Structural differences:
LOK SABHA (LS) | RAJYA SABHA (RS) | |
STRENGTH | ♤ As per Article 81, maximum strength of LS can be 552. Out of this, 530 have to be elected from the States, 20 from UTs and 2 are to be nominated by the President from the Anglo- | ♤ As per Article 80, maximum strength of RS can be of 250. Out of which, 238 members are to be elected from the States and UTs and 12 are nominated by the President. |
Indian community. ♤ Present Strength: 545, out of which 530 are representatives of States, and 13 from UTs, while 2 Anglo-Indians are nominated. | ♤ Present Strength: 245, out of which 233 are representatives of States and UTs of Delhi and Puducherry, while 12 are nominated. | |
PRESIDING OFFICERS | The Speaker of the LS is elected from amongst its members. | The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the RS. |
TENURE | ♤ The normal life of the LS is five years only. ♤ It can be dissolved by the President even before completion of its term. | ♤ It is a continuing chamber where one third of the members retire every second year. ♤ It is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. |
LOK SABHA | RAJYA SABHA | |
MODE OF ELECTION | Members are directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies. | Members are indirectly elected by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies. |
ELECTION PRINCIPLE | Universal Adult Franchise and First Past The Post system (FPTP). | Proportional Representation (PR) by means of a single transferable vote. |
QUALIFICATION | The candidate must not be less than 25 years of age | The candidate must not be less than 30 years of age. |
RESERVATION OF SEATS | Article 334 provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in LS. | There is no reservation for SCs and STs in RS. |
REPRESENTATION OF UTs | All UTs get representation as per their population. | Only UTs with Legislative Assemblies get representation. Therefore, only Delhi and Puducherry send their representatives to RS. |
Electoral differences:
Assessment of the effectiveness of the Rajya Sabha in recent times:
♤ Several important bills such as Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 originated in the RS and later became Acts.
♤ In the absence of strong opposition in the Lok Sabha since 2014 elections, the RS has played an important role in keeping a check over arbitrary or hurriedly passage of the bills by the LS e.g. the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2014.
♤ As a House for sobriety and second thought, the RS has served an important role in preserving the federal structure and protection of the interests of the states. For instance: during the passage of the GST Bill.
♤ Since Rajya Sabha has limited power over money bill, important bills such as the Aadhar Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Parliament as a money bill. Similarly, it does not have power to discuss Budget or pass a no confidence motion.
♤ Some bills like that of Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002 was defeated in RS, but was passed in a joint session as the RS lacks adequate numbers in a joint session.
♤ Being a council of states, it is envisaged to uphold the interests of the states, but due to coalition politics, the interests of parties take precedence over the interests of the States.
♤ Rajya Sabha has also been used as a back door entry for defeated candidates in general elections. Besides, low attendance of members also affects the effectiveness of the House.
It may seem that RS has less powers vis-à-vis the LS. However, the role of the RS is still important. It is not only a House for second thought but is also a representative of the states’ interests. While playing the role of a watchdog, the RS must assert itself as a House of correction to improve the legislations passed by the LS.