70 years of Parliament

 

On May 13, 2022, Parliament completes 70 years since its first sitting.  The first session of the first Lok Sabha (LS) and Rajya Sabha (RS) commenced on May 13, 1952.  Currently, the 17^th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) is ongoing.  In this note, we look at how the membership and functioning of the Parliament have changed since its first session.      

Fewer young MPs in Lok Sabha; slow increase in number of women MPs
The share of MPs in the 25-40 age bracket has gradually declined, from 26% in the first LS to 12% in 17th LS.   The number of women MPs has seen a gradual increase.  15% of MPs in current LS and 12% MPs in RS are women.  However, representation of women in Parliament is low when compared to other countries such as the UK, where the House of Commons has 35% women and the House of Lords has 29%, Canada where the Lower House has 31% women MPs and Upper House has 49%, and South Africa where the Lower House has 47% women MPs in the Lower House and Upper House has 37%.
More MPs with a higher education
58% of MPs in the first LS had at least an undergraduate degree, which increased to about 80% in the 13th LS, after which it has declined marginally.   In the first LS, the most common profession of MPs was lawyer (32%), which has come down over the years (only 4% in the 17th LS).  More MPs now declare their profession as social and political worker (from none in the first LS to 38% in 17th LS).
Each MP now represents more citizens
			The population of India has increased 3.6 times from about 38 crore in 1952 to about 136 crore in 2019.  However, the number of seats in Lok Sabha has only increased by 11% from 489 to 543 during the same period.  As a result, the number of citizens represented by an MP has substantially increased from about eight lakh in 1952 to about 25 lakh in 2019.
Parliament has been sitting for lesser days, passing fewer Bills
	Sitting days in LS have declined from an annual average of 121 days during 1952-70 to 68 days since 2000. Fewer Bills are being passed by Parliament over the past few years.  Of all Lok Sabhas that have had a five year term, maximum number of Bills were passed during the 8th LS (355), the least during 15th LS (192).
Fewer Bills being referred to Standing Committees
			Parliamentary Standing Committees were created in 1993 to assist Parliament in its legislative and financial business.  Since 2004, of the total Bills introduced in the Parliament, only 45% have been referred to Committees. The decline has been more in recent years where 16th and 17th LS (ongoing) have seen lesser Bills being sent to Committees.  This is unlike other countries such as United Kingdom where all Bills (other than Money Bills) are sent to Committees for examination.
Discussion on Budget in Lok Sabha declining
			Time spent by Lok Sabha on discussing the Union Budget (including ministry-wise allocations) has been declining since the 1990s.  Note that Parliamentary Standing Committees that were constituted in 1993 scrutinise funds allocated to all ministries.  Since 1952, there have been four instances where the Budget has been passed without discussing ministry wise allocations.
Fewer trust votes in recent years after 11th Lok Sabha
		The first No Confidence Motion was moved in 1963.  Till date, 39 trust votes (includes No Confidence Motions and Confidence Motions) have been moved in Lok Sabha.  Of these, there have been five instances (1979, 90, 96, 97, and 99) where the Prime Minister was not able to prove majority on the floor of the House.   Adjournment motions are moved to draw attention of the House to a recent matter of urgent public importance.  The number of such motions has decreased after the 5th LS.  In the 17th LS no adjournment motion has been taken up so far.

Sources: Bulletins of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; Statistical Handbook 2021, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Inter-Parliamentary Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha website; PRS. 

 

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