Differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Read Complete Details!

Safalta expert Published by: Gitika Jangir Updated Fri, 08 Dec 2023 04:26 PM IST

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Clear all your queries related to Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha here with Safalta. Get to know the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha , functions and important questions related to them.

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Differences Between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: The Indian Parliament is composed of two distinct chambers: the Lower House and the Upper House. Referred to as the Lok Sabha or the House of People, the Lower House, and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States, the Upper House, work together to bring about legislative reforms in the nation. While there are certain similarities between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, they also display notable differences. To offer a comprehensive understanding to candidates, we have outlined all the unique characteristics and comparisons between these two chambers.
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TABLE OF CONTENT

  1. Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 
  2. Houses of Parliament
  3. Functions of Lok Sabha
  4. Functions of Rajya Sabha 
  5. Important questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 
  6. Between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, who is the most powerful?
  7. How many members are there in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
  8. How are members elected in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
  9. How many members are nominated in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
  10. Who chairs Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?


Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 

The following table summarises the significant distinctions between the upper and lower houses of Parliament:

Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
Known as the People's House  Known as the Council of States 
It is dissolvable.  It is a permanent body since it cannot be dissolved. 
Direct elections allow eligible voters to choose their representatives.  Comprised of elected legislators from the Assemblies of States and Union Territories who are indirectly elected. 
Lok Sabha is headed by the Speaker     The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 
The lower house's strength is 552.  The upper house has a strength of 250 members. 
The Lok Sabha has the authority to reject a money bill.  The Rajya Sabha has the authority to defend the rights of states against the Union, but it cannot reject a money bill. 
The minimum age to join is 25 years old.  To become a member, you must be 30 years old. 
The Lok Sabha has the power to express no confidence in the government, the  Rajya Sabha has no power to express no confidence in
n the Annual Budget, and the Lok Sabha can vote on grant requests.  In the case of the budget, the Rajya Sabha has no voting power and can simply debate. 
If the Anglo-Indian Community is underrepresented, the President can designate two members.  The president names 12 members with expertise and practical experience in the arts, literature, science, and social service. 
The method of election employed is the Universal Adult Franchise.  The election method utilized is Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote.

IMPORTANT :

Out of all Union Territories, only Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry are represented in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: safalta.com

The Rajya Sabha is Parliament's lower chamber, and a third of its members retire every two years. Another point to keep in mind is that the Council of Ministers reports solely to the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.

Houses of Parliament

Take a look at the following explanations. The Indian Parliament is divided into two chambers: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

LOK SABHA 

The Lower House of the Lok Sabha has a total of 552 members. 

Seating breakdown- 
  • 530 members represent the States. 20 persons represent the Union Territories. 
  • Additionally, the president proposes two candidates from the Anglo-Indian community. 
  • There are only 545 members in total because only 13 members are elected to represent the Union Territories. 
  • Two Anglo Indians were not nominated for the Lok Sabha after the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 was passed.


RAJYA SABHA 


The Upper House of the Rajya Sabha has 250 members. 

Seating breakdown

States and Union Territories are represented by 238 members who were indirectly elected. The President nominates 12 members. The current membership is 245 members, with 233 members from states and UTs and 12 members of nomination.

Functions of Lok Sabha:

Legislative powers of the Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha has the power to pass bills and laws affecting states and union territories. When a bill is passed by two-thirds of the members of parliament in an emergency, the bill is only valid for one year. Other bills, aside from money bills, can be passed by either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. If these government entities are unable to reach an agreement, the President of India will intervene. In terms of legislative power, the Lok Sabha outnumbers the Rajya Sabha.

Financial Issues: Members of the Lok Sabha introduce Money Bills. When the Lok Sabha passes a bill, it is forwarded to the Rajya Sabha for approval and suggestions. If the proposed modifications are agreed upon by members of the Lok Sabha, the bill will be passed by both houses of parliament. The Rajya Sabha has a 14-day deadline to make the requested adjustments. 

Elections: In terms of elections, Article 54 of the Indian Constitution serves numerous purposes. The Lok Sabha chooses its speaker, who is also a member of the lower house.

Miscellaneous:

  • The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha alter the Indian Constitution. 
  • Both houses of parliament have the power to appoint and dismiss judges from the High Court and Supreme Court. 
  • The Rajya Sabha must have the consent of the members of the Lok Sabha to remove the Vice-President. 
  • Every decision taken by the Rajya Sabha must be approved by the Lok Sabha.

Functions of Rajya Sabha :

  • The Rajya Sabha is the Indian parliament that represents all of India's states and union territories. 
  • To become legislation, a bill must pass both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. 
  • The Rajya Sabha has the power to examine and amend bills that have been passed by the Lok Sabha. 
  • Representatives or elected members of the assemblies of several states elect the members. 
  • The Rajya Sabha currently has 300 members, 12 of whom are appointed by the President of India.

