The Indian Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India and comprises three main components: the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, and the President of India. The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, is the lower house of the parliament and is considered to be the popular chamber of the Indian Parliament. This is due to the fact that its members are directly elected by the citizens of India through a general election.

Understanding the Lok Sabha is of paramount importance for those aspiring to take the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Exam, as it forms the foundation of Indian Polity. It is essential for IAS candidates to have a thorough knowledge of the Lok Sabha, as it is a crucial topic that is covered in the Political Science subject, which is a significant subject both for the Prelims and Mains General Studies Paper II, as well as for optional papers.

This article aims to provide detailed information about the Lok Sabha, including the Lok Sabha elections, the number of Lok Sabha seats, and other relevant information. It will also address some of the frequently asked questions that cross the minds of IAS aspirants while preparing for the UPSC 2023 examination. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Lok Sabha, IAS candidates will be well-equipped to excel in their exams and serve the nation in the best possible way.

What is Lok Sabha and who are Lok Sabha members?

The Indian Parliament is a bicameral legislative body, which means it is composed of two houses. The Lok Sabha is one of these two houses and is considered to be the first chamber of the parliament. The other house is the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have distinct roles and responsibilities, and the differences between the two are significant. (You can find more information about the differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the linked article.)

The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, represents the people of India as a whole. It is directly elected by the citizens of India through a general election, where the voting age is 18 years and above, also known as universal adult suffrage. The members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a term of five years and are accountable to the people of India for their actions and decisions.

The Lok Sabha plays a vital role in the functioning of Indian democracy as it is responsible for making laws, approving the budget, and providing a check on the executive branch of the government. It also serves as a forum for public discussion and debate on issues of national importance. The Lok Sabha is also the first chamber to take up the impeachment of the President of India and the Vice President of India.

In conclusion, the Lok Sabha is an essential component of the Indian Parliament, and it represents the voice of the people of India. Understanding its role and functions is crucial for those aspiring to take the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Exam, as it forms the foundation of Indian Polity.

It’s important to note that with the implementation of The Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Act, 2019, the provision for special representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) by nomination has been discontinued. This means that members of the Anglo-Indian community will no longer be nominated to the Lok Sabha by the President of India, as was the case previously. This change was made as a result of the amendment to the Constitution, which aimed to ensure that all members of the Lok Sabha are elected through universal adult suffrage and are accountable to the citizens of India.

The Anglo-Indian community, which is a minority group in India, had been provided special representation in the Lok Sabha through nomination since the country’s independence in 1947. However, with the discontinuation of this provision, members of the Anglo-Indian community will have to contest elections and be elected to the Lok Sabha through the same process as other citizens of India.

It is important to keep in mind that The Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Act, 2019 is a significant amendment that affects the representation of various communities in the Indian Parliament. As the IAS Exam is considered as one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India, the candidates should be aware of the current affairs and the recent changes in the Indian Constitution and its impact on society.

Lok Sabha Elections

The members of the Lok Sabha, also known as Members of Parliament (MPs), are elected or appointed from the different states and union territories of India or are appointed from a field of particular expertise. The elections to the Lok Sabha take place every five years, and they are held simultaneously with the general elections in the country. The Constitution of India has adopted the principle of the universal adult franchise as the basis for elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.

Universal adult franchise means that every citizen of India who is 18 years or older, regardless of their caste, class, religion, or gender, has the right to vote. This ensures that the elected representatives are chosen by the citizens, and are accountable to them. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to vote to every citizen, and it is considered one of the fundamental rights of the citizens.

The process of Lok Sabha elections is conducted by the Election Commission of India, which is an independent constitutional body responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country. The Election Commission of India ensures that the elections are conducted in a transparent and impartial manner and that the results reflect the will of the people.

In summary, the members of the Lok Sabha are elected or appointed from the different states and union territories of India, or from a field of particular expertise. The elections to the Lok Sabha take place every five years, and they are based on the principle of universal adult franchise. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to vote to every citizen, and it is conducted by the Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections.

