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Question 1: Choose the appropriate option.

a) The ______ sanctions and passes the budget.

• i) President
• ii) Prime Minister
• iii) Lok Sabha
• iv) Rajya Sabha
• Answer: iii) Lok Sabha

b) Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of ______ years.

• i) eighteen
• ii) four
• iii) five
• iv) six
• Answer: iv) six

c) The ______ has constitutional and ceremonial powers.

• i) Prime Minister
• ii) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• iii) President
• iv) Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
• Answer: iii) President

Question 2: Name the following.

a) The three branches of a parliamentary form of government.

• Answer: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

b) The Constitutional Head of the Union legislature.

• Answer: The President.

c) The ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

• Answer: The Vice President of India.

d) The Act that regulates the payment to workers in various industries.

• Answer: The Payment of Wages Act.

e) The House of Parliament that has the power to introduce money bills.

• Answer: The Lok Sabha.

Question 3: Match the following.

Column A	Column B
a) Lok Sabha	i) Presides over the Rajya Sabha
b) Rajya Sabha	ii) Presides over the Lok Sabha
c) Speaker	iii) House of the People
d) Vice President	iv) Council of States

Column A	Column B
a) Lok Sabha	iii) House of the People
b) Rajya Sabha	iv) Council of States
c) Speaker	ii) Presides over the Lok Sabha
d) Vice President	i) Presides over the Rajya Sabha

Question 4: Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words.

a) Who makes laws on all subjects mentioned in the Union and Concurrent lists?

The Parliament of India, which is the supreme legislative body of the country, holds the authority to make laws on all subjects listed in the Union List and the Concurrent List. The Union List contains subjects of national importance like defense and foreign affairs, on which only Parliament can legislate. The Concurrent List includes subjects like education and marriage where both Parliament and State Legislatures can make laws, but a central law will prevail in case of a conflict.

b) What are the qualifications required to be a member of the Lok Sabha?

To become a member of the Lok Sabha, a person must fulfill several key qualifications. Firstly, they must be a citizen of India. Secondly, they must be at least 25 years of age. Thirdly, they must be registered as a voter in any parliamentary constituency within India. Additionally, they should not be proclaimed insolvent or of unsound mind, and must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India to ensure independence and commitment to their legislative duties.

c) What are the electoral powers of the Lok Sabha?

The Lok Sabha possesses significant electoral powers within India’s political framework. Most importantly, it plays a direct role in forming the government by participating in the election of the Prime Minister. Furthermore, the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Lok Sabha, along with State Assemblies, form the electoral college that elects the President of India. They also, together with Rajya Sabha MPs, elect the Vice President. The Lok Sabha also elects its own presiding officer, the Speaker, from among its members.

d) How are the members of the Rajya Sabha elected?

The members of the Rajya Sabha are not directly elected by the general public. Instead, they are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the various states and union territories using a system of proportional representation. This indirect election process is designed to represent the states themselves, ensuring a federal character in the Parliament. Members serve a six-year term, with one-third of the members retiring every two years, which provides the house with continuity and stability.

e) Write any one common function of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

One fundamental common function of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha is their shared power in the ordinary legislative process. For any non-money bill to become a law, it must be passed by both houses. Both houses have the authority to discuss, debate, propose amendments, and vote on the bill. This ensures that legislation is thoroughly scrutinized from different perspectives—the Lok Sabha representing the people’s will and the Rajya Sabha providing the states’ wisdom—before it is enacted.

Question 5: Answer the questions in 50 to 70 words.

a) How does a bill become a law?

A bill becomes a law in India through a detailed process involving both houses of Parliament and the President. It begins with its introduction in either house (except Money Bills, which start in the Lok Sabha). This is followed by three readings in each house, involving debates, committee scrutiny, and voting. Once passed by one house, the bill is sent to the other. If both houses pass it, the bill is presented to the President for assent. The President may give assent, withhold it, or return the bill for reconsideration. Upon the President’s final assent, the bill is officially enacted as an Act of Parliament, or law.

b) Mention three differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Three key differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are their composition, power, and tenure. Firstly, the Lok Sabha is the directly elected house representing the people, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected, representing the states. Secondly, regarding power, the Lok Sabha holds supreme authority in financial matters, as only it can introduce a Money Bill. The Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments. Thirdly, their tenure differs; the Lok Sabha has a fixed term of 5 years, but can be dissolved earlier. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house not subject to dissolution, with members serving staggered 6-year terms.

c) Write a brief note on the Payment of Wages Act.

The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, is a pivotal social welfare legislation designed to protect industrial and other specified workers from exploitation regarding their earnings. Its primary objective is to ensure that employees receive their wages on time and without any illegal deductions. The Act mandates employers to pay wages before a fixed date and restricts deductions to those explicitly permitted by law, such as for fines, absence, or advances. This law plays a crucial role in safeguarding the income security of workers, promoting fair labour practices, and contributing to their overall economic well-being and dignity.

d) Elaborate on the legislative powers of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

The legislative powers of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are largely co-equal for ordinary bills, which must be passed by both houses to become law. However, a critical distinction lies in financial legislation. The Lok Sabha has supreme power in this domain, as it alone can introduce Money Bills. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject. Furthermore, in a deadlock over an ordinary bill, the Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both houses, where the numerical superiority of the Lok Sabha usually decides the outcome.

e) Describe the composition of the Indian Parliament.

The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislature, meaning it is composed of two houses. The first is the Lok Sabha (House of the People), which is the lower house. Its members are directly elected by the eligible voters of India, making it a representative body of the citizenry. The second is the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the upper house, whose members are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, representing the states and union territories. Completing this structure is the President of India, who is an integral part of Parliament, as their assent is mandatory for any bill to become an act.

Question 6: We know that India has a parliamentary form of government. Do you think that any other form of government is better suited to Indian culture and its people? Give reasons to support your answer.

• Answer: The parliamentary form of government remains the most suitable system for India’s diverse culture and people. Its core feature, a direct link between the executive and the legislature, ensures that the ruling government is accountable to the people’s representatives in the Lok Sabha. This fosters consensus-building, which is essential in a multi-party, multi-cultural nation like India. A presidential system, in contrast, could lead to rigid divisions between the executive and legislature, potentially creating deadlocks in governance. India’s parliamentary democracy, despite its challenges, has successfully accommodated immense diversity and ensured political stability, making it well-suited for the country.