Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha

FAQs on difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

• What distinguishes the Rajya Sabha from the Lok Sabha?

  Since only the Lok Sabha has the authority to introduce money bills, it has a major influence over financial matters in addition to being in charge of creating and enacting laws. The Rajya Sabha examines, recommends changes to, and acts as a check on the laws that the Lok Sabha passes. 

• Which is better, the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha?

  The Lok Sabha has more power than the Rajya Sabha because: (i) Ordinary laws need to be passed by both Houses. Representatives from both Houses gather for a joint session to make the final decision if they cannot agree. 

• Who is an MLA, MP, or member of the Rajya Sabha?

  In the upper chamber of the Indian Parliament, known as the "Rajya Sabha" (constitutionally the "Council of States"), a Member of Parliament (abbreviated: MP) represents the Indian states. 

• Does the President serve in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha?

  The President and the two houses, the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), make up the legislature of the union, also known as Parliament. Every House must convene within six months of its most recent session. In some circumstances, two Houses may hold a combined sitting. 

• Could a PM serve in the Rajya Sabha?

  The prime minister may serve in the upper house of parliament, the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. The prime minister has authority over the appointment and removal of Union Council of Ministers members as well as the distribution of government positions. 

• Are MPs or MLAs larger?

  The electorate chooses one representative from each constituency, who thereafter joins the Legislative Assembly (MLA). In the lower chamber of India's bicameral parliament, the Lok Sabha, each state has seven to nine Members of Parliament (MLAs) for each MP. 

• Who is the parliament's leader?

  The head of the Indian Parliament is the President. The head of parliament, typically the Lok Sabha, is the prime minister.  

• Who chooses the members of the Rajya Sabha?

  The bulk of Rajya Sabha members are chosen by the elected members of state legislative assemblies. The remaining members are nominated by the Indian President.  

• How many Rajya Sabha seats are needed for MLAs?

  There shall be no more than 250 members in the Rajya Sabha, with 12 members chosen by the president and 238 members representing the States and Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved because it is a perpetual body. 

• MPs are elected by whom?

  All 543 seats in the Lok Sabha are directly chosen by Indian citizens using a first-past-the-post voting system from each state and union territory parliamentary constituency. Of the 245 members that the Rajya Sabha might have, 238 are indirectly elected.