Chapter 6: The Parliamentary System – Legislature and Executive

NCERT Questions & Answers

Q1. Find out how many representatives from your state are in each House of the Parliament.
Answer:
The number of representatives from each state in the Lok Sabha depends on its population. For example:

Uttar Pradesh has the maximum with 80 Lok Sabha MPs.
Smaller states like Sikkim, Nagaland, and Mizoram have 1 Lok Sabha MP each.
In the Rajya Sabha, representation is also based on population. For example, Uttar Pradesh sends 31 members, while smaller states like Goa send 1 member.
(Students must check their own state’s Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha representation for the most accurate number.)

Q2. What makes the Indian Parliament the “voice of the people”? How does it ensure that different opinions are heard?
Answer:
The Indian Parliament is called the “voice of the people” because it directly represents citizens through their elected members. Every citizen above 18 years votes to elect MPs, who then speak for them in Parliament. Different political parties, regional groups, and communities are represented. Parliamentary debates, Question Hour, and committees allow diverse opinions to be discussed before decisions are made. Reservation of seats for SCs and STs ensures even marginalised groups are heard. This inclusiveness makes Parliament a true reflection of India’s diversity.

Q3. Why do you think the Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature?
Answer:
The Executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is responsible to the Legislature (Lok Sabha) to ensure accountability. Since the Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, making the Executive answerable to it means the government must work according to the people’s will. Mechanisms like Question Hour, motions of no-confidence, and committee reports ensure that ministers explain and justify their actions. This prevents misuse of power and keeps democracy healthy.

Q4. Why do you think we have chosen the system of bicameral legislature at the Union level?
Answer:
India has a bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) to balance representation and ensure better law-making.

The Lok Sabha represents people directly.
The Rajya Sabha represents the states and ensures their interests are not ignored.
This system provides checks and balances, prevents hasty decisions, and reflects India’s federal structure. Two houses also allow for deeper debates and review of bills before they become law.

Q5. Track the journey of a recent bill passed by the Parliament.
Answer (example: Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023):

Introduced in the Lok Sabha on 19 September 2023.
Debated and passed in the Lok Sabha on 20 September 2023.
Debated and passed in the Rajya Sabha on 21 September 2023.
Sent to the President for assent and became law shortly after.
This bill reserved 33% of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The journey shows how bills are introduced, debated in both houses, and require presidential assent before becoming law.

Q6. Why might it have taken over 25 years for the Women’s Reservation Bill to be passed, despite wide support?
Answer:
The Women’s Reservation Bill was first introduced in 1996 but faced repeated delays due to:

Lack of consensus among political parties.
Debates about sub-reservation for women from OBC and minority communities.
Political hesitation, as many leaders feared losing their constituencies.
Only in 2023, after decades of discussions, was there enough agreement to pass it. This shows that even popular reforms take time because Parliament must balance many different interests.

Q7. Sometimes Parliament is disrupted and does not function for the number of days it is supposed to. What impact does this have?
Answer:
Disruptions reduce the productivity of Parliament. Important bills get delayed or passed without proper debate. People lose trust in their representatives, as time and taxpayer money are wasted. Healthy discussions, which are the essence of democracy, are lost. This weakens the quality of laws and prevents Parliament from being the true “voice of the people.”

Q8. What is the role that the Judiciary plays in Indian democracy? What could happen if we didn’t have an independent judiciary?
Answer:
The Judiciary interprets laws, protects Fundamental Rights, and checks the powers of the Legislature and Executive. It ensures that government actions follow the Constitution. Without an independent judiciary, there would be no safeguard against misuse of power, corruption, or violation of rights. Democracy would collapse into dictatorship.

Extra Short Answer Questions

What is a bicameral legislature?
→ A system with two houses, e.g., Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Who is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha?
→ The Speaker.
Who is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha?
→ The Vice President of India.
What is Question Hour?
→ The first hour of a Parliamentary session when MPs question ministers about government policies.
What is a Money Bill?
→ A bill related to taxation or government expenditure that can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

Extra Long Answer Questions

Q1. Explain the law-making process in the Indian Parliament.
Answer (150–170 words):
A law begins as a bill. It can be introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, except a Money Bill which can only start in the Lok Sabha.

