GK (Indian Constitution)

Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution provides for 12 nominated members in the Rajya Sabha. These members are nominated by the President and have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. The Rajya Sabha Chairman presides over the house but does not nominate members.

Rajya Sabha members are elected by the members of Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas) of states and union territories. This is through proportional representation and single transferable vote system. They are not directly elected by people, nor by Lok Sabha or Legislative Councils.

Union territories currently have 20 representatives in the Lok Sabha. Delhi has 7 seats, while other UTs like Chandigarh, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, etc. have 1 seat each based on their population. The total is fixed at 20. This number can change through delimitation.

Article 80(4) of the Constitution states that representatives of union territories in the Rajya Sabha shall be chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe. This gives Parliament the authority to decide the election method for UT representatives. The other options incorrectly attribute this power to state assemblies or state laws.

Article 83 of the Constitution deals with the duration of Houses of Parliament. Article 83(1) specifies that Lok Sabha shall continue for 5 years from its first meeting unless dissolved sooner. Article 83(2) addresses Rajya Sabha's permanent nature with staggered terms. The other articles relate to qualification disqualification, oaths, and vacation of seats.

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house with one-third members retiring every 2 years (not 3, 5, or 6 years). This ensures continuity while allowing periodic renewal. The term of an individual member is 6 years, but retirements are staggered so 1/3 retire every 2 years. This is a unique feature of the Council of States.

Under Article 352 (Proclamation of Emergency), the Lok Sabha's term can be extended by one year at a time by Parliament during a national emergency. This extension can continue only while the emergency remains in force. The other options are incorrect as President's rule in a state or constitutional amendments don't affect Lok Sabha duration.

The Rajya Sabha (Council of State) is a permanent house that cannot be dissolved. Unlike the Lok Sabha, which can be dissolved by the President before its term, the Rajya Sabha continues forever with staggered retirements. This permanent nature ensures continuity and federal balance. Lok Sabha is also called House of People.

Article 83 of the Constitution specifies that the Lok Sabha has a term of 5 years from its first meeting unless dissolved earlier. The 5-year term can be extended by Parliament during a national emergency. Four years (A) is incorrect as it's the minimum term before elections can be called, not the constitutional period.

Article 84 of the Constitution specifically outlines the qualifications for membership of Parliament. It specifies requirements like citizenship, age (25 for Lok Sabha, 30 for Rajya Sabha), and other conditions. Article 88 deals with rights of ministers, while 89 relates to the Speaker's role.

Article 327 of the Constitution states that each state shall be divided into 'territorial constituencies' for Lok Sabha elections. The term 'territorial constituencies' is the precise constitutional terminology used. While 'constituencies' (A) is informally correct, 'territorial constituencies' (B) is the exact wording used in the Constitution.

Article 81 of the Constitution fixes the maximum strength of Lok Sabha at 552 members - 530 from states, 20 from Union Territories, and 2 nominated from Anglo-Indian community (though this provision lapsed in 2020). The current actual strength is 543 (530 + 13 + 2 nominated before 2020). 552 represents the constitutional maximum, not current strength.

The President has the constitutional authority to both prorogue (end a session) and dissolve the Lok Sabha under Article 85. Prorogation ends a session without dissolving the house, while dissolution leads to fresh elections. These powers are exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President can prorogue either House but only dissolve the Lok Sabha.

Article 74(1) states that the President shall act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The powers of summoning, proroguing, and dissolving Parliament are exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers, not just the Prime Minister. This ensures collective ministerial responsibility and prevents arbitrary presidential action.

The President summons each House, prorogues (ends sessions of) either House, and can dissolve the Lok Sabha. While dissolution applies only to Lok Sabha (Rajya Sabha is a permanent house), the question asks about activities performed 'in respect of both Houses' - summoning and prorogation apply to both, making option D correct as the President performs all these activities constitutionally.

Article 85(1) mandates that the President shall summon Parliament at least once every six months. This ensures regular legislative sessions and prevents indefinite gaps. The six-month period is the maximum permissible gap between sessions, not the duration of a session. This provision prevents the executive from avoiding legislative scrutiny.

The Union Council of Ministers does not automatically resign or dismiss when Lok Sabha is dissolved. Under Article 75(3), ministers remain in office until the new Lok Sabha meets and a new Council is appointed. This ensures continuity of governance during election periods. The Prime Minister and individual ministers are part of the Council, so the Council as a body continues.

Article 86(2) of the Constitution specifically empowers the President to address and send messages to either House of Parliament. This is distinct from the special address under Article 87. Article 86 allows the President to communicate with Parliament at any time, not just during the mandatory address at the beginning of the first session after general elections.

Article 87(1) mandates that the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the beginning of the first session after each general election and also at the beginning of the first session each year. This is known as the special address outlining the government's policy. It's a constitutional requirement different from the routine address power under Article 86.

The Supreme Court in 'Rao vs. Indira Gandhi (1971)' established that the President's powers to summon, prorogue, or dissolve Houses of Parliament must be exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Acting without such advice would be unconstitutional. This judgment reinforced the constitutional convention of presidential powers being exercised on ministerial advice, making the President a constitutional head.

The Attorney General of India is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India and has the right to speak and participate in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament without being a member. This constitutional privilege is granted under Article 76. The Solicitor General and Advocate General do not have this automatic right to address both Houses.

Article 89 of the Constitution of India specifically deals with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It outlines their election process, removal, and other procedural matters. Articles 90, 93, and 94 deal with other parliamentary offices like the Speaker and Deputy Chairman of state legislatures.

The Rajya Sabha has the constitutional authority to remove its Deputy Chairman by passing a resolution with a majority of all the then members of the House. This power is vested in the House itself, not in external offices like the Speaker or Council of President. The Deputy Chairman is elected from among the members of Rajya Sabha.

Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of the People (Lok Sabha). It outlines their election process, salaries, allowances, and conditions for removal. Articles 95, 98, and 96 deal with other parliamentary matters like the President's address and secretarial staff.

When the Chairman (Vice President of India) is absent, the Deputy Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha sessions. This is a constitutional provision under Article 89. The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister do not have any constitutional role in presiding over Rajya Sabha proceedings.