Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
House of the People vs Council of States — unequal powers by design in a federal parliamentary system.
Start here
Lok Sabha is the directly elected lower House of Parliament representing the people; Rajya Sabha is the indirectly elected upper House representing states and Union territories with a permanent, staggered membership.
India is bicameral not for symmetry but for balance: popular will (Lok Sabha) plus state interests and sober second thought (Rajya Sabha). Exams focus on where powers are equal vs where Lok Sabha leads.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Money Bills | Introduced here only | No amend/reject; 14-day window |
| Special power | No-confidence motion | Art. 249 — Parliament on State List |
| Minimum age | 25 years | 30 years |
| Maximum strength | 552 (530 states + 20 UTs + 2 nominated Anglo-Indian — latter abolished) | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| Joint sitting (Art. 108) | Speaker presides; resolves deadlocks on ordinary bills | Cannot be convened for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills |
| Dissolution | Dissolved every 5 years or earlier | Continuous House — never dissolved |
At a glance
Election
Direct (adult franchise)
Indirect (MLAs + nominated)
Tenure
5 years; dissolvable
Permanent; 1/3 retire every 2 years
Presiding officer
Speaker
Chairman (Vice-President, ex-officio)
Money Bill on GST compensation
A Money Bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha gets 14 days to suggest changes — Lok Sabha may ignore them. The bill still passes. That is why classification as Money Bill matters (debated in cases like Aadhaar Act).
What this means for the exam
Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill — only delay with recommendations.
Prelims statement check
“Rajya Sabha can reject a Money Bill with a simple majority.”
Incorrect — Money Bill power
Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend Money Bills.
“Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in constitutional amendment bills.”
Correct — Amendment bills
Both houses must pass amendment bills; neither alone suffices.
PYQ Linkage
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in:
Key Takeaway
Lok Sabha = money + confidence | Rajya Sabha = states + delay on ordinary bills | Equal on constitutional amendments