The Role of the Parliament in Indian Democracy

Abstract

The Parliament of India is a central institution of representative democracy and performs important legislative, deliberative, financial, representative, and accountability functions. Comprising the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Parliament provides a constitutional forum for elected and represented members to debate public issues, enact legislation, approve public expenditure, and scrutinize the executive. Parliamentary committees further support detailed examination of legislation, administration, and public finances. This paper examines nine major dimensions of the role of Parliament in Indian democracy, including law-making, representation, executive accountability, financial control, public debate, parliamentary committees, constitutional functions, citizen interests, and contemporary challenges.