3.1. Duration of the Houses

♤ The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution. The Parliament via. the Representation of People Act, 1951 has provided that the term of office of a member of Rajya Sabha shall be six years. 1/3rd of its members (as nearly as possible) retire on expiration of every second year, in accordance with provisions made by the Parliament. Thus, there is an election of 1/3rd of the membership of the Rajya Sabha at the beginning of every third year.

o The order of retirement of the members is governed by the Council of States (Term of Office of Members) Order, 1952, made by the President in exercise of powers conferred upon him by the Representation of People Act, 1951. In the first batch, it was decided by lottery as to who should retire.

♤ The normal life of Lok Sabha is 5 years, but the President may dissolve it earlier. Further, the normal term of the Lok Sabha may be extended during the period of national emergency by a law made by the Parliament for one year at a time for any length of time. However, this extension cannot continue beyond a period of six months after the proclamation of Emergency ceases to operate.