Experts have designed these Class 8 SST Notes Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive Class 8 Notes for effective learning.
Class 8 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive Notes
Class 8 SST Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive Notes
Class 8 SST Chapter 6 Notes – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive Notes Class 8
→ The Indian Parliament reflects democratic principles and combines ancient Indian and modern symbols.
→ India’s independence enabled self-governance after years of colonial rule.
→ Universal Adult Franchise grants every adult Indian the right to vote.
→ The Constitution is the foundational document for governance.
→ The Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India.
→ Parliament controls, guides, and holds the government accountable, a The Indian Parliamentary system is inspired by the British model.
→ Experience from colonial rule and ancient republics shaped India’s Parliamentary procedures.
→ India practices federalism, distributing power among centre, states, and local governments.
→ The Parliament of India consists of the President, Lok Sabha (Lower House), and Rajya Sabha (Upper House). a The system with two chambers is called “bicameral.”
→ Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people.
→ Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly via an electoral college from state legislatures.
→ The number of MPs (Members of Parliament) per state depends on its population. a Maximum strength envisaged for Lok Sabha is 550 members.
→ Lok Sabha term lasts five years unless dissolved sooner.
→ Rajya Sabha is a permanent house, with one-third members retiring every two years, n 18th Lok Sabha was constituted in June 2024.
→ Each house has a presiding officer: Speaker for Lok Sabha, Vice President for Rajya Sabha.
→ The new Parliament building is designed to accommodate capacity, technology, efficiency, and sustainability.
→ Multilingual translation services are provided in Parliament for accessibility,
→ Parliament carries out legislative, executive, financial, and constitutional functions.
→ Parliament upholds core constitutional values: democracy, separation of powers, federalism, fundamental rights, and directive principles.
→ The main function of Parliament is lawmaking.
→ Drafts of proposed laws are called “bills.”
→ An act is a bill passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.
→ The journey from bill to act involves introduction, reading, committee discussion, debate, voting, and Presidential assent.
→ Constitutional Amendments and the election of President and Vice President are among Parliament’s constitutional functions.
→ Laws like the Right to Education (RTE) are enacted after rigorous Parliamentary process, n Money Bills (related to finances) must be introduced in Lok Sabha only.
→ Money Bills need the President’s recommendation before being introduced.
→ The executive branch implements laws made by Parliament.
→ The Union Executive includes President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister. ‘
→ Council of Ministers is responsible to Lok Sabha.
→ Executive accountability is ensured by mechanisms like the Question Hour in Parliament.
→ Standing Committees of Parliament scrutinize government actions and policies.
→ Ministers must justify actions and answer MPs’ questions during sessions.
→ Parliamentary committees may include MPs from different political parties.
→ The Sengol, a gold-plated silver sceptre, symbolizes righteous and just rule, placed near the Speaker’s chair.
→ Parliamentary debates sometimes involve poetry, quotations, and humor,
→ Parliament makes financial decisions such as passing the budget.
→ Parliament enforces checks and balances within the government.
→ Parliamentary tradition incorporates inclusivity and diversity.
→ Uniforms, books, and infrastructure for children’s education were addressed explicitly in the RTE Act.
→ Important terms arising from Parliamentary sessions: Speaker, Standing Committee, Gazette, Bill, Act.
→ Rajya Sabha gives space for states and minority opinions at the national level.
→ The parliamentary building’s architectural elements represent Indian tradition and democracy.
→ All adults, regardless of background, have the right to elect their representatives.
→ Official reports and recommendations are published for transparency and review.
→ Parliamentary sessions are both formal and sometimes lively due to spirited exchanges between MPs.
→ Act : A law that has been formally passed by the Parliament after going through all stages of approval, including the President’s assent.
→ Bill : A draft proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law, presented in the Parliament for discussion and approval.
→ Budget : The annual financial statement presented by the government in Parliament, detailing expected revenues and planned expenditures.
→ Clause : A distinct section within a bill or act that explains specific legal details, like age range, applicability, etc.
→ Discretionary Powers : Special powers that the President can use in certain situations, such as appointing a Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority.