State Representation in the Lok Sabha:

• Members are directly elected by the people from the states’ territorial constituencies.
• The Universal Adult Franchise was used as an election principle.
• Any Indian citizen over the age of 18 is eligible to vote.

Note: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years.

Union Territories’ Lok Sabha Representation:

• Parliament has the authority to select members from the UTs in any way it sees fit.
• Election Principle – Direct Election

Note: The Union Territories (Direct Election to the House of the People) Act, 1965, established a direct election system for Lok Sabha members from union territories.

Nominated Members’ Representation in the Lok Sabha:

If the Anglo-Indian Community is underrepresented, the President nominates two members.

Note: The provision for nominating Anglo-Indians was extended until 2020 by the 95th Amendment Act of 2009.

Facts about Lok Sabha elections for UPSC

• The first Lok Sabha election was held in 1952. There were 489 seats up for grabs. Congress won 364 of the 489 seats available. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.
• The Lok Sabha elections in 2019 were the country’s 17th General Elections. Elections were held for 552 seats. The BJP won 303 of the 552 seats. The Prime Minister is Narendra Modi.
• Only 22 women were elected in 1952, while 49 women candidates were elected in 2014.
• Lok Sabha elections are held using a first-past-the-post electoral system.

Who is Lok Sabha Speaker?

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a highly respected and influential figure in the Indian Parliament. He or she is a member of the Lok Sabha who is elected by the members of the house, from amongst themselves. As the head of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functioning of the house and ensuring that the proceedings are conducted in a fair and orderly manner.

The Speaker is responsible for maintaining discipline in the house, and ensuring that the debates are conducted in a respectful and dignified manner. He or she is also responsible for interpreting the rules of the house and ensuring that they are followed by all members. In addition, the Speaker is responsible for certifying and announcing the results of voting on various bills and motions.

The Speaker has the power to recognize members to speak, to put a question to vote, and to adjourn the house in case of disorder. Furthermore, the speaker has the power to expel a member from the house in case of unruly behavior, which is a very rare occurrence.

In the absence of the Speaker, no proceedings in the Lok Sabha take place. This is to ensure that the house is always chaired by a person who is elected by the members and who has the authority and expertise to conduct the proceedings in an orderly and impartial manner.

In summary, The Speaker of Lok Sabha is a highly respected and influential figure who is elected by the members of the house from amongst themselves. He or she chairs the house and ensures that the proceedings are conducted in a fair, orderly, and dignified manner. The speaker has the power to maintain discipline in the house, interpret the rules of the house, and adjourn or expel a member in case of unruly behavior. Additionally, no proceedings in the Lok Sabha take place in his or her absence, highlighting the importance of the role played by the speaker in the functioning of the Indian Parliament.

Facts about Lok Sabha Speaker for UPSC:

1. Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar (1952-1956) was the first Lok Sabha Speaker (died in office)

In 1956, Ananthasayanam Ayyanagar was elected as Lok Sabha Speaker and served until 1957.

2. Ms. Sumitra Mahajan was elected as the Lok Sabha speaker following the 16th Lok Sabha elections.
3. Om Birla is the speaker of the Lok Sabha following the 17th Lok Sabha elections (2019 General Elections). (For more information on the Lok Sabha Speaker, see the linked article.)

Lok Sabha Constituencies

In India, the Lok Sabha elections are held in 543 constituencies. There are numerous concerns that aspirants have regarding Lok Sabha constituencies. The following are answers to a few questions about Lok Sabha constituencies that you might know for the UPSC Prelims:

The Lok Sabha and key articles of the Indian Constitution

The following are key articles of the Indian Constitution concerning Lok Sabha:

Aspirants can read more about the important articles of the Indian Constitution in the linked article.

What Are the Most Important Lok Sabha Amendment Acts?

You can read more about the important amendments to the Indian Constitution in the linked article.

UPSC Questions About the Lok Sabha

Check out the table below for the important questions related to the topic ‘Lok Sabha’: