Parliament
Parliament is India's supreme legislative body, comprising the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. REET regularly asks questions on the structure of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the division of Union-State legislative powers (the Seventh Schedule).
- 1 question in REET 2024
- Class 6–8 level
- 12 min read
How REET asks this topic
REET 2024 asked which subject a state legislature cannot make laws on — the options given were police, currency, prisons and agriculture, and the correct answer was 'currency' because it is a Union List subject. This shows the exam checks the structure of Parliament alongside a fine understanding of the Seventh Schedule (Union/State/Concurrent Lists) — which subject falls under whose law-making power.
Structure of Parliament — Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha (Lower House)
Maximum/current strengthMaximum 552; currently 543 elected members
Method of electionDirect election by the people (adult suffrage)
Term5 years (can be dissolved before its term)
Minimum age (for membership)25 years
Power over Money BillsA Money Bill is introduced here
Reserved seats84 seats for Scheduled Castes, 47 for Scheduled Tribes
Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
Maximum/current strengthMaximum 250; currently 245 — 233 elected from states + 12 nominated by the President
Method of electionIndirect election by members of state legislative assemblies
TermA permanent House — never dissolved; about 1/3 of members retire every 2 years, each member's term is 6 years
Minimum age (for membership)30 years
Power over Money BillsCan only make recommendations within 14 days, cannot reject it
Reserved seatsNo caste-based reservation
Money Bills and the legislative process
A Money Bill — such as a bill related to imposing a tax or government expenditure — can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. After being passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha, which can only make recommendations within a maximum of 14 days, and cannot reject or hold it up. If the Rajya Sabha takes no action within 14 days, the bill is deemed passed by both Houses.
An ordinary (non-money) bill can be introduced in either House, and its passage needs the consent of both Houses; in case of disagreement, the President can summon a joint sitting of both Houses, presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
The Seventh Schedule — division of subjects
| List | Who can make laws | Example subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Union List | Only Parliament | Defence, foreign affairs, currency and banking, railways, posts and telegraphs, atomic energy, major ports |
| State List | Only the relevant state legislature | Police, public order, prisons, agriculture, land, public health, local government |
| Concurrent List | Both Parliament and state legislatures (Parliament's law prevails in case of conflict) | Education, forests, marriage-divorce, criminal law and procedure, labour welfare |
There is no subject like currency in the State List — currency and banking are in the Union List, so only Parliament can legislate on them.
Terms related to Parliamentary sessions and proceedings
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Budget Session | February–May; the Union Budget and the Finance Bill are passed in this session, the longest of the three |
| Monsoon Session | July–August/September; general legislative business and discussion on national issues |
| Winter Session | November–December; the shortest session, remaining legislative work is settled |
| Quorum | The minimum number of members required to conduct a House's sitting — one-tenth of the total membership |
| Question Hour | The first hour of a session, when members question ministers on government matters |
| Zero Hour | The period after Question Hour, when members can raise urgent matters without prior notice |
Parliament's sessions are summoned by the President; there cannot be a gap of more than 6 months between two sessions.
Stages of passing an ordinary bill
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| First Reading | The bill is introduced by a minister/member, with no debate |
| Second Reading | General discussion on the bill's principles; sent to a parliamentary committee if needed |
| Committee stage and clause-by-clause consideration | The committee takes expert opinion; each clause is discussed and amended separately |
| Third Reading | Final vote on the whole bill — passed by a simple majority of members present and voting |
| The other House | The bill goes through these same stages in the other House too |
| Presidential assent | Once passed by both Houses, the bill goes to the President; on receiving assent, it becomes an Act (law) |
How to teach this to children
Classroom activity ('child Parliament')
Have Class 7-8 children form a school 'Student Council', elect class representatives, and discuss and vote on 'proposals' for school problems — this gives a practical understanding of majority, proposals and decision-making.
Teaching material
Have children read a news report about a Parliament session in class and ask which House the bill was introduced in and why — this makes the difference between the Lok Sabha's and Rajya Sabha's roles clear through the news.
Common misconception
Students often think the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have equal powers — clarify that the Lok Sabha's power over Money Bills is far greater; the Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations.
Assessment idea
Give a matching worksheet on 'which subject falls under which list (Union/State/Concurrent)' to check understanding, in the style REET's questions follow.
Memory trick / exam tip
Remember 'currency-free State List' — subjects of national importance like currency, banking, defence, railways and posts always sit in the Union List; the State List holds subjects tied to local administration (police, prisons, agriculture, land, health). Whenever the exam asks 'what can a state legislature not make laws on', look among the options for the Union List subject.
REET 2024 questions asked (with solutions)
Question 99
According to the Indian Constitution the State legislature cannot make laws on which of the following subject ?
