Overview:

India is a democratic country with a parliamentary system of government. The Parliament of India consists of two houses - Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Both houses are an integral part of the legislative process, but they differ in their functions, composition, and powers.

Composition:

Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament, also known as the House of the People. It consists of 545 members, out of which 543 are elected from different constituencies, and two are nominated by the President of India from the Anglo-Indian community. The term of Lok Sabha is 5 years, but it can be dissolved earlier by the President.

Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament, also known as the Council of States. It consists of 245 members, out of which 233 are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies, and 12 are nominated by the President of India. The term of Rajya Sabha is 6 years, and one-third of its members retire every two years.

Functions:

Lok Sabha is responsible for making laws, approving the budget, and holding the government accountable. It has the power to initiate and pass bills related to taxation, budget, and foreign policy. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are accountable to Lok Sabha, and they have to answer its questions.

Rajya Sabha has the power to review and amend bills passed by Lok Sabha. It can also initiate bills related to any subject listed in the Union List. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved. It plays an important role in the federal system of India by representing the states and ensuring their participation in the decision-making process.

Powers:

Lok Sabha has more powers than Rajya Sabha, as it is directly elected by the people. It has the power to pass a vote of no confidence against the government, and it can also impeach the President of India. Lok Sabha has the final say in matters related to the budget and finance.

Rajya Sabha has limited powers compared to Lok Sabha. It cannot pass a vote of no confidence against the government, and it cannot initiate bills related to taxation and finance. However, it has the power to delay the passage of bills passed by Lok Sabha for up to six months.

Conclusion:

In summary, both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are important parts of the Indian parliamentary system. While Lok Sabha represents the people of India, Rajya Sabha represents the states and ensures their participation in the decision-making process. The composition, functions, and powers of both houses differ, but they work together to make laws and govern the country.

1. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body while Lok Sabha dissolves after every five years.
2. The speaker is the representative of Lok Sabha. On the other hand, the Vice-President of India is the representative of Rajya Sabha.
3. The maximum members in the Lok Sabha are 552 while they are only 250 in case of Rajya Sabha.