Parliament of India comprises President, Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House.) Lok Sabha is called House of People while Rajya Sabha is called the Council of States. The names, ‘Lok Sabha’ &’ ‘Rajya Sabha’ were adopted in 1954 by the Indian Parliament. Article 79-122 in the Indian Constitution deals with the Indian Parliament. The two houses of parliament are different from each other in many aspects and hence this topic ‘ Difference between Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha’ becomes important for IAS Exam and its three stages – Prelims, Mains and Interview.
This article will mention the differences between Lower House i.e. Lok Sabha and the upper house i.e. the Rajya Sabha. Understanding the conceptual differences between the two houses of Parliament will act as a yardstick for UPSC aspirants for UPSC Mains GS-II exam and also for Political Science subject which is an optional paper in the civil services examination.
What is the main difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
The major differences between both the houses of the Parliament are given in brief in the table below:
| Comparison between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha | ||
| Difference | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
| What it is called? | House of People | Council of States |
| What is the meaning of the name? | House of People, where people who are qualified to vote can elect their representative by way of direct elections | Council of States, where the representatives are indirectly elected by the elected representative of the Assemblies of States and Union Territories |
| What is the tenure of the house? | It continues for 5 years
Note: It can be dissolved earlier by passing no-confidence motion
| It is a permanent body. |
| Who heads the house? | Speaker | Vice President of India as the Chairman of the house |
| What is the minimum age to become a member? | 25 years | 30 years |
| What is the strength of the house? | 552 members | 250 members |
| What are the functions of the house? | All bills originate in Lok Sabha mostly and after passing through Rajya Sabha, they are returned for Lok Sabha approval. It plays a major role in legislation. | Rajya Sabha has special powers to announce that it is required and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States. |
Questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for UPSC
When an aspirant reads about the Indian Parliament for the first time, he/she may get a little confused between the two houses given their composition, tenure and, functions. In this section, we will answer all those questions related to the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha reading which aspirants will get clarity conceptually for UPSC examination.
The set of questions are given below:
Who is more powerful between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with President together make up the Parliament. Both the houses have been conferred with powers. However, there is a slight difference between the powers of both. Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha on specific matters which are given below:
- Lok Sabha can express a lack of confidence in the government by following ways which Rajya Sabha cannot:
- By not passing a motion of thanks on the President’s inaugural address
- By rejecting a money bill
- By passing a censure motion or an adjournment motion
- By defeating the government on a vital issue
- By passing a cut motion
- Note: Rajya Sabha, however, can criticize the acts and policies of the government.
- Money Bill under Article 110 can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. (Aspirants can read more about Money Bill in the linked article.)
- Financial Bill under Article 110 (1) can also be introduced only in the Lok Sabha
- Note: The powers with the passage of the bill, however, are same
- Speaker of Lok Sabha decides which bill is Money Bill and the same power is not given to the chairman of Rajya Sabha
- In case of a joint sitting of both houses, Lok Sabha with greater number always wins
- With respect to the union budget, Rajya Sabha can only discuss the budget and cannot vote on the demands for grants
How many members are there in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
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 President | ||
| 2 are nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community | Current strength – 245 | 228 represent States | |
| Current Strength – 545 | 530 represent States | 4 represent Union Territories | |
| 13 represent Union Territories | 12 are nominated by President | ||
| 2 are nominated from the President from Anglo-Indian Community | – | ||
How are members elected in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
The principle of election for both the houses is different. There are three kings of representation in both the houses:
- 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 | ||
Note: Voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988
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Note: Number of representatives varies from state to state
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| Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha w.r.t Representation of Union Territories | |||
| Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha | ||
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.
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Note: Out of seven UTs, only Delhi and Puducherry have representation in Rajya Sabha
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| 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 95th Amendment Act, 2009
| President nominates 12 members from people who special knowledge and practical experience in :
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