History and Civics

Class VIII
Chapter-11
The Union Legislature
Back Exercise (Q/Ans)

C2. In a parliamentary system of government, the supreme power lies with the body of the
people’s representatives called the Parliament.

C3. It consists of the President, the two Houses- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

C4. 20 members

C5.

• A candidate must be a citizen of India.

• He/She must be above 25 years of age.
• People who are in government service, or those who are insolvent or mentally unsound
are not eligible.
• A candidate cannot be a member of the Rajya Sabha or any other legislature at the same
time.

C6. (a) Rajya Sabha (b) Members of State Legislative Assemblies

C7. Vice President of India

D2. (a)

• The Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 552 members.

• 530 members are elected from the states.
• 20 members are elected from the Union Territories.
• The President nominates 2 members from the Anglo-Indian Community.

D2. (b)

• The members are elected for a term of five years.

• If the ruling party loses its majority, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha before its
term is over.
• In case of an emergency, the term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by one year.

D2. (c)

• The members of the Lok Sabha elect the presiding officer or the Speaker from among
themselves.
 • All members have to take an oath of loyalty to the Indian Constitution in the presence of
the Speaker.
• The Speaker supervises the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and maintains order and
discipline in the House.

D3. (a)

• There can be a maximum of 250 members. 238 members represent the States and Union
Territories.
• The members of the state legislative assemblies elect the members of the Rajya Sabha.
• President nominates 12 members. These are people who have distinguished themselves
in the fields of art, literature, science and social service.
• The Vice President is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. She/ He is the ex-officio
chairperson.

D3. (b)

• The members should be citizens of India.

• They must be 30 years of age or above.
• People who are in government service, or those who are insolvent or mentally unsound
are not eligible.

D3. (c)

• Each member is elected for a term of six years.

• One-third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by new members.