Important questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha :

When an aspirant learns about the Indian Parliament for the first time, he or she may become perplexed as to the differences in composition, tenure, and functions between the two chambers. Below, we'll answer all of your queries about the distinctions between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha reading, so that you may prepare mentally for the UPSC 2020 exam. 

The following are the questions:


Q . Between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, who is the most powerful?


 A. The Parliament is made up of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as the President. Powers have been granted to both houses. However, there is a minor difference in their abilities. On the following issues, the Lok Sabha has more power than the Rajya Sabha:
  • The Lok Sabha can express dissatisfaction with the government in ways that the Rajya Sabha does not: 
  1. By failing to pass a motion of gratitude for the President's inauguration address and rejecting an appropriation bill (To read on how a bill is passed in the Indian Parliament, check the linked article.) 
  2. By passing a motion of censure or adjournment 
  3. By outsmarting the government on a crucial subject, Performing a cut motion 
 Important: The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, has the power to criticize the government's actions and policies.
  • Only the Lok Sabha can introduce a money bill under Article 110. (In the linked article, aspirants can learn more about Money Bill.)
  • Only the Lok Sabha can introduce a financial bill under Article 110 (1). 
  • However, with the approval of the bill, the powers remain the same. 
  • The Speaker of the Lok Sabha determines whether bills are Money Bills, whereas the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha does not have this authority. 
  • When both chambers meet in a combined session, the Lok Sabha with the greater number of members invariably wins. 
  • When it comes to the union budget, the Rajya Sabha can only debate it and not vote on grant requests.
 

Q. How many members are there in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. The composition of both the houses is given below:
 

Composition of Lok Sabha Composition of Rajya Sabha
Maximum Strength – 552 530 represent the States Maximum Strength – 250 238 elected indirectly and are representatives of States and Union Territories
20 are the representatives of Union Territories 12 are nominated by the President
2 are nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community Current strength – 245 233 represent states and Union Territories
Current Strength – 545 530 represent States
13 represent Union Territories 12 are nominated by President
2 are nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community
 

How are members elected in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. Both houses have different election principles. In both houses, there are three types of representation: 

  • Representation of States
  • Representation of Union Territories
  • Nominated Members
 
 

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of States

Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
  • Members are elected directly by the people in the states' territorial constituencies. 
  • The Universal Adult Franchise was utilized as the election principle. 
  • Any Indian citizen above the age of 18 is eligible to vote.
  • Note: Voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988
  • Members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies
  • Election Principle used – Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote
  • Allotment of Seats – Based on population

Note: The number of representatives varies from state to state

 

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of Union Territories

Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
  • Parliament is empowered to choose the members from the UTs in any manner it desires
  • Election Principle used – Direct Election

NoteUnion Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965, has been enacted by which the members of Lok Sabha from the union territories are chosen by direct election.

  • Members are indirectly elected by members of an electoral college specially constituted for the purpose
  • Election Principle used – Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote

Note: Out of eight UTs, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry have representation in the Rajya Sabha

 

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of Nominated Members

Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
President nominates 2 members from Anglo-Indian Community if they are not adequately represented

 

Note: The provision to nominate Anglo-Indians was extended till 2020 by the 95th Amendment Act, 2009

President nominates 12 members from people who have special knowledge and practical experience in :

 

  • Art
  • Literature
  • Science
  • Social Service
 

How many members are nominated in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. 12 members are nominated in Rajya Sabha. 2 are nominated from the Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha.

Q. Who chairs Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. Lok Sabha is chaired by the Speaker and Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice-President of India.
 

 
 

What is the basic difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Lok Sabha is the House of People, where people who are eligible to vote can elect their representative by way of direct elections. Rajya Sabha is the Council of States, where the representatives are indirectly elected by the elected representatives of the Assemblies of States and union territories.

Is Lok Sabha bigger or Rajya Sabha?

In conclusion, it is clear that the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha in almost all matters. Even in those matters in which the Constitution has placed both Houses on an equal footing, the Lok Sabha has more influence due to its greater numerical strength.

Who picks India's Prime Minister? 

The president of India appoints the prime minister; but, the prime minister must have the support of a majority of Lok Sabha members, who are directly elected every five years, or he will resign.

A governor is appointed by whom? 

The President appoints the Governor of a State for a five-year term and keeps office during his pleasure. Only Indian citizens over the age of 35 are eligible to hold this position. The Governor has executive power over the state.

Which article deals with issues related to the Fundamental Questions ?

Article 79-122 of the Indian Constitution deal with constitution, policy and etc related to the Fundamental Questions.

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