Indian Governance

Making Laws

Central Government

The Parliament makes laws for the whole country. The Parliament comprises two houses : the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. A bill has to be passed by both these houses. A bill becomes a law after the President signs it. The Parliament makes laws on important subjects, such as national highways, defence, external affairs, currency, finance, railways etc.

The Lok Sabha is made up of 545 members who are elected by the people of India. Anyone who is an Indian citizen over the age of 25 can contest the election to become a member. Most members belong to a political party, and the party with the support of over half of the Lok Sabha’s members forms the government. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. The Lok Sabha’s tenure is 5 years. The Rajya Sabha has 245 members who are indirectly elected by the state legislatures. Rajya Sabha members serve for 6 years, with one-third of its members retiring every two years and new members elected in their place.

State Government
Each state has its own legislature, called Vidhan Sabha or Legislative Assembly. People elect its members for a term of 5 years. The Governor appoints the leader of the majority party as the Chief Minister. A Vidhan Sabha makes laws on the state subjects, such as roads, health, agriculture, forestry, law and order etc.

Vidhan Sabha