Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha Decoded Powers, Composition & The 'House of Elders' Debate
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha Decoded: Powers, Composition & The 'House of Elders' Debate description: "The definitive guide comparing the two Houses of Parliament. Understand why Lok Sabha dominates in Money Bills and No-Confidence Motions, while Rajya Sabha holds exclusive federal powers under Article 249 and 312." date: 2026-01-13 author: Civics Desk | Sansad Online tags: [Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Bicameralism, Article 249, Article 312, Money Bill, Joint Sitting, Council of States, House of the People, Federalism]
⚖️ Parliament 101: Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha (The Power Struggle)
The Bicameral Balance
Two Eyes of the Nation.
- Lok Sabha (Lower House): Represents the People. (Directly Elected).
- Rajya Sabha (Upper House): Represents the States. (Indirectly Elected).
- The Muscle: Lok Sabha controls the Money and the Government.
- The Wisdom: Rajya Sabha controls Federal Rights and Service Rules.
🏛️ THE "OBSTRUCTION" MYTH: Critics often call the Rajya Sabha a "speed breaker" because it delays bills passed by the Lok Sabha. But the Constitution intended it to be a speed breaker. It is the "Cooling Chamber" where heated populist legislation from the Lok Sabha cools down, gets debated by elders/experts, and is fixed before becoming law. Without Rajya Sabha, a brute majority in Lok Sabha could change the Constitution overnight.
Introduction: Why Two Houses?
(Bicameralism Explained)
India follows the Bicameral System (like the UK and USA).
- House of the People (Lok Sabha): 543 MPs elected directly by you. They have the "Mandate of the Masses."
- Council of States (Rajya Sabha): 245 MPs elected by MLAs. They represent the interests of Tamil Nadu, UP, Bihar, etc., against the Center.
While they are technically "co-equal" in making laws, the Constitution tilts the balance of power depending on the issue.
- If it's about Money or removing the PM, Lok Sabha is King.
- If it's about State Rights or Civil Services, Rajya Sabha is Queen.
This guide decodes the friction, the collaboration, and the exclusive superpowers of the "House of Elders."
👥 Part 1: Composition & Tenure
How do they get there?
Lok Sabha (The Temporary House)
- Strength: Max 550 (Currently 543).
- Election: Direct (Universal Adult Suffrage). First-Past-The-Post system.
- Tenure: 5 Years.
- Dissolution: It can be dissolved by the President (on PM's advice) before 5 years. It automatically dies after 5 years.
- Age Limit: Minimum 25 Years.
Rajya Sabha (The Permanent House)
- Strength: Max 250 (Currently 245).
- Election: Indirect. Elected by the MLAs of States using Single Transferable Vote (Proportional Representation).
- Nomination: The President nominates 12 members (Art, Literature, Science, Social Service). Example: Sudha Murty, Ilaiyaraaja.
- Tenure: Permanent Body. It is never dissolved.
- Member Tenure: An individual MP serves for 6 Years.
- Cycle: 1/3rd of members retire every 2 years. This ensures continuity.
- Age Limit: Minimum 30 Years (Hence "House of Elders").
💰 Part 2: Where Lok Sabha Dominates (Unequal Powers)
In these three areas, the Rajya Sabha is weak or helpless.
1. Money Bills (Article 110)
- Definition: Taxes, Borrowing, Consolidated Fund.
- Power: Can ONLY be introduced in Lok Sabha.
- Role of RS:
- It cannot reject or amend the bill.
- It can only make "Recommendations."
- It must return the bill within 14 Days.
- If LS rejects the recommendations (or RS delays >14 days), the Bill is Deemed Passed.
- Reality: This is why Governments try to label controversial bills (like Aadhaar) as "Money Bills"—to bypass a hostile Rajya Sabha.
2. No-Confidence Motion (Removing Govt)
- The Rule: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
- Impact: Rajya Sabha cannot remove the Government. Even if the PM is a Rajya Sabha member (like Manmohan Singh), they can only be removed by a vote in the Lok Sabha.
