The Lok Sabha is one of the two houses of the Indian Parliament, representing the people of India and functioning as the cornerstone of Indian democracy. This article delves into the structure, elections, and the role of the Lok Sabha Speaker, providing key facts and insights.
What is Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, is the lower house of the Indian Parliament. It represents the people of India directly, with its members (MPs) elected through universal adult suffrage. The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, is the upper house of Parliament, with members representing the states and union territories.
Composition of Lok Sabha:
| Composition of Lok Sabha | |
| Maximum Strength – 552 | 530 represent the States |
| 20 are the representatives of Union Territories | |
| 2 are nominated from the President from Anglo-Indian Community | |
| Current Strength – 542 | 530 represent States |
| 20 represent Union Territories | |
| 2 are nominated from the President from Anglo-Indian Community | |
Lok Sabha Structure and Composition
- The Lok Sabha consists of members directly elected by the people from various territorial constituencies across India.
- Each Member of Parliament (MP) serves a term of 5 years unless the house is dissolved earlier.
- The total number of seats in the Lok Sabha is 552, which includes both elected and nominated members.
Lok Sabha Elections
Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every 5 years and are a vital part of India’s democratic process. The first general election was held in 1952, which laid the foundation for India’s electoral system.
Key Features of Lok Sabha Elections
- Direct Election:
Lok Sabha members are directly elected by Indian citizens aged 18 and above through universal adult franchise. - Representation of States:
- Direct Election from territorial constituencies in various states.
- Each state’s representation is determined by its population.
- Voting Eligibility: Any Indian citizen of 18 years and above has the right to vote.
- Representation of Union Territories (UTs):
- The members from Union Territories are also elected directly through general elections.
- The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965 governs this process.
- Nominated Members:
- The President can nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian Community if they are not adequately represented.
- The 95th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2009 extended this provision until 2020.
Lok Sabha Constituencies
There are 543 constituencies in India that take part in the Lok Sabha elections. There are various doubts related to Lok Sabha constituencies which strike an aspirants’ mind. Below-given are answers to a few questions related to Lok Sabha constituencies which you may know for UPSC Prelims:
| Which is the largest constituency (area-wise)? | Ladakh (1,73,266.37 sq.km) |
| Which is the smallest constituency (area-wise)? | Chandni Chowk (10.59 sq.km) |
| Which is the largest constituency (electors-wise) | Malkajgiri (29,53,915) |
| Which is the smallest constituency (electors-wise) | Lakshadweep (47,972) |
Lok Sabha and important articles of the Indian Constitution
The following are important articles of the Indian Constitution in relation to Lok Sabha:
| Articles | Provision |
| Article 326 (Part XV) | Elections to Lok Sabha shall be on the basis of adult suffrage |
| Article 83 (2) | Lok Sabha will continue for 5 years, unless sooner dissolved, from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer and the expiration of the said period of five years shall operate as a dissolution of the House |
| Article 75 | Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to Lok Sabha |
| Article 324 | Power, superintendence of Election Commission w.r.t. Lok Sabha elections and more |
What are the important amendments acts related to Lok Sabha?
The following table provides the list of important amendment acts and their relationship with Lok Sabha:
| Amendment Act | Amended Provisions w.r.t. Lok Sabha |
| 2nd Amendment Act, 1952 | Readjusted the scale of representation in the Lok Sabha |
| 23rd Amendment Act, 1969 | Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs and STs, and special representation for the Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha for a further period of ten years (i.e., up to 1980) |
| 31st Amendment Act, 1972 | Increased the number of Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545 |
| 41st Amendment Act, 1976 | 1. Froze the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies on the basis of 1971 census till 2001 2. Raised the tenure of Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies from 5 to 6 years |
| 44th Amendment Act, 1978 | 1. Restored the original term of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies (i.e., 5 years) 2. Omitted the provisions which took away the power of the court to decide the election disputes of the Lok Sabha Speaker |
| 45th Amendment Act, 1980 | Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs and STs and special representation for the Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha |
| 51st Amendment Act, 1984 | Provided for reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha for STs in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram |
| 61st Amendment Act, 1989 | Reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha |
| 62nd Amendment Act, 1989 | Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs and STs and special representation for the Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha |
| 79th Amendment Act, 1999 | Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs and STs and special representation for the Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha |
| 84th Amendment Act, 2001 | Extended the ban on the readjustment of seats in the Lok Sabha for another 25 years (i.e., up to 2026) with the same objective of encouraging population limiting measures |
| 91st Amendment Act, 2003 | Article 75(1A): The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Central Council of Ministers, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha |
| 95th Amendment Act, 2009 | Article 334: Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs and STs and special representation for the Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha for a further period of ten years i.e., up to 2020 |
Historical Facts about Lok Sabha Elections
- 1952: The 1st Lok Sabha Election was held with 489 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC) won 364 seats, and Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister.
- 2019: The 17th Lok Sabha elections took place for 552 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 303 seats, and Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.
- Representation of Women:
- 1952: Only 22 women were elected.
- 2014: The number of elected women MPs increased to 49.
Electoral System Used
The first-past-the-post system is used for elections to the Lok Sabha, where candidates with the highest number of votes in each constituency win the seat.
Who is the Lok Sabha Speaker?
The Lok Sabha Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha and plays a crucial role in maintaining order during sessions. The Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
Role and Functions of the Lok Sabha Speaker
- The Speaker ensures that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha are conducted smoothly and impartially.
- No proceedings in the Lok Sabha can take place without the Speaker’s presence.
- The Speaker also plays a significant role in deciding on the admissibility of motions and ensuring the constitutional framework is followed.
Facts About Lok Sabha Speakers
- First Lok Sabha Speaker: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar (1952-1956). He was the first to hold this prestigious post and passed away while in office.
- Subsequent Speakers:
- Ananthasayanam Ayyangar (1956-1957).
- Ms. Sumitra Mahajan (16th Lok Sabha Speaker).
- Om Birla: Elected as the Speaker following the 17th Lok Sabha elections (2019 General Elections).
Questions related to Lok Sabha for UPSC
Check below the important questions that are related to the topic ‘Lok Sabha’ in the table below:
| When was NOTA introduced in Lok Sabha? | NOTA was introduced in 16th Lok Sabha Elections of 2014 |
| When was VVPAT was introduced in Lok Sabha? | 1. A voter-verifiable paper audit trail was first used in an election in India in September 2013 in Noksen in Nagaland 2. Later, introduced in 8 of 543 parliamentary constituencies in 2014 |
| How many Department Related Standing Committees (DRSC) are there in Lok Sabha? | There are 16 Standing Committees in Lok Sabha. (To read more on Parliamentary Committees, check the linked article.) |
| What is the role of Lok Sabha in the introduction on Money Bill? | Money Bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha speaker decides the credibility of the money bill. |
| Who is the leader of Lok Sabha? | Prime Minister is the leader of the house |
| What is the qualification of Lok Sabha members? | 1. Must be an Indian Citizen 2. He must be not less than 25 years of age 3. Must be registered as an elector for a parliamentary constituency 4. Those who want to contest election from the seat reserved for SC/ST must be a member of a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe in any state or union territory |
Conclusion
The Lok Sabha plays an essential role in the Indian political system, acting as the voice of the people. Through direct elections, it ensures that the government remains accountable to the citizens. The Lok Sabha Speaker is integral in upholding the democratic principles of the house, ensuring a smooth legislative process. Whether you’re preparing for competitive exams like UPSC or simply seeking to understand India’s polity, the workings of the Lok Sabha are fundamental to grasp.