Types of Majorities in the Indian Parliament UPSC | Indian Polity

Types of Majorities in the Indian Parliament

 In parliamentary procedures, different types of majorities are required for decision-making depending on the nature of the issue. Below are the types of majorities used in the Indian parliamentary system:

Type	Definition	Where Used	House(s) Involved
Simple Majority	More than 50% of members present and voting	Ordinary Bills, Motions	Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha (depends on case)
Absolute Majority	More than 50% of the total strength of the house	Forming Government	Lok Sabha
Effective Majority	More than 50% of the effective strength of the house (excluding vacancies)	Removal of Vice-President	Both Houses
Special Majority	Two-thirds of present and voting + more than 50% of total strength	Constitutional Amendments, Key Motions	Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
Majority of Total Membership	More than 50% of the total membership	Impeachment of President	Both Houses

1. Simple Majority (Also called Functional Majority)

• Definition: More than 50% of the members present and voting.
• Calculation: Only the members who actually vote (excluding absentees and abstentions) are counted.
• Usage:
  • Passing ordinary bills.
  • Approval of the budget and money bills.
  • Confidence and no-confidence motions.
  • Election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• Example: If 400 members are present and 360 vote, at least 181 votes (50% + 1) are required for a simple majority.

2. Absolute Majority

• Definition: More than 50% of the total membership of the House.
• Calculation: Total membership includes all seats in the House, whether vacant or occupied.
• Usage:
  • Rarely used but may be a prerequisite for certain actions or declarations.
• Example: In the Lok Sabha with 545 seats, at least 273 votes are required for an absolute majority.

3. Effective Majority

• Definition: More than 50% of the effective strength of the House (total membership minus vacant seats).
• Calculation: Takes into account only filled seats, excluding vacancies.
• Usage:
  • Removal of the Vice-President of India.
  • Removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• Example: If there are 545 total Lok Sabha seats but 5 are vacant, the effective strength is 540, so 271 votes (50% + 1) are required.

4. Special Majority (Varies by context)

(i) Special Majority under Article 368:

• Definition: Two-thirds of the members present and voting, plus a majority of the total membership of the House.
• Usage:
  • Amendment of the Constitution.
• Example: In a House with 545 total members and 450 present, at least 300 (two-thirds of 450) must vote in favor, provided it also exceeds 273 (absolute majority).

(ii) Special Majority with Ratification by States:

• Definition: Two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses, along with approval by 50% of state legislatures.
• Usage:
  • Constitutional amendments that affect federal structure.
• Example: GST introduction required this majority.

(iii) Special Majority (Two-thirds Present and Voting):

• Definition: Two-thirds of members present and voting.
• Usage:
  • Impeachment of the President.
  • Approval of a resolution for the removal of Supreme Court/High Court judges.
• Example: If 400 members are present, at least 267 votes are required.

5. Effective Special Majority

• Definition: Two-thirds of members present and voting, excluding vacant seats.
• Usage:
  • Removal of Vice-President.
• Example: Similar to special majority but calculated based on effective strength.

6. Simple Majority of State Legislatures

• Definition: Approval by a simple majority in at least 50% of the state legislatures.
• Usage:
  • Constitutional amendments requiring ratification by states (e.g., GST or changes affecting the federal structure).

Summary Table:

Type	Requirement	Usage
Simple Majority	50% + 1 of members present and voting	Ordinary bills, budget, motions, elections
Absolute Majority	50% + 1 of total membership	Rarely used
Effective Majority	50% + 1 of effective strength	Removal of Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Special Majority	Varies: Two-thirds + total majority or state ratification	Constitutional amendments, impeachment

Each type of majority ensures flexibility while maintaining appropriate checks for different levels of legislative or constitutional actions.