3. Joint Sitting (Numbers Game)
- Scenario: If both Houses disagree on an Ordinary Bill, a Joint Sitting is called.
- The Math: LS (543) + RS (245) = 788.
- Advantage: Since LS has more than double the members, the Lok Sabha usually wins the vote easily.
🛡️ Part 3: Where Rajya Sabha Dominates (Exclusive Powers)
The Constitution gives RS two "Federal Superpowers" that Lok Sabha doesn't have.
1. Authorizing State List Legislation (Article 249)
- Context: Parliament usually cannot make laws on "State List" subjects (e.g., Police, Agriculture).
- The Power: If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3rd Majority saying "It is in national interest to make a law on this State subject," then Parliament gets the power to do so for 1 year.
- Logic: Since RS represents States, only RS can give permission to encroach on State powers. LS cannot do this alone.
2. Creating New All-India Services (Article 312)
- Context: We have IAS, IPS, and IFoS.
- The Power: If the government wants to create a new "All India Judicial Service" or "All India Medical Service," the proposal MUST start in Rajya Sabha.
- Logic: All-India officers work in States. Since States are affected, the Council of States (RS) must agree first.
⚖️ Part 4: Where They Are Equal
For most other things, they are twins.
- Ordinary Bills: Any non-money bill can be introduced in either House. Both must pass it.
- Constitutional Amendment Bills: This is critical. No Joint Sitting is allowed. If Rajya Sabha rejects a Constitutional Amendment, the Amendment Dies. The Lok Sabha cannot override it.
- Impeachment: Election/Impeachment of President, Removal of Judges, etc., requires equal participation.
- Emergency Approval: Both Houses must approve National Emergency.
🌪️ The "Nominated Member" Debate
Lok Sabha used to have 2 Anglo-Indians (discontinued in 2020). Rajya Sabha has 12 Nominated Members.
- Purpose: To bring non-political expertise (Scientists, Artists) into the legislature.
- Criticism: Often, ruling parties use these seats to reward loyalists or celebrities who rarely attend (e.g., the attendance record of some cricketer/actor MPs has been notoriously poor).
- Rights: They have full voting rights except in the election of the President.
📉 Deadlock Resolution
What happens when LS says "Yes" and RS says "No"?
- Money Bill: RS opinion doesn't matter. LS wins.
- Constitution Amendment: Bill Dead. End of story.
- Ordinary Bill:
- Step 1: House A passes.
- Step 2: House B rejects OR disagrees on amendments OR sits on it for 6 months.
- Step 3: President summons a Joint Sitting (Article 108).
- Step 4: Simple Majority of total members present decides.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can the Prime Minister be from Rajya Sabha?
Yes.
- Examples: Indira Gandhi (1966), I.K. Gujral (1997), Manmohan Singh (2004, 2009).
- Constraint: They can speak in both Houses, but they can Vote only in Rajya Sabha.
- In UK: The PM must be from the Lower House (Commons). India does not follow this strict rule.
Q2. Why is RS called a "Permanent House"?
It is never dissolved.
- Even during an Emergency or when the Lok Sabha is dissolved for elections, the Rajya Sabha remains active. It provides Constitutional Continuity. If a war breaks out when LS is dissolved, RS can be summoned to approve Emergency proclamations.
Q3. Can the Budget be discussed in Rajya Sabha?
Yes.
- They can discuss it in detail. They just cannot Vote on the "Demands for Grants." They can't cut the funding, but they can criticize the allocation.
Q4. Who is more powerful?
- In Law Making: Technically Equal (mostly).
- In Politics: Lok Sabha. Because they can topple the government.
- In Federalism: Rajya Sabha. Because they guard state rights.
Q5. What is the "Leader of the House"?
- Lok Sabha: Usually the Prime Minister (if he is an LS MP). If PM is RS MP, he nominates a senior Minister.
- Rajya Sabha: A senior Minister (who is an RS MP) nominated by the PM. They manage the government's business in that House.
Bookmark this page. Democracy stands on two legs; if one is cut off, the system falls.