Introduction to Parliament of India for RRB Exams
The Parliament of India (Bhartiya Sansad) is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. For aspirants preparing for competitive examinations conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), such as RRB NTPC, RRB Group D, and RRB Technician, Indian Polity forms a major chunk of the General Awareness section. Within Indian Polity, the topics related to the structure, functions, articles, and procedures of the Union Legislature are consistently asked.
According to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the President of India and two Houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). Understanding the bicameral system, qualifications, tenure, sessions, and legislative procedures is essential to scoring top marks in RRB exams.
Topic Weightage and Importance
In RRB exams, General Awareness carries a significant portion of the total marks (e.g., 40 out of 100 in RRB NTPC CBT-1, 50 out of 120 in CBT-2, and 20 out of 100 in RRB Group D). Indian Polity accounts for approximately 4 to 6 questions in every shift, with 1 to 3 questions directly focused on the Parliament of India.
| Exam Name | Total GA Questions | Expected Polity Questions | Parliament Topic Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRB NTPC CBT-1 | 40 | 5–7 Questions | 2–3 Questions |
| RRB NTPC CBT-2 | 50 | 6–8 Questions | 2–4 Questions |
| RRB Group D | 20 | 3–4 Questions | 1–2 Questions |
| RRB Technician Grade I/III | 10–20 | 2–4 Questions | 1–2 Questions |
Mastering this single topic ensures quick, accurate marks because questions from Polity are largely factual and concept-based without complex calculation requirements.
Key Concepts and Formulas
1. Constitutional Articles Related to Parliament
Below is a handy table of the most crucial articles that every RRB aspirant must memorize:
| Article No. | Subject Matter |
|---|---|
| Article 79 | Constitution of Parliament (President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha) |
| Article 80 | Composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
| Article 81 | Composition of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) |
| Article 83 | Duration of Houses of Parliament |
| Article 84 | Qualification for Membership of Parliament |
| Article 85 | Sessions, Prorogation, and Dissolution of Parliament |
| Article 93 | The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Article 108 | Joint Sitting of Both Houses in Certain Cases |
| Article 110 | Definition of "Money Bills" |
| Article 112 | Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget) |
2. Comparison Between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Understanding the differences between the two houses is the key to solving factual questions accurately:
| Feature | Lok Sabha (Lower House) | Rajya Sabha (Upper House) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of House | Temporary (Subject to dissolution) | Permanent (Cannot be dissolved) |
| Maximum Strength | 550 (After 104th Amendment Act, 2019) | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| Current Strength | 543 elected members | 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated) |
| Minimum Age | 25 Years | 30 Years |
| Tenure of Members | 5 Years (Unless dissolved earlier) | 6 Years (1/3rd members retire every 2nd year) |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (Elected by Lok Sabha members) | Ex-officio Chairman (Vice-President of India) |
| Money Bill Power | Exclusive/Dominant power | Limited power (Can delay up to 14 days) |
3. Key Parliamentary Terms and Sessions
- Quorum (Article 100): The minimum number of members required to transact business in either House. It is $1/10 \text{th}$ (10%) of the total membership of the House.
- Sessions of Parliament: Usually three sessions are held in a year: Budget Session (Feb–May), Monsoon Session (July–Sept), and Winter Session (Nov–Dec). The gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months.
- Question Hour: The first hour of every parliamentary sitting dedicated to asking and answering questions.
- Zero Hour: An Indian innovation in parliamentary procedures starting immediately after Question Hour for raising matters of urgent public importance without prior notice.
- Joint Sitting (Article 108): Called by the President in case of a deadlock between both Houses on an Ordinary Bill. It is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Solved Examples (Step-by-Step)
Example 1
Question: What is the minimum quorum required to conduct a sitting of the Lok Sabha having a total strength of 543 members?
Step-by-step Solution:
- Step 1: Recall the definition of Quorum under Article 100(3) of the Constitution of India.
- Step 2: Quorum is defined as $1/10 \text{th}$ of the total number of members of the House, including the presiding officer.
- Step 3: Calculate the numerical value: $ \text{Quorum} = \frac{1}{10} \times 543 = 54.3$.
- Step 4: Round up to the nearest whole number because a fraction of a person cannot attend. Thus, at least 55 members (including the Speaker) must be present.
Example 2
Question: If a Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha, within how many days must the Rajya Sabha return the bill?
Step-by-step Solution:
- Step 1: Identify the special constitutional status of Money Bills under Article 109 and Article 110.
- Step 2: A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on the prior recommendation of the President.
- Step 3: Once passed by the Lok Sabha, it is sent to the Rajya Sabha for recommendations. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations.
- Step 4: The Rajya Sabha must return the bill within 14 days. If it fails to do so within 14 days, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form originally passed by the Lok Sabha.
