India's Parliament consists of two houses — the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) — and the President of India, who gives formal assent to bills. Parliament's three functions are: making laws, approving the government's budget, and holding the executive accountable through debates and questions.
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
How a Bill Becomes a Law
The 7-Step Journey of a Bill
Introduction
Any MP (or minister) introduces the bill in either house. Government bills usually introduced in Lok Sabha.
Referred to Committee
Most bills go to a Standing Committee of Parliament, which takes public evidence and expert testimony.
Committee Report
Committee returns a report with amendments. Parliament debates its recommendations.
Second Reading (Debate)
Full house debate, clause-by-clause consideration, amendments voted on.
Third Reading (Vote)
Final vote on the complete bill. Simple majority needed for ordinary bills; two-thirds for Constitution amendments.
Other House
The bill must pass the same process in the other house. Disagreement goes to a joint sitting.
Presidential Assent
President signs the bill into law (or can return it once for reconsideration — but must sign if Parliament re-passes).
Parliament — Key Facts
- Lok Sabha: 543 seats, 5-year term, directly elected
- Rajya Sabha: 245 seats, 6-year staggered term, indirectly elected
- 3 sessions per year: Budget (Feb–May), Monsoon (Jul–Aug), Winter (Nov–Dec)
- Question Hour: 11am–12pm — MPs question ministers
- Zero Hour: 12pm onwards — urgent matters without advance notice
- Quorum: 10% of total members required for a valid sitting
Sansad TV streams all parliamentary proceedings free at sansad.in. PRS Legislative Research (prsindia.org) publishes plain-language bill summaries, attendance records, and participation statistics for every MP.
543
Lok Sabha seats
245
Rajya Sabha seats
3
Sessions per year
~50%
Bills actually sent to committee (FY26)
Which type of bill can ONLY be introduced in Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha can only suggest (not block) amendments?
Priya Sharma
Political Correspondent