Founded on 26 January 1950, the Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of India, and it comprises the President and two houses, which are Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha, known as the Council of States.
The Parliament of India is the highest law-making body in the nation. The Parliament consists of elected representatives who come together to discuss important issues, develop laws and ensure that the government functions in the best interest of the public. India’s Parliament has two houses, which are the Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha, known as the Council of States. Each house has its own responsibilities, but they work together to pass laws and maintain balance in governance. The Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people, while the members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by State Legislative Assemblies.
The Parliament of India holds the authority to create laws, control the national finances and hold the executive accountable for their administrative actions. However, only the Lok Sabha has the power to introduce money bills, while the Rajya Sabha can only delay it for 14 days. The members of the Parliament debate policies, raise concerns of citizens and amend the constitution if needed. In the Parliament of India, the Lok Sabha has 543 seats with a maximum capacity of 550 seats, whereas the Rajya Sabha has 254 members, of which 233 members are elected, and 12 members are nominated by the President.
What is the Parliament of India?
Founded on 26 January 1950, the Parliament of India is also known as the Sansad in the country. It is the supreme legislative body of India, and it comprises the President and two houses, which are the Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha, known as the Council of States. The Parliament of India is responsible for making laws on Union and Concurrent list subjects, passing the Union Budget, maintaining financial control and holding the executive accountable for their administrative actions.
History of Parliament of India
The Parliament of India was established in 1950 after independence, and it evolved from the British-era Imperial Legislative Council to the highest legislative body of India. It operates as a bicameral legislature due to the presence of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, based on the Westminster model. In 2023, a new building was introduced to meet the growing demands of India’s democracy. Let’s take a look at the history of Parliament of India: -
1. British Era (1861-1947)
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 created the Imperial Legislative Council. It provides the first steps towards a legislative body in India. The first legislative body later became a bicameral legislature and was introduced in 1919.
2. The Old Parliament Building (1927-2023)
The old Parliament building was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The building is now called Samvidhan Sadan and was constructed between 1921 and 1927 to serve as the Council House.
3. Constituent Assembly (1946-1950)
The Constituent Assembly met on 9 December 1946 to draft the Preamble of Indian Constitution and became a sovereign body for independent India on 15 August 1947. This gave rise to the first legislative body of independent India.
4. Transition to Republic (1950)
Upon the Constitution taking effect on 26 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly became the Provisional Parliament. Since then, it has served as the apex law-making body in the country, which is responsible for working in the best interest of the people.
5. First General Elections (1951-52)
The first elected Parliament of India met on 13 May 1952 with GV Mavalankar as the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The election was conducted in 68 phases due to India's vast geography and challenging logistics.
6. New Parliament Building (2023)
A new and modern Parliament building was inaugurated on 28 May 2023. It was designed to handle the growing needs of India's democracy. The Lok Sabha is based on the theme of the peacock representing the national bird, while the Rajya Sabha is based on the theme of the Lotus representing the national flower.
Structure of Parliament of India
The Indian Parliament consists of the President of India, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha represents states, while the Lok Sabha represents the people directly. Let’s take a look at the structure of the Parliament of India:-
1. President
Although the President is not a member of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, they serve as an integral part of the Parliament because no bill can become law without their assent. Currently, the President of India is Smt. Draupadi Murmu.
2. Rajya Sabha
Established on April 3, 1952, the Rajya Sabha is also known as the Upper House, the House of Elders or Council of States. The Rajya Sabha represents states and union territories and has a maximum strength of 250, with 238 elected members and 12 nominated by the President. As of September 12, 2025, C.P. Radhakrishnan holds the position of current Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in his role as the ex officio Speaker. C.P. Radhakrishnan is serving as the 15th Vice-President of India and presides over the functioning of the Upper House of Parliament. Harivansh Narayan Singh serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
3. Lok Sabha
Established on April 17, 1952, Lok Sabha is also known as the Lower House, the popular house and the house of people. Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people, and it has a maximum strength of 550, with 530 members from states and 20 from Union Territories. Om Birla is the current and 17th Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, having held the position since 19 June 2019 and re-elected on 26 June 2024
Parliament of India Total Members
The Parliament of India has a total strength of 800 members, including the members of both houses. The Lok Sabha has 543 elected members, and the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has 245 members. The 18th Lok Sabha of 2024-2029 has 543 directly elected representatives, the Rajya Sabha has 233 elected members and 12 members nominated by the President. Let’s take a look at the total members of the Parliament of India: -
- Total Capacity: As per parliamentary data, the total capacity currently is 800.
- Lok Sabha: Currently, Lok Sabha has 543 elected members and has a maximum strength of 550 in Lok Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha: Currently Rajya Sabha has 245 members. This includes 233 elected by state legislative assemblies and 12 members nominated by the President.
Roles and Functions of Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is responsible for enacting & amending laws, holding the executive accountable, controlling finances, discussing issues of national importance, serving judicial purposes in case of removal of a judge and amending the Constitution if needed. Let’s take a look at the roles and functions of the Parliament of India: -
1. Legislative Functions
The Parliament of India enacts laws on the subjects mentioned in the Union & Concurrent list, such as defense, banking and education. It can also make laws on the State list in case the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution in the national interest or during a national emergency.
2. Executive Accountability
The Parliament of India exercises control over the Council of Ministers through questions, Zero Hour, calling attention motions and no-confidence motions. The members of the Parliament raise questions on government actions and policies, forcing ministers to answer.
3. Representative and Deliberative Function
The Parliament acts as the premier forum for debating national policies, public grievances, and international relations. It also serves as a platform for MPs to raise issues of public concern and local grievances of their constituents.
4. Financial Control
The Parliament authorizes taxation and public expenditure through the passing of the Annual Budget or Union Budget and oversees spending via parliamentary committees. The Lok Sabha is responsible for passing the Annual Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill.
5. Constituent Functions
The Parliament of India has the power to amend the Constitution and alter the boundaries or names of Indian states. However, the amendments should not violate the basic structure of the Constitution, and the bill should be introduced by a member of either house.
6. Judicial and Electoral Functions
The Parliament participates in electing the President and the Vice President. It also handles impeachment of the President, removal of the judges of the Supreme Court of India and High Courts, along with other key officials.
Conclusion
The Parliament of India is the supreme law-making body in the nation. The Parliament consists of elected members who discuss important issues to generate solutions in the best interest of the people. The body is responsible for holding the executive accountable for their administrative actions, controlling finances, passing monetary bills and amending the Constitution if needed. The legislative body consists of the President and two houses, known as the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Parliament of India has a total strength of 800 members, including the members of both houses. Lok Sabha has 543 elected members in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has 245 members.