Example 3
Question: Who presides over a Joint Sitting of Parliament if the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is absent?
Step-by-step Solution:
- Step 1: Under Article 108, the President summons a Joint Sitting of both Houses.
- Step 2: According to Article 118(4), the Joint Sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- Step 3: If the Speaker is absent, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the session.
- Step 4: If the Deputy Speaker is also absent, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides. Note: The Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Vice-President) never presides over a Joint Sitting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Chairman of Rajya Sabha with Joint Sitting Presidency: Students often mistakenly believe the Vice-President (Chairman of Rajya Sabha) presides over a Joint Sitting. In reality, the Speaker of Lok Sabha presides. If absent, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha presides, followed by the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
- Assuming Anglo-Indian Nominated Seats Still Exist: Through the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, the nomination of 2 Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha was discontinued. Current maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 550, not 552.
- Confusing Qualifications for Age: Remember that minimum age for Lok Sabha is 25 years, while for Rajya Sabha it is 30 years (and for President/Vice-President, it is 35 years).
- Mixing Up Prorogation and Dissolution: Prorogation terminates a session of the House and is done by the President, but it does not end the life of the Lok Sabha. Dissolution ends the life of the Lok Sabha completely. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is never dissolved.
Practice Questions with Solutions
Test your preparation with these exam-oriented questions tailored for RRB NTPC & Group D:
Q1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution defines the composition of the Rajya Sabha?
- (A) Article 79
- (B) Article 80
- (C) Article 81
- (D) Article 82
Q2. Who among the following has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha before the completion of its term?
- (A) Prime Minister
- (B) Speaker of Lok Sabha
- (C) President on the advice of the Prime Minister
- (D) Chief Justice of India
Q3. What proportion of members of the Rajya Sabha retire every two years?
- (A) One-half
- (B) One-third
- (C) One-fourth
- (D) Two-thirds
Q4. Which of the following parliamentary devices is considered an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedures?
- (A) Question Hour
- (B) Zero Hour
- (C) Adjournment Motion
- (D) Calling Attention Motion
Q5. Who decides whether a particular bill is a Money Bill or not?
- (A) The President of India
- (B) The Finance Minister
- (C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- (D) The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Q6. What is the maximum period for which the President can issue an Ordinance when Parliament is not in session?
- (A) 6 months
- (B) 6 weeks
- (C) 6 months and 6 weeks
- (D) 1 year
Q7. How many members are nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha?
- (A) 2
- (B) 10
- (C) 12
- (D) 14
Solutions & Explanations
Q1. Answer: (B) Article 80
Explanation: Article 79 deals with the constitution of Parliament, Article 80 with Rajya Sabha composition, and Article 81 with Lok Sabha composition.
Q2. Answer: (C) President on the advice of the Prime Minister
Explanation: Under Article 85(2)(b), the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Q3. Answer: (B) One-third
Explanation: Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. Every two years, $1/3 \text{rd}$ of its members retire, and fresh elections are held for those seats.
Q4. Answer: (B) Zero Hour
Explanation: Zero Hour is an informal device created by Indian parliamentary practice in 1962. It does not exist in formal rulebooks.
Q5. Answer: (C) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Explanation: Under Article 110(3), if any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is final.
Q6. Answer: (C) 6 months and 6 weeks
Explanation: The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament is 6 months. An ordinance must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks from its reassembly. Thus, total maximum life is 6 months + 6 weeks.
Q7. Answer: (C) 12
Explanation: The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from persons having special knowledge or practical experience in Literature, Science, Art, and Social Service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a person who is not a member of Parliament become a Union Minister?
Yes. A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister. However, he or she must get elected or nominated to either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha within 6 consecutive months, failing which they cease to be a Minister.
2. Why is the Vice-President not eligible to vote in the Rajya Sabha under normal circumstances?
The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha but is not a member of the House. Therefore, he cannot vote in the first instance. However, in the case of a tie (equality of votes), he exercises a casting vote under Article 100.
3. What is the main difference between Adjournment and Prorogation?
An adjournment suspends the sitting of the House for a specified time (hours, days, or weeks) and is declared by the Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman). Prorogation terminates a session of the House and is issued by the President of India.
Conclusion and Final Tips
The Parliament of India is a vital, high-yielding topic for all RRB exam aspirants. Focus on memorizing key Articles (79, 80, 81, 108, 110, 112), basic eligibility conditions, tenure limits, and special powers of both Houses. Practice previous year RRB NTPC and Group D questions regularly to gain confidence.
Keep revising key tables and flowcharts, stay consistent with mock tests, and ensure you clear every conceptual ambiguity. Good luck with your RRB exam preparation!
