Q. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in

  • the matter of creating new All India Services
  • amending the Constitution
  • the removal of the government
  • making cut motions

Answer: (b) amending the Constitution

Equal powers of Rajya Sabha in relation to Lok Sabha
  • In the following matters, the powers of the Rajya Sabha are equal to that of the Lok Sabha:
    • Introduction and passage of ordinary bills, Constitutional amendment bills, and financial bills involving expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
    • Election and impeachment of the President.
    • Making recommendations to the President for the removal of the Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court and High courts, Chief Election Commissioner, and Comptroller and Auditor General.
    • Approval of ordinances and proclamation of all three types of emergencies by the President.
    • Selection of ministers, including the Prime Minister. 
    • Consideration of the reports of the constitutional bodies like the Finance Commission, Union Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, etc.
    • Enlargement of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Union Public Service Commission.
Special Powers of Lok Sabha
  • A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha.
    • The final power to decide whether a particular bill is a money bill or not is vested in the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
    • Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It should return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, either with recommendations or without recommendations.
    • The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha. In both cases, the money bill is deemed to have been passed by the two Houses.
  • A financial bill, not containing solely the matters of Article 110, also can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. But, with regard to its passage, both houses have equal powers.
  • The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting of both Houses.
  • Rajya Sabha can only discuss the budget but cannot vote on the demands for grants.
  • A resolution for discontinuing the national emergency can be passed only by the Lok Sabha and not by the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Rajya Sabha cannot remove the council of ministers by passing a no-confidence motion. This is because the council of ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha.
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
  • The Rajya Sabha has been given some special powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha:
    • Article 249: authorize the Parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the state list.
    • Article 312: authorize the Parliament to create new All-India Services.
    • Article 67: The resolution for the removal of the Vice-president can be introduced only in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha.
    • Emergency: If a proclamation is issued by the President for imposing an emergency (National, state, or financial) at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved, then the proclamation can remain effective even if it is approved by the Rajya Sabha alone.