Legislature and Executive

Overview

India follows a parliamentary system of government in which the executive is responsible to the legislature. The Parliament makes laws, while the executive, led by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, carries them out.

Key points

• The Parliament has two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
• Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people; Rajya Sabha members represent the states.
• The legislature makes laws; the executive implements them.
• The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• A bill becomes a law after passing both houses and receiving the President's assent.

Important terms / dates

• Lok Sabha: lower house, directly elected, with a 5-year term.
• Rajya Sabha: upper house, a permanent body representing states.
• Executive: the body that carries out laws.
• Bill: a proposed law placed before Parliament.

Important questions

1. Name the two houses of Parliament and explain how their members are chosen.
2. What is the difference between the legislature and the executive?
3. Distinguish between the roles of the President and the Prime Minister.
4. How does a bill become a law?

Quick revision

In India's parliamentary system, Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) is the law-making legislature, while the President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers form the executive that implements the laws.