India
Council of States
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Oversight
Oversight tools
- Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
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Yes
Sources: The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States
- Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
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Yes
Sources: The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States
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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
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No
- Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
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Yes
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Number of written questions asked, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.
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9,553(2022)
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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered
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9,553(2022)
Notes: Figures refer to the number of "Notices of Questions" received for written answers.
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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.
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100.0%(2022)
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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.
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Yes
Sources: As per practice, Committees for inquiry may be constituted either by the House on a motion moved and adopted, or by the Chairman/ Speaker on the basis of the consensus in the House, or jointly by both the Houses on the motion adopted by one House and concurred in by the other House or by the Presiding Officers of both the Houses in consultation with each other. Such Committees are ad-hoc Committees because they become functus officio after presentation of the report.
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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.
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0(2022)
Notes: No ad-hoc committee for inquiry was constituted between 2013-2017. However, the Standing Committee on Ethics submitted an Inquiry Report in 2016 on the non-disclosure of liabilities.
Head of State and/or Government
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Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
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Other
Notes: After declaration of the results of General Elections, the President of India calls upon the leader of the party/ coalition that has secured the majority of seats in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) to form the Government. The leader of the party/coalition is appointed by the President as the Prime Minister (Head of the Government). The other Ministers of the Government are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Sources: Constitution, Article 75(1)
- The Head of Government is also the Head of State
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No
- Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
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Parliament elects the Head of State
Notes: The executive powers of the Union is vested in the President (Head of the State).
Sources: Constitution, art. 53
Impeachment and confidence motions
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Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
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No
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Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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No information available
Impeachment procedure
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There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
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The whole GovernmentIndividual members of the ExecutiveOther
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Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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Lower chamber
Notes: The Vice-President of India (there is also a procedure for Parliament to dismiss certain senior officials, including the President and Vice-President of Lok Sabha, Supreme Court judges, Comptroller and Auditor General, The judges of the High Courts of States, Chief Electoral Commissioner).
Sources: Constitution, Article 75 (3), 67(b), 90(c), 124(4), 148(1), 179(c), 183(c), 217(b), 243K(2)
No confidence processes
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There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
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The whole Government
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Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
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Lower chamber
Sources: Constitution, Article 75 (3)