Current Affairs · · GS2 · Polity

Debate on a larger Lok Sabha turns to how Parliament actually works

The failed bid to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 seats has revived a wider question: how well Parliament debates and scrutinises. PRS data on the 17th Lok Sabha show the fewest sittings of any full-term House and few Bills sent to committees. A Hindu article argues that bigger representation needs a stronger process.

Event date:

REq1
  1. Note1 / 5

    WHY IN NEWS?

    • A Hindu article links the delimitation debate to the quality of parliamentary work.
    • On 17 April 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 failed in the Lok Sabha.
    • It proposed raising the House's strength from 543 to as many as 850 seats, with delimitation on the 2011 Census.
    • It got 298 votes for and 230 against, short of the two-thirds of members present and voting required.
    • The government then withdrew the linked Delimitation Bill, 2026.
  2. Note2 / 5

    THE 17TH LOK SABHA IN NUMBERS

    The table shows PRS Legislative Research findings for the 17th Lok Sabha (June 2019 to February 2024).

    • Sittings: 274, the fewest of any full-term Lok Sabha
    • Bills referred to committees: 16%
    • Question Hour: Functioned for 60% of scheduled time
    • Private Members' Bills: 729 introduced; only 2 discussed
    • Deputy Speaker: Not elected for the full term, a first
    • Budget discussion: About 35 hours a year on average

    The figures point to less time for scrutiny, not just less time in session.

  3. Note3 / 5

    KEY CONCEPTS

    1. What does Article 85 require?

    Parliament must meet so that no more than six months pass between two sessions. It sets no minimum number of sitting days.

    1. What is Question Hour, and what is Zero Hour?

    Question Hour is the first hour of a sitting, when MPs question ministers. Zero Hour follows it and lets MPs raise urgent issues. Zero Hour is a convention, not in the rules.

    1. What is a Private Member's Bill?

    It is a Bill moved by an MP who is not a minister. Few are ever discussed, and very few have become law.

    1. What special majority does Article 368 require?

    A constitutional amendment needs a majority of the House's total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting.

  4. Note4 / 5

    WHY SIZE AND SCRUTINY ARE LINKED

    These points are the article's argument.

    • More members, same hours: A larger House with the same sittings gives each MP less time to speak.
    • Committees matter more: Detailed examination happens in committees, so referral rates are key.
    • Financial accountability: Much spending passes with little debate, weakening Parliament's control over money.
    • Federal balance: Seat shares between States raise concerns for those that slowed population growth.
  5. Note5 / 5

    WAY FORWARD

    These are suggested measures, not approved policy.

    • Fix minimum sittings: The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution recommended at least 120 days a year for the Lok Sabha and 100 for the Rajya Sabha.
    • Refer major Bills to committees as a default.
    • Protect Question Hour and Private Members' time from disruption.
    • Expand research support for MPs if the House grows.
    • Build consensus on delimitation that balances population and federal fairness.

Sources

Syllabus

PaperSubjectSub-topic
GS2PolityParliament structure, functioning and accountability; delimitation and constitutional amendments
PrelimsPolityArticles 85, 93, 118 and 368; parliamentary devices, legislative committees and amendment procedure

Topics

Centre-State RelationsConstitutional BodiesGovernance

Practice questions

  1. Article 85 of the Constitution provides that:

    1. Parliament must sit at least 100 days a year
    2. Six months shall not intervene between two sessions of Parliament
    3. The Speaker must be elected within 30 days
    4. The budget must be passed within 75 days
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It sets the maximum gap between sessions, not a minimum number of sittings.

    Difficulty: easy · statement

  2. Consider the following statements: 1. Zero Hour is provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha. 2. A Private Member's Bill is introduced by an MP who is not a minister. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Zero Hour is an informal parliamentary practice.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

  3. A Constitution Amendment Bill under Article 368 must be passed in each House by:

    1. A simple majority of members present
    2. A majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting
    3. Three-fourths of total membership
    4. A joint sitting
    Show answer

    Answer: B. This is the special majority; joint sittings do not apply to amendment Bills.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

Mains practice

Answer-writing practice on this article. Attempt it first, then open the hints.

  1. GS2 · 250 words

    "Expanding representation without strengthening deliberation may weaken Parliament." Discuss with reference to the functioning of the 17th Lok Sabha.

    Show hints
    1. Sittings, committee referrals
    2. Question Hour
    3. Private Members' Business
    4. budget scrutiny
    5. NCRWC, delimitation and federal balance.