Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Introduction

The Lok Sabha, also called the House of the People, is the lower house of the Parliament of India. It represents the people of India and is directly elected by adult citizens. It plays a vital role in legislation, government formation, and checking the executive.

Composition and Term

• Total Seats: Maximum 552 members.
• Current Strength: 543 elected members (as per latest delimitation).
• Allocation: Seats allocated to states and Union Territories based on population.
• Members: Elected directly by people on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
• President Nominations: Up to 2 members can be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (this provision has been abolished by the 104th Amendment Act, 2020).
• Term: 5 years unless dissolved earlier.

Seat Distribution Among States and Union Territories

The seats in Lok Sabha are allocated to each state and union territory based on population according to the last census. Below is the detailed table showing seats per state/UT:

Functions of Lok Sabha

• Legislative Function: Law-making by passing bills.
• Financial Control: Money bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha; it controls government expenditure.
• Executive Control: Holds the Council of Ministers accountable through motions, questions, debates.
• Electoral Function: Elects the President and Vice-President in an electoral college.
• Constituent Function: Can amend the Constitution.
• Judicial Function: Can impeach the President, remove judges, and other constitutional authorities.

Powers of Lok Sabha

• Control over Council of Ministers: Lok Sabha exercises collective responsibility.
• Money Bills: Lok Sabha has overriding powers in money bills.
• Vote of No-Confidence: Lok Sabha can remove the government.
• Approval of Ordinances: Lok Sabha must approve ordinances within six weeks.
• Constitutional Amendments: Can initiate and pass constitutional amendments.

Term and Dissolution

• Normal term: 5 years from the date of its first meeting.
• Can be dissolved earlier by the President on advice of the Prime Minister.
• During Emergency, term can be extended up to 1 year at a time by Parliament.

Previous Year Questions

• UPSC 2019: How are members of the Lok Sabha elected?
• Members of Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people through universal adult suffrage by the first-past-the-post system.
• SSC CGL 2020: What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?
• The maximum strength is 552 members.
• RRB NTPC 2018: Which article of the Constitution deals with the composition of Lok Sabha?
• Article 81.
• HSSC 2021: How many members can be nominated by the President to the Lok Sabha?
• Up to 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community, but this provision has been abolished by the 104th Amendment Act, 2020.
• SSC JE 2017: What is the term of the Lok Sabha?
• Five years unless dissolved earlier.
• UPSC 2020: Which house of Parliament has the exclusive right to pass money bills?
• Lok Sabha.
• RRB Group D 2019: Can Lok Sabha be dissolved before its term?
• Yes, by the President on advice of the Prime Minister.
• SSC MTS 2018: What is a vote of no-confidence?
• It is a motion passed by Lok Sabha to remove the Council of Ministers.
• HPSC 2022: Who presides over the Lok Sabha sessions?
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• UPSC 2021: Explain the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Lok Sabha is directly elected, represents the people, has more powers on money bills, and has a 5-year term; Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by state legislatures, represents states, has permanent membership (not dissolvable), and shares legislative powers.
• SSC GD 2019: What is the quorum to conduct Lok Sabha proceedings?
• One-tenth of the total members of the house.
• HSSC 2019: What is the minimum age for a person to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha?
• 25 years.
• SSC CHSL 2020: Who decides the allocation of seats to states in Lok Sabha?
• Delimitation Commission based on population.
• UPSC 2018: What is the importance of the Speaker in Lok Sabha?
• The Speaker presides over sessions, maintains discipline, and ensures smooth functioning of the house.
• RRB NTPC 2020: What happens to the bills passed by Lok Sabha?
• Bills are sent to Rajya Sabha for approval (except money bills), and then to the President for assent.

Conclusion

The Lok Sabha is the most powerful house in the Indian Parliament with significant legislative, financial, and executive control powers. It represents the will of the people and is the foundation of India's parliamentary democracy.