→ Electoral College : A body of elected members that formally elects the President and Vice President of India.
→ Gazette : An official publication of the Government of India that announces legal changes, bills, notifications, and public appointments.
→ Productivity (Parliamentary) : A measure of how much work (e.g., debate hours, bill passage) the Parliament accomplishes compared to its scheduled time.
→ Question Hour : A time at the beginning of a Parliamentary sitting during which MPs ask ministers questions about the working of their ministries.
→ Sengol : A traditional sceptre from Tamil Nadu handed to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 symbolizing the righteous transfer of power. Now placed near the Speaker’s chair.
→ Sessions : Official periods when Parliament or a State Assembly meets for conducting legislative business. These include the Budget, Monsoon, and Winter Sessions.
→ Standing Committee : A permanent Parliamentary committee that scrutinizes specific functions or bills and includes MPs from various political parties.
The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive Class 8 Notes
This chapter explores the structure and role of the Indian Parliament and State Legislatures in a democratic setup. It explains how laws are made, how the Executive is held accountable, and how citizens, media, and the judiciary contribute to transparent governance.
Journey of Indian Democracy and the Role of Parliament
- India became independent after a long struggle against British rule. Many people sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
- After independence, the people of India got the right to choose their own government.
- The first big step was making the Constitution.
- The Constitution gave every adult the right to vote, no matter their gender, caste, religion, or money. This is called the Universal Adult Franchise.
- People of India directly elect their representatives, who become members of the Lok Sabha. The majority group among these elected representatives forms the government.
- All the elected members together make the Parliament, which makes laws and keeps a check on the government. This shows that the government works with the permission of the people.
- India had its first Lok Sabha in 1952 and the 18th Lok Sabha was formed in June 2024.
Composition of the Indian Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is composed of
- The President of India
- The Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House)
- The Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House)
- This structure with two houses is called a bicameral legislature, “bi” meaning two and “cameral” meaning chamber.
Knowledge Plus
- People elect Lok Sabha members through direct elections (universal adult suffrage).
- The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 550 members. Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by an electoral college.
- The number of seats in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha depends on the population of each state.
Need for Two Houses of Parliament
- While making the Constitution, it was decided that one House was not enough for a large and diverse country like India.
- So, a second House called the Rajya Sabha was created to represent the states, following the idea of
federalism. - The structure and election process of the Rajya Sabha were intentionally made different.
- India’s federal system shares power between the central, state and local governments, balancing national unity with local needs.
Knowledge plus
- The Sengol, a historic sceptres symbolising righteous governance, was handed to Jawaharlal Nehru on 14th August, 1947.
- It now stands beside the Speaker’s chair in the new Lok Sabha as a powerful reminder of dharma and justice.
Functions of Parliament
- Each House has a Presiding Officer to conduct sessions smoothly.
- The Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker who is elected by its members. The speaker performs functions such as conducting sessions, maintaining discipline and ensuring that rules are followed.
- The Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice President of India.
- Parliament has both legislative (making laws) and executive (implementing laws) roles.
The Union Executive consists of the following members
- The President,
- The Vice President,
- The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister.
Legislative Functions of the Parliament
They can be broadly classified under the following heads
(i) Constitutional functions
The Parliament is directly entrusted with upholding the core values of the Indian Constitution by
- Enabling Parliamentary democracy through universal adult franchise.’
- Ensuring separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
- Promoting federalism and
- Safeguarding Fundamental Rights and implementing Directive Principles of State Policy through laws and policies.
(ii) Lawmaking
One of Parliament’s primary roles is making laws. A bill (draft law) goes through a rigorous Parliamentary process before becoming an act (law). The example of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) shows how a bill becomes an act.
The Process of Lawmaking in the Parliament – From Bill to Act
- Introduction in either House of the Parliament A bill (draft law) is introduced in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
- Reading of the bill The bill is read out and its main purpose is explained. –
- Referred to Standing Committee4 The bill is sent to a committeefor detailed examination and suggestions.