- Aपुलिस
- Bमुद्रा
- Cजेलखाना
- Dकृषि
Explanation
संविधान की सातवीं अनुसूची में ‘मुद्रा, सिक्का निर्माण और विधिमान्य मुद्रा’ संघ सूची का विषय है, इसलिए इस पर केवल संसद कानून बना सकती है। पुलिस, कारागार (जेल) और कृषि राज्य सूची के विषय हैं, जिन पर राज्य विधानमंडल कानून बनाता है।
Practice questions
Question 1
How many elected members does the Lok Sabha currently have?
- A250
- B500
- C543
- D552
Explanation
The Lok Sabha currently has 543 elected members, chosen directly by the people; the constitutional maximum limit is 552.
Question 2
How are members of the Rajya Sabha elected?
- Aजनता द्वारा प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचन से
- Bराज्य विधानसभाओं के सदस्यों द्वारा अप्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचन से
- Cराष्ट्रपति द्वारा पूर्णतः मनोनयन से
- Dप्रधानमंत्री द्वारा चयन से
Explanation
Most Rajya Sabha members are chosen indirectly by the elected members of state legislative assemblies; in addition, 12 members are nominated by the President.
Question 3
What is the term of a Rajya Sabha member?
- A5 वर्ष
- B6 वर्ष
- C4 वर्ष
- Dआजीवन
Explanation
Each Rajya Sabha member's term is 6 years, while the House itself is permanent, with about one-third of members retiring every 2 years.
Question 4
In which house is a Money Bill first introduced?
- Aराज्यसभा
- Bलोकसभा
- Cकिसी भी सदन में
- Dराष्ट्रपति के पास
Explanation
A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only return it with recommendations within 14 days, it cannot reject it.
Question 5
Which of the following subjects belongs to the State List?
- Aरक्षा
- Bरेलवे
- Cपुलिस
- Dमुद्रा
Explanation
Police and public order are State List subjects, on which only the state legislature can make laws; defence, railways and currency are Union List subjects.
Question 6
If there is a conflict between a parliamentary law and a state law on a Concurrent List subject, which law prevails?
- Aराज्य का कानून
- Bसंसद का कानून
- Cदोनों साथ लागू रहेंगे
- Dराष्ट्रपति तय करेंगे
Explanation
On a Concurrent List subject, both Parliament and a state legislature can make laws, but in case of a conflict, the law made by Parliament prevails (Article 254).
Question 7
How many members are nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President?
- A2
- B10
- C12
- D15
Explanation
The President nominates 12 people with special knowledge in literature, science, art and social service to the Rajya Sabha.
Question 8
What is the minimum age to become a member of the Lok Sabha?
- A18 वर्ष
- B21 वर्ष
- C25 वर्ष
- D30 वर्ष
Explanation
The minimum age to become a Lok Sabha member is 25 years, while the minimum age for Rajya Sabha membership is set at 30 years.
Question 9
A teacher forms a 'Bal Sansad' (student parliament) in Class 8, has students elect representatives, and vote on proposals. This activity is mainly useful for explaining which concept?
- Aगणित के सूत्र
- Bप्रजातांत्रिक निर्णय-प्रक्रिया व बहुमत
- Cविज्ञान प्रयोग
- Dभूगोल का मानचित्र-कौशल
Explanation
Activities like a 'child Parliament' teach children the democratic process of electing representatives, debating proposals and deciding by majority through experience — this is the practical way of teaching about Parliament.
Question 10
Who presides over a joint sitting of both houses in case of disagreement over an ordinary bill?
- Aराष्ट्रपति
- Bउपराष्ट्रपति
- Cलोकसभा अध्यक्ष
- Dप्रधानमंत्री
Explanation
When there is disagreement on an ordinary bill between the two Houses, the President summons a joint sitting, but it is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not the President themself.
Frequently asked questions
How many REET questions come from Parliament?+
REET 2024 carried 1 question from this topic; Parliament and the legislative lists come up in the Civics section almost every year.
How many members does the Lok Sabha have in total?+
The Lok Sabha currently has 543 elected members; the maximum constitutional limit is 552.
Why is the Rajya Sabha called a 'permanent House'?+
The Rajya Sabha is never fully dissolved — about one-third of its members retire every 2 years and new members join, which is why it is called a Permanent House.
Where does a Money Bill originate?+
A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only send it back with recommendations within 14 days, it cannot reject it.
Who can make laws on currency?+
Currency and banking are Union List subjects, so only Parliament can make laws on them, not a state legislature.
How many sessions does Parliament have, and what is a quorum?+
Parliament generally has three sessions — the Budget, Monsoon and Winter sessions. Quorum is one-tenth of a House's total membership, the minimum attendance required to conduct a sitting.
How does an ordinary bill become law?+
A bill first goes through the First, Second and Third readings in one House, then the same process is repeated in the other House, and finally, once the President gives assent, it becomes a law (Act).
Who elects the Speaker of the Lok Sabha?+
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves; they conduct the proceedings of the House and also preside over joint sittings.
Voting on Demands for Grants takes place only in which House?+
Voting on Demands for Grants takes place only in the Lok Sabha, since it is directly linked to government expenditure, a financial matter; the Rajya Sabha can only discuss it, not vote.
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Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked