India adopted the British Parliamentary system to ensure accountability of the executive to the legislature. While it provides representation and responsibility, challenges like instability, coalition politics, and cabinet dictatorship persist. The debate continues whether India should move towards a Presidential system for stability or retain Parliamentary democracy for accountability.

India adopted the Parliamentary system for ensuring accountability, though it is less stable compared to the Presidential model. The Presidential system ensures stability with strict separation of powers, while the Semi-Presidential system balances both. Comparison with the British model highlights India’s republican and constitutional supremacy.

The Union Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. It represents citizens, ensures government accountability, regulates public expenditure, and builds national leadership. It consists of the President, Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha under Part V (Articles 79–122).

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the Upper House of Parliament. Its maximum strength is 250, with members representing states, Union Territories, and 12 nominated members. It ensures representation of states at the national level and plays a key role in law-making and checks on the executive.

Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by State and UT legislatures using proportional representation through a single transferable vote. Members serve staggered six-year terms, making Rajya Sabha a permanent house. It represents states, revises legislation, prevents hasty laws, and ensures federal balance.

The Lok Sabha, or House of the People, is the lower house of Parliament and the main representative body of citizens. It was constituted on 17th April 1952 after the first general elections. With a maximum strength of 550 (Article 81), it currently has 543 elected members, representing states and Union Territories.

Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people through universal adult franchise using the First Past the Post (FPTP) system. Each state is divided into territorial constituencies based on population. Special provisions exist for SC/ST reservations. The term is 5 years but can be dissolved earlier or extended during a National Emergency.

Rajya Sabha (Upper House) represents the states while Lok Sabha (Lower House) represents the people directly. Lok Sabha holds greater powers in money matters and can dissolve, while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body providing checks, expertise, and continuity.

Rajya Sabha, though the Upper House with limited control over the executive and finances, enjoys unique constitutional powers that strengthen federalism and ensure balance in the Indian parliamentary system.

Article 101 of the Indian Constitution provides the conditions under which a seat in Parliament becomes vacant. It ensures accountability, prevents dual membership, and upholds discipline in legislative functioning.

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for maintaining order, regulating proceedings, and safeguarding parliamentary democracy. The office continues even after the dissolution of the Lok Sabha until the first sitting of the new House.

The role of the Speaker varies across democracies. While the British model ensures neutrality in practice, the Indian Speaker is expected to be neutral but often criticized for partisanship. The American model openly allows party affiliation. Impartiality of the Speaker is crucial for sustaining parliamentary democracy.

The Speaker plays a crucial role in upholding parliamentary democracy but faces controversies over impartiality in disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law. Important Supreme Court rulings highlight the need for reforms, including proposals for independent tribunals.

The Deputy Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha members from among themselves and presides in the absence of the Speaker. While enjoying similar powers, the Deputy Speaker is directly responsible to the House and not subordinate to the Speaker. As of the 17th Lok Sabha, the post remains vacant.

Apart from the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, other important presiding positions include the Speaker Pro tem, Panel of Chairpersons, Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and Panel of Vice-Chairpersons. These ensure smooth functioning of both Houses in absence of permanent presiding officers.

The Speaker Pro tem is a temporary presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, appointed by the President, to conduct the first sitting until the new Speaker is elected. Usually, the senior-most member is chosen for this role.

Leaders in Parliament ensure smooth coordination between government, opposition, and parties. While the Leader of the House represents the ruling side, the Leader of Opposition provides checks and balances. Whips, appointed by parties, maintain discipline and ensure voting strength.

Parliament functions through sessions (Budget, Monsoon, Winter). The President summons each session, and the maximum gap cannot exceed 6 months (Article 85). Key terms like adjournment, prorogation, and dissolution regulate continuity of Parliament. Lok Sabha dissolution impacts pending bills, but Rajya Sabha as a permanent body ensures legislative continuity.

Question Hour is the first hour of every parliamentary sitting. It is a crucial device to ensure accountability of the executive to Parliament. Members can ask starred, unstarred, or short-notice questions, keeping ministers answerable on governance and policy matters.

Zero Hour, unique to India since 1962, allows MPs to raise urgent issues without prior notice, right after Question Hour. Motions, on the other hand, are formal devices used to initiate discussions on matters of public interest, with different types such as substantive, substitute, and subsidiary.

Apart from Question Hour and Zero Hour, Parliament has devices like Point of Order, Short Duration Discussions, Half-an-hour Discussions, Special Mentions, and Resolutions to ensure accountability, transparency, and deliberation.

Legislative proposals in India are introduced in the form of Bills. They may be government bills or private bills and are classified into ordinary bills, money bills, financial bills, etc. Article 110 defines Money Bills. Bills are the backbone of the legislative process as they transform into laws after parliamentary approval and presidential assent.

Ordinary Bills and Money Bills differ in scope, introduction, procedure, and the role of Rajya Sabha. Money Bills deal only with financial matters under Article 110 and have a restricted procedure, while Ordinary Bills cover general matters and require approval of both Houses.

Money Bills (Art. 110), Financial Bills (Art. 117) and Constitution Amendment Bills differ in scope, procedure, and role of President and Rajya Sabha. Money Bills are most restrictive, Financial Bills (A & B) allow greater Rajya Sabha role, while Constitution Amendment Bills require special procedure under Article 368.

The legislative procedure ensures detailed scrutiny of bills through three readings in each House, followed by the President’s assent. In case of deadlock between the Houses, a Joint Sitting under Article 108 can be summoned.

Article 112 of the Constitution defines the Union Budget as the 'Annual Financial Statement'. It involves multiple stages—from presentation by the Finance Minister to the passage of Appropriation and Finance Bills. The process ensures accountability, transparency, and parliamentary control over public finances.

Cut Motions are tools available only in the Lok Sabha during the budget process. They allow members to question or reduce specific demands for grants, thereby ensuring financial accountability of the executive. Though rarely passed (due to majority support for government), they hold significant importance as instruments of opposition scrutiny.

Budgetary control in India operates through Demand for Grants (voted expenditure), Charged Expenditure (non-votable but discussable), and additional mechanisms like Vote on Account, Supplementary and Excess Grants, and Guillotine. These ensure both legislative oversight and institutional independence.