this margin
कीिजए।

Question Demand
The question requires you to explain the process of Constitutional amendment in India and
reach to the conclusion about the position of Indian Constitution i.e. rigid or flexible.

Answer Outline
Begin your answer by writing about amendment of constitution with time
Then explain the status of the Indian Constitution on the basis of the process of amendment
of the constitution by using examples of flexible and rigid constitution.
Finally conclude your answer by taking the stand on position of the Indian Constitution.

Model Answer
As societies and polities change, there arises a need to make changes in their constitutions
which are made in the form of amendments.

Status of Indian Constitution on the basis of process of amendment of the constitution

However, the degree to which amendments can be made to the constitution varies from
constitution to constitution.
Certain constitutions readily allow all or any changes to them. Here every law of every
description can legally be changed with the same ease and in the same manner by the same
body. For example, the constitution of England
Then there are certain constitutions where changes are difficult to make. Here certain laws
generally known as constitutional or fundamental laws, cannot be changed in the same
manner as ordinary laws. For example, the US constitution.
Then is the case of Indian constitution where a balance of the flexibility and rigidity has been
created by providing for provisions which can be amended as simple laws, then there are
provisions are difficult to amend (on the basis of the consensus required and the approval
from states) and finally there are certain provisions which cannot be amended (categorised as
Basic Structure by the Supreme Court)
Thus, the Indian Constitution is a balanced synthesis of both rigid and flexible nature of
amending process.
Q. On the basis of the process of amendment of the constitution, where does Candidates
must not
the Indian Constitution lie? Explain. (10 marks, 150 words) write on
संिवधान संशोधन की ि या के आधार पर भारतीय संिवधान कहाँ थत है ? ा ा this margin
कीिजए।
 Candidates
must not
write on
this margin

For 10 Marks Questions

Introduction (1) Relevance & Understanding (6) Conclusion (1) Meaningfulness (2)
Q. Why is Rajya Sabha essential to the Indian parliamentary scheme and
federal structure? (15 marks, 250 words)
राज्यसभा भारतीय संसदीय योजना और संघीय ढााँचे के लिए क्ों आवश्यक है ? लिप्पणी
कीलजए
 For 15 Marks Questions
Introduction (1.5) Relevance & Understanding (9) Conclusion (1.5) Meaningfulness (3)