Quick Revision Notes: Class 11 Political Science

Chapter: Legislature (विधायिका)

Definition: The legislature is not just a law-making body; it is the center of all democratic political processes. It is the popular house of representatives that holds the power to enact laws and control the government.
Significance: In a democracy, the legislature ensures accountability of the executive, represents the diverse voices of citizens, and controls the public purse (finances).

Representative Democracy: Citizens cannot govern directly; hence, they elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.
Functions of Parliament beyond Law-Making:
1. Deliberation: Provides a platform for open discussion and debate on national issues.
2. Legislation: Passes laws for the country.
3. Control over Executive: Keeps a check on the government's actions and spending.
4. Financial Control: Approves the budget and taxation policies.
5. Constitutional & Electoral Functions: Can amend the Constitution and conducts elections for the President and Vice-President.

Meaning: A legislature with two houses (Chambers).
Types of Houses:
- Lower House / Popular House (लोक सभा / First Chamber): Directly elected by the people. Represents the nation as a whole.
- Upper House / Second Chamber (राज्य सभा / Council of States): Usually represents the states/regions of a federal country. Can be directly or indirectly elected.
Why does India have a Bicameral Legislature?
- To provide representation to all sections of society and geographical regions.
- To ensure double-check on every legislation (to prevent hasty law-making).

The Parliament consists of the President and two Houses:

Feature	Rajya Sabha (Upper House)	Lok Sabha (Lower House)
Total Strength	Not more than 250 members	Not more than 543 members
Method of Election	Indirectly elected (by MLAs of State Legislative Assemblies)	Directly elected by the Indian citizens (Universal Adult Franchise)
Term	Permanent body (Not subject to dissolution). Members have a 6-year term (1/3rd retire every 2 years).	5 years (can be dissolved earlier by the President on PM's advice).
Minimum Age	30 years	25 years
Special Powers	Can pass a resolution empowering Parliament to make laws on a State List subject (Article 249).	Money Bills can only be introduced here; controls the Council of Ministers (No-Confidence Motion).

Legislative Powers: Makes laws on subjects mentioned in the Union List and Concurrent List. (Can also make laws on State List under special circumstances).
Executive Control: The Executive (Council of Ministers/Cabinet) is responsible to the Lok Sabha. Parliament uses instruments like Question Hour, Zero Hour, Calling Attention Motions, and No-Confidence Motions to control the executive.
Financial Powers: No tax can be levied and no expenditure can be incurred without the approval of Parliament (Budget approval).
Constitutional Amendment Power: Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution (Article 368) by special/simple majorities.
Judicial/Impeachment Powers: Can impeach the President, Vice-President, and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Question Hour (प्रश्नकाल): The first hour of a sitting session where MPs ask questions to ministers regarding government policies and administration.
Zero Hour (शून्यकाल): The time immediately following the Question Hour where members can raise urgent matters without prior notice.
No-Confidence Motion (अविश्वास प्रस्ताव): If passed by the Lok Sabha, the government must resign as it has lost majority support.

The step-by-step legislative procedure:

Introduction of Bill: A Bill can be introduced in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha (except Money Bills). It can be a Private Member's Bill or a Government Bill.
Committee Stage: The bill is referred to a Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny.
Voting Stage: Clauses of the bill are debated and voted upon clause-by-clause.
Second House: Once passed in one house, it goes to the second house where the same procedure is repeated.
President's Assent: After being passed by both houses, the bill is sent to the President. Once the President signs it, the bill becomes an Act (Law).

Expertise: Parliament has limited time. Committees provide depth, specialized study, and non-partisan scrutiny of complex bills and financial budgets.
Types of Committees: Standing Committees (स्थाई समितियाँ) and Ad-hoc Committees (तदर्थ समितियाँ).

Bicameral Legislature: A legislature with two houses (द्वisadniya विधायिका).
Unicameral Legislature: A legislature with a single house (एकसदनीय विधायिका).
Universal Adult Franchise: Right of all adult citizens to vote (सार्वभौमिक वयस्क मताधिकार).
Defection (दल-बदल): Changing political parties after getting elected on one party's ticket. (Anti-Defection Law / दल-बदल विरोधी कानून prevents this).
Session (सत्र): Period during which the House meets to conduct business (e.g., Budget Session, Monsoon Session, Winter Session).