Lok Sabha — The House of the People (India)

Composition and representation

Seats are allocated to States and Union Territories on the basis of population subject to periodic delimitation and statutory rules. The constitutional maximum is commonly stated as 552 members, which has been interpreted to include representatives from the States, Union Territories, and a small number of nominated members in certain circumstances. Some seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes so as to ensure representation of these communities. The specific distribution of seats is adjusted by delimitation exercises and parliamentary enactments, and has been subject to temporary freezes and adjustments over time to balance representation and demographic change.

Election, term and dissolution

Members of the Lok Sabha are elected for a term of five years, after which the house normally dissolves and a general election is held. The President formally summons and may dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Council of Ministers. In extraordinary circumstances when a national emergency is in force, the Constitution and statutes provide mechanisms by which the life of the Lok Sabha may be extended: such an extension requires formal processes including a proclamation and enabling legislation and is ordinarily limited to periods of up to one year at a time, subject to further parliamentary approval (proclamation).

Powers and functions

The Lok Sabha is central to India’s parliamentary democracy. Money bills and budgetary proposals must originate in the Lok Sabha, and the house exercises decisive control over public finances. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and must retain its confidence; a successful vote of no‑confidence will normally require the government to resign or seek dissolution. Ordinary legislation may be introduced in either house, but the Lok Sabha’s position is especially important because joint sittings to resolve disagreements between the two Houses give precedence to its majority. The Speaker, elected from among members, presides over proceedings and enforces rules and conventions.

Day‑to‑day work of the house is supported by an extensive committee system: departmental standing committees, the Public Accounts Committee, estimates and other oversight bodies examine policy, expenditure and administration. Parliamentary instruments such as Question Hour, Zero Hour, private members’ business, debates and motions enable members to hold the executive to account and raise constituency concerns.

Procedure, sessions and meeting place

The Lok Sabha meets in the Lok Sabha Chamber of Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi, located on Sansad Marg, and the building is the regular venue for full sittings and, when required, joint sittings with the Rajya Sabha (Lok Sabha Chambers). Parliamentary business is organised into sessions—commonly described as Budget, Monsoon and Winter sessions—during which government business, scrutiny, legislation and questions are scheduled. The Secretariat supports procedural administration and publishes authoritative records of proceedings.

History and significance

The Lok Sabha was established by the Constitution at the founding of the Republic and first met after India’s inaugural general elections in the early 1950s. Since then it has been the principal forum for national legislation and government formation. Every general election can alter the composition and political balance of the house; official archives record the outcome of past polls and the formation of successive Lok Sabhas (past Lok Sabhas, 17th Lok Sabha).

• Constitutional framework and membership ceiling: Constitution.
• General election data and historical lists: election record.
• Nominated members and representation: nominated membership, Anglo‑Indian community.
• Union Territories and state allocations: Union Territories, delimitation notes.
• Executive roles, proclamation and emergency provisions: President, proclamation, emergency, one year.
• Recent formation and records of the current house: 17th Lok Sabha.
• Meeting place and chamber information: Lok Sabha Chambers.