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Lok Sabha - House of the People

Explore Other Parliamentary Concepts: Rajya Sabha President Parliament State Legislature Speaker Money Bill

Introduction

The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is the lower house of India's bicameral Parliament. It represents the people of India as a whole and is the most powerful legislative body in the country.

Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 79: Constitution of Parliament (President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha)
  • Article 80: Composition of Rajya Sabha
  • Article 81: Composition of Lok Sabha
  • Article 83: Duration of Houses of Parliament
  • Article 84: Qualification for membership
  • Article 85: Sessions of Parliament, prorogation and dissolution

UPSC Note: The Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha in financial matters and confidence motions. However, both houses have equal powers in ordinary legislation.

Composition of Lok Sabha

Aspect Details
Maximum Strength 552 (530 from States + 20 from UTs + 2 Anglo-Indians*)
Current Strength (17th LS) 543 (530 from States + 13 from UTs)
Term 5 years (unless dissolved earlier)
Election Direct election by people on basis of universal adult franchise
Constituencies Single-member territorial constituencies (delimitation based on 1971 census until 2026)
Reservation 84 seats reserved for SCs and 47 for STs (as per 2019 data)

*Note: The provision for nomination of 2 Anglo-Indian members was removed by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.

Qualifications for Membership (Article 84)

Functions of Lok Sabha

1. Legislative Functions

2. Financial Functions

3. Executive Functions

4. Judicial Functions

5. Electoral Functions

Special Powers of Lok Sabha

Comparison with Rajya Sabha

Power Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
Money Bills Exclusive power to initiate; Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes Can delay for 14 days; no power to amend or reject
No-Confidence Motion Can pass no-confidence motion against government No such power
Financial Matters Final authority in financial matters Limited role
Joint Sitting Numerical superiority due to more members Less influence in joint sitting

Exclusive Powers:

Sessions of Lok Sabha

Session Time Features
Budget Session Feb-May Longest session; presentation and discussion of Budget
Monsoon Session Jul-Aug Discusses important legislative business
Winter Session Nov-Dec Shortest session; considers pending matters

Important Parliamentary Procedures

  • Question Hour: First hour of sitting for questions to ministers
  • Zero Hour: Informal discussion on matters of public importance
  • Motions: No-confidence motion, adjournment motion, calling attention motion
  • Debates: On bills, budget, policies
  • Committees: Standing committees, select committees, PAC, Estimates Committee

Legislative Process in Lok Sabha

Ordinary Bill Procedure

  1. First Reading: Introduction of bill
  2. Second Reading: Detailed consideration (can be referred to committee)
  3. Third Reading: Final debate and voting
  4. In Rajya Sabha: Same procedure (if passed, sent to President)
  5. Joint Sitting: If Rajya Sabha rejects/amends and Lok Sabha doesn't accept (Article 108)
  6. President's Assent: Bill becomes Act after President's approval

Money Bill Procedure (Article 110)

  1. Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with President's recommendation
  2. After passing in Lok Sabha, sent to Rajya Sabha for recommendations
  3. Rajya Sabha must return within 14 days (with or without recommendations)
  4. Lok Sabha may accept or reject recommendations
  5. Deemed passed by both Houses after 14 days if Rajya Sabha doesn't return

UPSC Note: The Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, and this decision is final (Article 110(3)). Controversy arose over this in Aadhaar Act case.

Special Situations and Powers

Dissolution of Lok Sabha (Article 85)

The President can dissolve Lok Sabha on advice of Council of Ministers. Effects of dissolution:

  • All business including bills pending before Lok Sabha lapse
  • Bills passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha don't lapse
  • Bills passed by both Houses but pending President's assent don't lapse
  • Emergency proclamation (Article 352) must be approved within 30 days of first sitting of new Lok Sabha

Joint Sitting of Parliament (Article 108)

Called by President to resolve deadlock between both Houses on ordinary bills. Conditions:

  • Bill must have been passed by one House and rejected by other
  • More than 6 months must have elapsed since bill was received by other House
  • Not applicable to Money Bills or Constitution Amendment Bills
  • Presided over by Speaker of Lok Sabha

No-Confidence Motion

Under Article 75(3), Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. Features:

  • Needs support of 50 members to be admitted
  • Debate must be completed within 10 days
  • If passed, government must resign
  • Different from censure motion and confidence motion

Landmark Cases:

  • S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Established that majority can only be tested on floor of House
  • Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992): Anti-defection law cases decided by Speaker subject to judicial review
  • Raja Ram Pal v. Speaker, Lok Sabha (2007): Judicial review of parliamentary proceedings permitted in case of illegality

Recent Developments