Differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Read Complete Details!

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 
2. Houses of Parliament
3. Functions of Lok Sabha
4. Functions of Rajya Sabha 
5. Important questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 
6. Between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, who is the most powerful?
7. How many members are there in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
8. How are members elected in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
9. How many members are nominated in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
10. Who chairs Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 

The following table summarises the significant distinctions between the upper and lower houses of Parliament:

Out of all Union Territories, only Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry are represented in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha is Parliament's lower chamber, and a third of its members retire every two years. Another point to keep in mind is that the Council of Ministers reports solely to the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.

Houses of Parliament

LOK SABHA 

• 530 members represent the States. 20 persons represent the Union Territories. 
• Additionally, the president proposes two candidates from the Anglo-Indian community. 
• There are only 545 members in total because only 13 members are elected to represent the Union Territories. 
• Two Anglo Indians were not nominated for the Lok Sabha after the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 was passed.

RAJYA SABHA 

Functions of Lok Sabha:

Legislative powers of the Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha has the power to pass bills and laws affecting states and union territories. When a bill is passed by two-thirds of the members of parliament in an emergency, the bill is only valid for one year. Other bills, aside from money bills, can be passed by either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. If these government entities are unable to reach an agreement, the President of India will intervene. In terms of legislative power, the Lok Sabha outnumbers the Rajya Sabha.

Financial Issues: Members of the Lok Sabha introduce Money Bills. When the Lok Sabha passes a bill, it is forwarded to the Rajya Sabha for approval and suggestions. If the proposed modifications are agreed upon by members of the Lok Sabha, the bill will be passed by both houses of parliament. The Rajya Sabha has a 14-day deadline to make the requested adjustments. 

Elections: In terms of elections, Article 54 of the Indian Constitution serves numerous purposes. The Lok Sabha chooses its speaker, who is also a member of the lower house.

Miscellaneous:

• The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha alter the Indian Constitution. 
• Both houses of parliament have the power to appoint and dismiss judges from the High Court and Supreme Court. 
• The Rajya Sabha must have the consent of the members of the Lok Sabha to remove the Vice-President. 
• Every decision taken by the Rajya Sabha must be approved by the Lok Sabha.

Functions of Rajya Sabha :

• The Rajya Sabha is the Indian parliament that represents all of India's states and union territories. 
• To become legislation, a bill must pass both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. 
• The Rajya Sabha has the power to examine and amend bills that have been passed by the Lok Sabha. 
• Representatives or elected members of the assemblies of several states elect the members. 
• The Rajya Sabha currently has 300 members, 12 of whom are appointed by the President of India.

Important questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha :

Q . Between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, who is the most powerful?

• The Lok Sabha can express dissatisfaction with the government in ways that the Rajya Sabha does not: 

1. By failing to pass a motion of gratitude for the President's inauguration address and rejecting an appropriation bill (To read on how a bill is passed in the Indian Parliament, check the linked article.) 
2. By passing a motion of censure or adjournment 
3. By outsmarting the government on a crucial subject, Performing a cut motion 

• Only the Lok Sabha can introduce a money bill under Article 110. (In the linked article, aspirants can learn more about Money Bill.)
• Only the Lok Sabha can introduce a financial bill under Article 110 (1). 
• However, with the approval of the bill, the powers remain the same. 
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha determines whether bills are Money Bills, whereas the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha does not have this authority. 
• When both chambers meet in a combined session, the Lok Sabha with the greater number of members invariably wins. 
• When it comes to the union budget, the Rajya Sabha can only debate it and not vote on grant requests.

Q. How many members are there in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. The composition of both the houses is given below:
 

Composition of Lok Sabha	Composition of Rajya Sabha
Maximum Strength – 552	530 represent the States	Maximum Strength – 250	238 elected indirectly and are representatives of States and Union Territories
20 are the representatives of Union Territories	12 are nominated by the President
2 are nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community	Current strength – 245	233 represent states and Union Territories
Current Strength – 545	530 represent States	–
13 represent Union Territories	12 are nominated by President
2 are nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community	–

How are members elected in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. Both houses have different election principles. In both houses, there are three types of representation: 

• Representation of States
• Representation of Union Territories
• Nominated Members

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of States
Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Members are elected directly by the people in the states' territorial constituencies.  The Universal Adult Franchise was utilized as the election principle.  Any Indian citizen above the age of 18 is eligible to vote. Note: Voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988	Members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies Election Principle used – Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote Allotment of Seats – Based on population Note: The number of representatives varies from state to state

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of Union Territories
Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Parliament is empowered to choose the members from the UTs in any manner it desires Election Principle used – Direct Election Note: Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965, has been enacted by which the members of Lok Sabha from the union territories are chosen by direct election.	Members are indirectly elected by members of an electoral college specially constituted for the purpose Election Principle used – Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote Note: Out of eight UTs, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry have representation in the Rajya Sabha

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of Nominated Members
Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
President nominates 2 members from Anglo-Indian Community if they are not adequately represented   Note: The provision to nominate Anglo-Indians was extended till 2020 by the 95th Amendment Act, 2009	President nominates 12 members from people who have special knowledge and practical experience in :   Art Literature Science Social Service

How many members are nominated in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. 12 members are nominated in Rajya Sabha. 2 are nominated from the Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha.

Q. Who chairs Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

A. Lok Sabha is chaired by the Speaker and Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice-President of India.
 

  Lok Sabha is the House of People, where people who are eligible to vote can elect their representative by way of direct elections. Rajya Sabha is the Council of States, where the representatives are indirectly elected by the elected representatives of the Assemblies of States and union territories.