Isabella Carter
The Indian Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with the President of India as their head, was first constituted on 17 April 1952, after India's first general election. The Indian Parliament is the primary institution responsible for lawmaking and possesses a wide array of powers that form the backbone of the country's democratic governance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first constitution | 17 April 1952 |
| First general election | 1952 |
| First session | 13 May 1952 |
| Total Lok Sabha seats | 489 |
| Total eligible voters | 17.3 crores |
| Party with most seats | Indian National Congress (364) |
| Percentage of votes for INC | 45% |
| Percentage of seats for INC | 76% |
| New Parliament building inauguration | 28 May 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
The First Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952
The Indian Parliament is made up of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha, or the House of the People, is the lower house of the Parliament of India. The first Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952, following India's first general election, which was held from 25 October 1951 to 21 February 1952.
The first Lok Sabha served its full term of five years and was dissolved on 4 April 1957. The first session of this Lok Sabha commenced on 13 May 1952. There were 489 seats, for which 53 political parties contested. The total number of eligible voters was 17.3 crore, with a 45% turnout. The Indian National Congress (INC) won the election, securing 364 seats, which was four times as many votes as the second-largest party, the Communist Party of India (CPI), which won 16 seats. The second-highest number of seats was won by independents, with 37 seats.
The first Speaker of the Lok Sabha was Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, who served from 15 May 1952 to 27 February 1956. The first Deputy Speaker was Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, who served from 30 May 1952 to 7 March 1956. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected Prime Minister and 'Leader of the House'.
The Lok Sabha is currently made up of 543 members, who are directly elected by Indian citizens on the basis of universal adult suffrage. Members represent parliamentary constituencies across the country and hold their seats for five years or until the body is dissolved by the President of India.
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The Indian Parliament consists of two houses
The Indian Parliament, the supreme legislative body of India, consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The President of India, elected by the members of the Parliament of India and state Legislative Assemblies, acts as their head. The President is responsible for ensuring that the laws passed by the Parliament adhere to the relevant constitutional provisions and that the stipulated procedures are followed before granting approval to bills. The President also has the power to summon, prorogue or dissolve either house of Parliament.
The Lok Sabha, or the lower house, has 543 members, though this number can be as high as 550. Members are directly elected by citizens of India on the basis of universal adult franchise, representing parliamentary constituencies across the country. The total number of seats for each state is based on the state's population. The Lok Sabha has a term of five years, though this can be extended by Parliament during a proclamation of emergency.
The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, has 245 members, though some sources state this number to be 250. Members are elected indirectly by members of legislative assemblies of the states and representatives of Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha can make recommendations on bills to the House within 14 days, but it does not have the power to pass or block them.
The Parliament of India represents the largest democratic electorate in the world, with 968 million eligible voters in 2024. It is responsible for lawmaking, amending the Constitution, and holding exclusive authority over matters not covered by the Union or State Lists. It also plays a vital role in the formulation and approval of the Union Budget.
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The Central Legislative Assembly was dissolved in 1947
The Indian Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, is the primary institution responsible for lawmaking in India. The Indian Parliament was first constituted on April 17, 1952, after India's first general election.
The Central Legislative Assembly was dissolved on August 14, 1947, as India gained independence. The Assembly was the lower chamber of a central Indian parliament based in Delhi, with two chambers, both containing elected and appointed members. The Assembly increased in size to 250 seats for members elected by the constituencies of British India, and 125 seats for the Indian Princely states. The Central Legislative Assembly met in the Council Hall and later in the Viceregal Lodge in Old Delhi. The building is now part of Delhi University.
The Central Legislative Assembly was replaced by the Constituent Assembly of India, which became the central legislature of India. The Constituent Assembly of India was tasked with writing the Constitution of India. The Indian Constitution was framed in the Central Hall, which consists of the chambers of the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, and the library hall. The Constituent Assembly of India was elected in 1950, and the First Lok Sabha was constituted on April 17, 1952. The First Lok Sabha lasted for five years and was dissolved on April 4, 1957.
The Parliament of India represents the largest democratic electorate in the world, with 968 million eligible voters in 2024. The Parliament meets at Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi and has a sanctioned strength of 543 in the Lok Sabha and 245 in the Rajya Sabha. The President of India is the head of the Indian Parliament and is responsible for ensuring that laws passed by the Parliament adhere to the Constitution.
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The President of India is a component of Parliament
The Indian Parliament consists of two houses, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with the President of India acting as their head. The President of India is a component of Parliament as outlined in Article 79 of the Constitution.
The President of India is elected by the elected members of the Parliament of India and the state Legislative Assemblies and serves for a term of five years. The President's primary duty is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law of India, as outlined in Article 60 of the Indian Constitution. This includes ensuring that laws passed by Parliament adhere to the relevant constitutional provisions and that the stipulated procedures are followed before granting approval to bills.
The President's role in the legislative process is crucial. Under Article 111, the President has the power to approve or withhold assent to bills passed by Parliament. The President can also promulgate ordinances, which have the same force as acts passed by Parliament, when immediate action is required and Parliament is not in session. Additionally, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and other judges, as well as the Attorney-General, who is the government's chief legal adviser.
The President also has a role in convening and proroguing Parliament. As per Article 93, the President can summon each house of Parliament to meet, ensuring that there is no more than a six-month gap between sessions. This means that Parliament must meet at least twice a year, and in practice, it conducts three sessions annually. The President also plays a role in the formulation and approval of the Union Budget, which is discussed and passed during the Budget Session of Parliament.
In conclusion, the President of India is an integral component of Parliament, with responsibilities outlined in various articles of the Constitution. The President's role includes upholding the Constitution, approving legislation, and convening Parliament, all of which contribute to the country's democratic governance.
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The new Parliament building was inaugurated in 2023
The Indian Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, was first constituted on 17 April 1952, after India's first general election.
The New Parliament Building
In 2019, the Indian government launched the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which included the construction of a new parliament building in New Delhi. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 December 2020. The new building, with its distinctive triangular shape, offers a built-up area of approximately 65,000 square metres, optimally utilising space. It features an expanded Lok Sabha Hall, accommodating up to 888 seats, and a larger Rajya Sabha Hall, seating up to 384 members. The Lok Sabha Hall draws inspiration from India's national bird, the peacock, while the Rajya Sabha Hall reflects the lotus, India's national flower. Additionally, the new building includes a state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall, symbolically placing Indian citizens at the heart of democracy.
The new Parliament building was inaugurated on 28 May 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremonies commenced in the morning, with Modi unveiling a plaque dedicating the building to the nation. As part of the inauguration, Modi, dressed in traditional attire, carried the ceremonial sceptre 'Sengol' in a procession before installing it near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker. The event was attended by leaders of around 25 parties, including BJP MPs, ministers, and chief ministers, while at least 19 opposition parties boycotted the inauguration. The first session in the New Parliament took place on 19 September 2023, with more than 300 members of Parliament in attendance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Parliament was first constituted on 17 April 1952, after India's first general election.
The Indian Parliament consists of two houses, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with the President of India acting as their head.
The President of India is responsible for ensuring that the laws passed by the Parliament adhere to the relevant constitutional provisions. The President also needs to approve bills, which become laws once they receive the President's assent.
The Lok Sabha, or the lower house, has 543 members who are directly elected by Indian citizens. The Rajya Sabha, or the upper house, has 245 members, including 12 nominees from different fields such as literature, art, science, and social service.