- Taken up for consideration and passing The bill is discussed and changes (amendments) are proposed.
- Clause-by-clause discussion and amendments voted
- Each part of the bill is discussed and voted on.
- Vote on the Bill The final bill is voted on and passed by the House.
- Process repeated in other House The same process is repeated in the other House of Parliament.
- Presidential assent The bill is sent to the President for approval.
- Gazette notification Once approved, it is published in the Gazette of India and becomes an Act.
Money Bills Procedures
- Some types of bills, such as Money Bills, can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. These bills deal with financial matters such as taxation, government borrowing and expenditure.
- A money bill can only be introduced with the prior recommendation of the President. Once introduced, the Rajya Sabha may suggest changes, but the Lok Sabha is not bound to accept them.
(iii) Executive Accountability
The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers form the Union Executive. They are
- Responsible for implementing laws and running the government.
- Make decisions based on the Constitution and existing laws.
- Accountable to the Lok Sabha, which holds them responsible for their actions.
- The Executive is answerable to the Lok Sabha through tools like the Question Hour. Question hour is held during the first hour of a Parliamentary session.
- During this time, MPs ask ministers questions about government policies and actions and ministers must explain and justify their decisions.
- Special Parliamentary Committees, with members from different political parties, also review government work and hold ministries accountable.
(iv) Financial Accountability
- Parliament is responsible for approving and monitoring government expenditure through the annual budget.
- It scrutinises how funds are allocated to various ministries.
- The Government must supply Parliament with accurate and timely financial information to ensure accountability.
Executive Functions of Parliament
Executive function censure implementation through the Union Executive, which includes: the President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The President
- The President is the Head of State and holds the position of a nominal executive.
- He appoints the Prime Minister and Ministers, summons Parliament and gives assent to bills.
- He acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
- The President can exercise discretionary powers in appointing the Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
- The Prime Minister is the de facto executive authority, appointed by the President from the majority party in the Lok Sabha.The Prime Minister’s key functions include
- Leading the Council of Ministers
- Guiding the President in key matters
- Managing coordination among various ministries
- Playing a major role in forming national policies
- The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers make decisions and are collectively responsible for the Lok Sabha, helping draft and pass government bills.
- The permanent group of officials is called ‘civil servants’. These officers are often called administrators or bureaucrats and they work under the direction of ministers.
- Example of ministerial accountability In 1956, Railway Minister Lai Bahadur Shastri resigned after a train accident, accepting moral responsibility even without direct blame, a demonstration of ethical governance.
The differences between the Legislature and the Executive
| Aspect | Legislature | Executive |
| Composition | • The Legislature includes the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. | • The Executive consists of the President, Vice-President and the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. |
| Main Role | • Makes laws and monitors the Executive. | • Implements and enforces the laws passed by the Legislature. |
| Functions | • Introduces some bills in Parliament.
• Questions the Executive and demands accountability. • Approves all government-related spending. • Consults various parliamentary committees. |
• Introduces some bills in Parliament.
• Questions the Executive and demands accountability. • Approves all government-related spending. • Consults various parliamentary committees. • Introduces most bills in Parliament. • Explains decisions to the Legislature. Prepares and implements the budget. • Advises the President on key matters. • May consult committees but functions independently in day-to-day governance. |
Language Accessibility in Parliament
- To make Parliamentary discussions accessible to everyone, simultaneous translation is available in 12 Indian languages: Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Punjabi and Telugu.
- Recently, 6 more languages were added: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu and Sanskrit. More languages will be added in the future.
The Judiciary- Role of Checks and Balances
- The Judiciary is the branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of the land, especially when disputes arise.
- It functions through a system of Courts and acts as the custodian of the Constitution, ensuring that all other branches-the Legislature and the Executive function within the constitutional limits.
- The Constitution clearly defines the powers and responsibilities of each organ of the government.
- It ensures effective functioning of government by interpreting laws, resolving disputes and protecting fundamental rights.
- To ensure accountability, the Judiciary is empowered to review laws passed by Parliament and actions taken by the Executive.
