The President and Parliament

🎯 Learning Objective

Learn how the President is elected and the composition and terms of the two Houses of Parliament.

💡 Concept

• The President of India (Article 52) is the constitutional head of state and the first citizen of India.
• The President is elected by an electoral college of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the state Legislative Assemblies.
• The President's term is five years, and the oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India.
• Parliament (Article 79) consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is directly elected, has a maximum strength of 552, a term of five years, and is presided over by the Speaker.
• Money Bills (Article 110) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
• The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is a permanent house that is never dissolved; one-third of its members retire every two years and a member's term is six years.
• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

✏️ Easy Example

Q. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

1. The Lok Sabha is presided over by the Speaker
2. The Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice-President of India

Answer: The Vice-President of India

🇮🇳 Real-Life Example

How the President is elected, and Lok Sabha versus Rajya Sabha, come up in almost every Polity paper and explain the political news you read during elections and Parliament sessions.

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. A Money Bill can be introduced only in which House of Parliament?

1. The Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes to it
2. A Money Bill (Article 110) starts only in the Lok Sabha

Answer: Lok Sabha

📝 Exam-Level Example

Q. What is the term of a member of the Rajya Sabha?

1. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house with one-third retiring every two years
2. Each member serves a six-year term

Answer: Six years

🪄 Memory Trick

Lok Sabha = 'Lower', led by the Speaker; Rajya Sabha = permanent, chaired by the Vice-President.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• ❌ Thinking the Rajya Sabha can be dissolved — it is a permanent house.
• ❌ Confusing the presiding officers: Speaker for the Lok Sabha, Vice-President (Chairman) for the Rajya Sabha.

🏆 Exam Tips

• ✅ Money Bills start only in the Lok Sabha (Article 110) — a very common one-liner.
• ✅ President's oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India.

📌 Summary

• President (Article 52) elected by an electoral college; term 5 years
• Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
• Lok Sabha: directly elected, Speaker presides, Money Bills start here
• Rajya Sabha: permanent, 6-year terms, chaired by the Vice-President