Consider the following statements : 1. The Rajya Sabha is never dissolved and can be called to session any time at short notice. 2. Under the Constitution of India, the law-making powers of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament are symmetrical. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is correct as the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House not subject to dissolution [4]. It can be called to session even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved to handle urgent business or approve proclamations [4]. Statement 2 is incorrect because the law-making powers are not symmetrical. While both Houses have equal powers regarding ordinary bills [4], the Lok Sabha holds superior authority over Money Bills, which the Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject, or amend [5]. Furthermore, in cases of deadlock on ordinary legislation, a joint sitting is held where the Lok Sabha's larger membership typically prevails [5]. Additionally, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha, further highlighting the constitutional asymmetry in power between the two Houses [3].

Sources

1. [1] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/ElectronicPublications/FAQ.pdf
2. [4] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
3. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
4. [2] https://cuet.iitk.ac.in/sathee-cuet/student-corner/ncert-books/class-11/political-science/indian-constitution-at-work/chapter-05-legislature/
5. [5] Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Two Houses of Parliament > p. 62