The Indian Parliament – Std 8 Civics Notes (Maharashtra Board)

Chapter 2: The Indian Parliament

Standard 8 · Civics · Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions

1. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct option.

(1) Candidates to the Lok Sabha are elected through ……….

  • (a) territorial constituencies
  • (b) religious constituencies
  • (c) local bodies
  • (d) proportional representation system

Ans: Option (a) – territorial constituencies

(2) India’s …………. is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

  • (a) President
  • (b) Vice-President
  • (c) Prime Minister
  • (d) Chief Justice

Ans: Option (b) – Vice-President

2. Find and write.

(1) Members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are known as ……………….

Ans: Members of Parliament (MPs)

(2) The responsibility of making laws lies with the …………….

Ans: Parliament (the Legislative Branch)

3. Explain the following statements with reasons.

(1) The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House.

  1. The tenure of all the members of the Rajya Sabha does not end at the same time.
  2. One-third of the total membership of the Rajya Sabha retires every two years, and an equal number of new members are elected.
  3. Because a limited number of members retire step by step, the House can function continuously.
  4. Since the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved completely, it is called a permanent House.

(2) The Lok Sabha is known as the first House.

  1. The Lok Sabha is the lower and first House of the Parliament of India.
  2. It is the House of Representatives, directly elected by the people.
  3. Hence, the Lok Sabha is known as the first House.

4. Answer the following in 25 to 30 words.

(1) How are the members of the Lok Sabha elected?

  1. As per the Constitution, the Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 552 members.
  2. General elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years, and members are directly elected by the people.
  3. To ensure equal representation for all sections of society, some seats are reserved for members belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  4. If the Anglo-Indian community has no representation, the President can nominate two members from this community to the Lok Sabha.
  5. Thus, the Lok Sabha is the representative body of the citizens of India.

Update: the 104th Constitutional Amendment (effective January 2020) ended the nomination of Anglo-Indian members, and the maximum strength is now 550. Points (i) and (iv) follow the textbook; check with your school’s current edition.

(2) Explain the functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Ans: The functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha are:

  1. To conduct the business of the House in an unbiased manner.
  2. To protect the rights and privileges of the members of the Lok Sabha.
  3. To interpret the rules of the daily functioning of the House and act accordingly.
  4. To maintain the decorum and dignity of the House.

5. Explain the steps involved in the law-making process.

Ans: A Bill goes through the following process to become a law (an Act).

1. First reading

  1. The minister of the concerned department or ministry, or a Member of Parliament, presents the Bill in the House.
  2. The objectives and the structure of the Bill are stated.

2. Second reading

  1. The positive and negative points of the Bill are discussed.
  2. The defects and faults in the Bill are highlighted.
  3. After the defects and faults are removed, the Bill is put to vote.

3. Committee stage

  1. If required, the Bill is sent to a committee of the House.
  2. The Bill is discussed in detail in the committee.
  3. The committee’s report, containing instructions and recommendations, is sent to the House.
  4. The Bill is discussed clause by clause, and then voting takes place.

4. Third reading

  1. The Bill is discussed once again in the House.
  2. Voting is held to approve the Bill.

5. Approval of the other House

  1. The Bill has to go through the same procedure in the other House.
  2. The Bill is approved by a majority.

6. Assent by the President

  1. After approval by both Houses, the Bill is sent to the President for assent.
  2. After the President gives final assent and signs it, the Bill becomes a law.
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