Questions and activities:
1. Find out how many representatives from your state are in each House of the Parliament.
Answer:
● Every state has members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
● Lok Sabha seats are based on population of the state.
● Rajya Sabha seats are fixed numbers allotted to each state.
● Example: Uttar Pradesh has the highest with 80 Lok Sabha and 31 Rajya Sabha seats.
● (You can check your own state’s numbers in the official Parliament website or teacher’s help).
2. What makes the Indian Parliament the “voice of the people”? How does it ensure that different opinions are heard?
Answer:
● Members of Parliament (MPs) are directly or indirectly elected by the people.
● It discusses and debates laws, policies, and national issues.
● Different parties and groups express their opinions.
● Committees and question hours ensure accountability.
● Thus, Parliament reflects the diverse voices of India.
3. Why do you think the Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature?
Answer:
● To prevent misuse of power by the government.
● Ministers are answerable to MPs for their actions.
● They must answer questions and explain decisions.
● If they lose majority support, they must resign.
● This keeps the system democratic and accountable.
4. Why do you think we have chosen the system of bicameral legislature at the Union level?
Answer:
● To give space for both people’s representation (Lok Sabha) and states’ representation (Rajya Sabha).
● It ensures a balance of interests between citizens and states.
● Laws are checked by two Houses, avoiding hasty decisions.
● Rajya Sabha acts as a review chamber.
● It makes law-making more balanced and democratic.
5. Try to track the journey of a recent bill passed by the Parliament. Identify in which House it was introduced. Were there any major debates or disagreements? How long did it take for the bill to become a law? Use newspaper archives, government websites, and Lok Sabha debates, or ask your teacher for help.
Answer:
● A bill is first introduced in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
● It is debated, sometimes amended, and then passed.
● Then it goes to the other House for approval.
● After both Houses agree, it is sent to the President for assent.
● The whole process may take weeks or months depending on debates.
6. Choose a recent law passed by the Parliament. Divide into teams to role-play different parts of the process — MPs debating in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, ministers answering questions, and the President giving assent. Present a short skit showing how a bill becomes a law; enact a ‘model Parliament’.
Answer:
● MPs introduce and debate the bill in Lok Sabha.
● Ministers defend and answer questions about it.
● The bill is then discussed in Rajya Sabha.
● Both Houses pass the bill with majority support.
● Finally, the President signs it into law.
7. The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, was passed with wide support. Why might it have taken over 25 years for this bill to be passed, despite being discussed for so long?
Answer:
● There was political disagreement over women’s quota.
● Some parties wanted sub-quotas for OBC and minority women.
● Social and cultural barriers delayed consensus.
● Political parties feared losing existing vote banks.
● Only in 2023 did broad support emerge to pass it.
8. Sometimes the Parliament is disrupted and does not function for the number of days it is supposed to. What impact do you think this has on the quality of laws and the trust people place in their representatives?
Answer:
● Important bills and debates get delayed.
● Laws may be passed without proper discussion.
● Public money is wasted when sessions are stalled.
● It reduces people’s trust in their leaders.
● Democracy weakens when Parliament cannot function well.
9. Can you create ‘interest’ groups among students and list questions related to any policy that you may want to ask your MP and / or your MLA? How would these questions be different if it is to the MP instead of the MLA, and vice versa?
Answer:
● Students can form groups on topics like education, environment, or digital safety.
● Questions to MPs may be about national policies (e.g., NEP, internet rules).
● Questions to MLAs may be about local issues (e.g., school facilities, roads).
● MPs focus on national decisions, MLAs on state and local matters.
● This helps in linking both local and national governance.
10. What is the role that the Judiciary plays in Indian democracy? What could happen if we didn’t have an independent judiciary?
Answer:
● Judiciary protects the Constitution and citizens’ rights.
● It checks whether laws are fair and constitutional.
● It can strike down unjust government actions.
● Independent judiciary ensures justice without bias.
● Without it, rulers could misuse power and citizens lose protection.
Introduction
• India became independent in 1947; citizens gained the right to govern themselves.
• The Constitution of India (1950) laid the foundation of governance.
• Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult citizens has the right to vote, irrespective of caste, gender, class, or
religion.
• Parliament represents the people and makes laws with their consent.
• First Lok Sabha: 1952; Current (18th) Lok Sabha: 2024.
Composition of the Indian Parliament of India
• Bicameral Legislature: Two houses + President.
• Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House) – directly elected.
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House) – indirectly elected by state legislatures.
• President – part of the Parliament.
• Representation based on population of states.
• Speaker presides over Lok Sabha; Vice President is Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
Union Executive
• Composed of:
• President – Head of State (nominal executive).
• Vice President – also Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
• Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister – real executive authority.
• Council of Ministers:
• Chosen from MPs (both houses).
• Collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
• Assisted by civil servants (bureaucrats).
Legislative Functions of Parliament
(a) Constitutional Functions
• Elects the President and Vice President.
• Amends the Constitution.
• Ensures federalism, separation of powers, and protection of Fundamental Rights.
(b) Lawmaking
• Main functions: Passing laws.
• Bill → Act → Law (steps: introduction, reading, committee
stage, voting, President’s assent).
Example: Right to Education Act (2009).
• Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha.
(c) Executive Accountability
• Government is answerable to Parliament.
• Questions Hour: MPs question ministers.
• Parliamentary Commitiees review ministries’ work.
(d) Financial Accountability
• Parliament approves the annual budget.
• Ensures government spends public money responsibly.
Executive Functions of Parliament
(a) President
• Head of State; performs constitutional duties.
• Gives assent to bills, summons Parliament, appoints PM and ministers.
• Uses discretionary powers during crises (e.g., hung Parliament).
(b) Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
• Real executive authority.
• Key functions:
• Lead Council of Ministers.
• Advise the President.
• Formulate policies and run ministries.
• Collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
Differences: Legislature vs Executive
• Legislature
• Composition :- President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
• Role :- Makes laws, supervises Executive
• Bills :- Can introduce some bills
• Accountability :- Questions Executive
• Finance :- Sanctions expenditure
• Executive
• Composition :- President, Vice President, PM & Council of Ministers
• Role :- Implements laws, runs government
• Bills :- Introduces most bills
• Accountability :- Answers to Legislature
• Finance :- Prepares budget
Judiciary – Role of Checks and Balances
• Independent organ of government.
• Interprets laws, safeguards Constitution, protects Fundamental Rights.
• Ensures laws and executive actions do not violate the Constitution.
• Maintains checks and balances between Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary
State Legislature & Executive
• Each state has a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha); some have Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).
• Head of State: Governor (appointed by President).
• Real executive: Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
• States legislate on State List; both Centre & States on Concurrent List.
Challenges to Legislatures
• Absenteeism of members.
• Disruptions & reduced debate quality.
• Low productivity of sessions.
• Presence of MPs with criminal cases.
Importance of Parliament
• Represents people’s voice.
• Protects democratic values.
• Ensures accountability of government.
• Strengthens unity through federalism.
• Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee: “Governments will come and go, but democracy must endure.”
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