Indian democracy is considered the largest democracy in the world because of political maturity. It’s the world’s second largest country in terms of population, people have direct representation in the legislative processes through regular elections and the right to adult suffrage.
India (Hindi: Bhārat), officially the Republic of India (Hindi: Bhārat Gaṇarājya), is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
The Republic of India (Bharat Ganrajya) is a ‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic’ with a
parliamentary system of government. The Supreme Court of India has described it as a ‘federal structure with a
strong bias towards the Centre’. The Constitution maps out the separation of legislative powers and
responsibilities between the centre and states, classifying competences for the Union, States or ‘Concurrent’.
The Indian Parliament is bicameral. It is comprised of Lok Sabha, the lower house, and Rajya Sabha, the
upper house. These houses have joint legislative powers although Lok Sabha is uniquely responsible for
money bills. Moreover, the government must resign if it loses its majority in Lok Sabha. The Parliament, however, has no say on foreign affairs, including on treaties with other countries. At state level, citizens are represented in Legislative Assemblies known as Vidhan Sabha. In unicameral states this is the sole house, but in the seven states with bicameral system it makes up the lower house. In these cases Vidhan Parishad (the Legislative Council) is the upper house.
Lok Sabha (House of the People): is the only directly elected chamber and represents India’s people. It can have a maximum of 552 members: up to 530 members represent India’s 29 states, and up to 20 members represent the seven Union territories. Two additional members from the Anglo-Indian community can be nominated by the Indian President should they feel that the community is not adequately represented in the house. The current 541 members were elected for a five-year term. Of the 22 languages recognised by the Constitution, 15 are spoken in the house and simultaneously interpreted into Hindi and English, but not vice versa. Rajya Sabha (Council of States, the upper house) consists of up to 250 indirectly elected members, and there are currently 242 members. Of these, 12 are appointed by the President while the rest are elected by the state assemblies or union territories. One third of the house is appointed every two years, and members sit for six-year terms. The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Suhardi, Ph.D 