The bill is introduced and goes through its first reading.
It is then debated and discussed clause by clause.
It may be referred to a standing committee for detailed study.
After discussion, it is put to vote.
If passed, the bill moves to the other House where the process is repeated.
After both houses pass it, the bill goes to the President for assent.
Once signed, it becomes a law and is published in the Gazette of India.

This process ensures thorough scrutiny, debate, and accountability, reflecting the democratic spirit of Parliament.

Q2. Compare the Legislature and the Executive in India.
Answer (150–160 words):
The Legislature (Parliament) makes laws, while the Executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) implements them.

Composition: The Legislature consists of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha. The Executive consists of the President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister.
Role: The Legislature debates, passes laws, and controls finances. The Executive runs the government, enforces laws, and prepares policies.
Accountability: The Executive is responsible to the Lok Sabha and must answer questions or face a no-confidence motion.
Checks: The Legislature monitors the Executive through Question Hour and committees, while the Executive introduces most bills.

Thus, while both are interconnected, the Legislature represents the people and checks the Executive, ensuring democratic balance.

Q3. What challenges does the Indian Parliament face today? Suggest measures to overcome them.
Answer (150–180 words):
Challenges include frequent disruptions, low productivity, absenteeism of MPs, and poor quality of debates. Many bills are rushed without proper discussion. Another challenge is the presence of MPs with criminal cases, which reduces public trust. Excessive influence of money and power in elections also affects representation.

Measures:

Strict rules against disruptions and stronger enforcement by the Speaker/Chairman.
Encouraging MPs to attend and participate in debates.
Ensuring pre-legislative consultations and referring more bills to committees.
Banning candidates with serious criminal charges.
Strengthening transparency and public involvement.

By tackling these issues, Parliament can truly become the voice of the people and a model of democratic governance.

MCQs

The Indian Parliament consists of:
(a) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha only
(b) President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
(c) President and Lok Sabha only
(d) Prime Minister, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
Answer: (b)
The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha is:
(a) Vice President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Speaker
(d) President
Answer: (c)
The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is:
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Vice President
(c) President
(d) Deputy Speaker
Answer: (b)
A Money Bill can be introduced only in:
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) Rajya Sabha
(c) Either House
(d) State Assembly
Answer: (a)
Who gives assent to bills passed by Parliament?
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Speaker
(c) President
(d) Chief Justice
Answer: (c)
Which article provides for Parliament?
(a) Article 50
(b) Article 79
(c) Article 100
(d) Article 356
Answer: (b)
The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is:
(a) 500
(b) 550
(c) 552
(d) 600
Answer: (c) 552
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is:
(a) 250
(b) 245
(c) 260
(d) 270
Answer: (a) 250
The term of Lok Sabha is:
(a) 4 years
(b) 5 years
(c) 6 years
(d) 3 years
Answer: (b)
The Rajya Sabha is also called:
(a) Upper House
(b) Permanent House
(c) House of States
(d) All of these
Answer: (d)

Fill in the Blanks

The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 552.
The Vice President of India is the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha sessions.
The Question Hour is the first hour of a Parliamentary session.
The President must give assent before a bill becomes law.
The Rajya Sabha represents the states of India.
Lal Bahadur Shastri resigned as Railway Minister in 1956, showing moral responsibility.
India’s Parliament is based on the British model.
The Judiciary ensures checks and balances in democracy.

True/False

The Lok Sabha is also called the House of the People. ✅
Rajya Sabha members are elected directly by the citizens. ❌
The President is the real executive authority of India. ❌
The Prime Minister is the de facto head of the Executive. ✅
Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. ❌
Money Bills can be introduced in either House. ❌
The Speaker presides over the Rajya Sabha. ❌
Judiciary protects the Constitution and citizens’ rights. ✅
Disruptions in Parliament increase its productivity. ❌
Question Hour ensures accountability of the Executive. ✅

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