How the Indian Parliament Works: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Law-Making

India's Parliament is central to national law-making and democratic accountability. This guide explains the two Houses, parliamentary debate and the broad process through which bills become laws.

The two Houses

Parliament consists of the President and two Houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha represents citizens through directly elected members, while the Rajya Sabha provides representation to the states and union territories within the constitutional system.

Lok Sabha

Members of the Lok Sabha are elected from parliamentary constituencies. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, giving the House a central role in determining whether the Union government retains the confidence of the elected majority.

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha is the permanent House. Members are primarily elected by elected members of state legislative assemblies through the constitutional electoral system. Its continuing presence gives states an institutional voice in national legislation.

How a bill becomes a law

A bill is introduced and considered according to parliamentary procedure. Depending on its type, different constitutional rules apply. Where passage by both Houses is required, the bill must clear the prescribed stages before it is presented to the President for assent.

Parliamentary oversight

Parliament does more than pass laws. Debates, questions, committees, financial scrutiny and discussions of public policy provide mechanisms through which elected representatives examine government action and raise issues of public importance.