- If any law or action violates the Constitution, the Judiciary can declare it invalid or unconstitutional.
- This system reflects the separation of powers and the principle of checks and balances among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
Legislative-and Executive Functions at the State Level
Each state has its own Legislature and Executive, called its ‘state Assembly’. Just as Members of Parliament (MPs) make laws at the national level, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who formulate laws on the ‘State List’ and the ‘Concurrent List’.
Legislative Functions at the State Level
These laws are based on three lists in the Constitution the Union list, the State list and the Concurrent list.
- Union List Subjects under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union Government.
- State List Subjects under the exclusive jurisdiction of State Governments.
- Concurrent List Subjects on which both the Union and State Governments can legislate. State governments are bound to follow the laws made by the central government on a subject under the Concurrent List.
Example: The Right to Education (RTE) Act is enforced nationwide even though education is on the Concurrent List.
Parallel Structure of Union and State Governments
| Feature | Union Government | State Government |
| Constitutional Head | President of India (elected by an electoral college) | Governor (appointed by the President) |
| Term of Office (Head) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Executive Head | Prime Minister (de facto) | Chief Minister (defacto) |
| Executive Selection | Leader of the majority or coalition in Lok Sabha | Leader of majority or coalition in Vidhan Sabha |
| Council of Ministers | Selected by Prime Minister | Selected by Chief Minister |
| Collective Responsibility | To Lok Sabha | To Vidhan Sabha |
| Legislature Structure | Bicameral (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) | Unicameral (Vidhan Sabha) or Bicameral (Vidhan Sabha and VidhanParishad) |
| Lower House | Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) |
| Upper House | Rajya Sabha (Council of States) | Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) – in some states only |
| Term of Lower House | 5 years | 5 years |
| Presiding Officer (Lower House) | Speaker of Lok Sabha | Speaker of Vidhan Sabha |
| Legislative Powers | Laws on Union List and Concurrent List | Laws on State List and Concurrent List |
| Financial Powers | Money bills originate only in Lok Sabha | Money bills originate only in Vidhan Sabha |
Structure of State Legislatures
Like the Union Parliament, each state in India has its legislature. These can be either
- Unicameral (with only one house – Vidhan Sabha or Legislative Assembly), or
- Bicameral (with two houses – Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad or Legislative Council).
- Bicameral States Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
- Unicameral States All other states.
- The Vidhan Sabha is the lower house, whose members are directly elected by the people.
- The Vidhan Pafishad is the upper house and its members are partly elected and partly nominated.
Challenges to the Effective Functioning of the Legislatures
The Legislature provides a platform for discussing national policies and development plans and addressing public grievances. Despite its vital role in lawmaking, oversight and approving budgets, the Legislature faces several challenges
- Disruptions during sessions and question hours
- Low attendance of members
- Lack of awareness or engagement by the public
- Decreasing quality of meaningful debates
- Lack of cooperative conduct from members
Functioning of Parliament State Assemblies
- The Parliament meets thrice a year in the form of sessions: Budget Session, Monsoon Session and Winter Session.
- Each session comprises sittings where Members of Parliament (MPs) debate proposed laws, deliberate on national issues and hold the Executive accountable. Typically, each sitting lasts 6 hours per day, though this can be extended for urgent matters.
- State Assemblies follow a similar pattern in conducting their sessions.
Challenges Faced by Legislatures
Despite their crucial role, both Parliament and State Legislatures face several operational challenges
- Absenteeism of members
- Disruptions during debates
- Lack of effective communication
- Declining productivity during sessions
- Reduced quality of discussions, especially during Question Hour
- Disrupted debates and cut-short sessions make a bill take years to get passed
- A significant proportion of MPs and MLAs have criminal cases against them
Role of Citizens and Media
- A responsible and aware citizen is vital for a strong democracy. The media highlights legislative issues through various forms, including political cartoons.
- Digital platforms also allow public participation in governance and policy making. More young leaders and diverse voices are entering public life.
- Technology makes it easier to stay connected and involved. As future voters, your choices and participation, will help strengthen Parliament and State Assemblies to serve everyone better.