What is the lower house of India's Parliament called?

The lower house of India's Parliament is called the Lok Sabha. Its name means “House of the People,” reflecting its role as the chamber whose members are directly elected by India's citizens.

India has a bicameral Parliament: the Lok Sabha is the lower house, while the Rajya Sabha is the upper house. Lok Sabha members represent territorial constituencies and are elected using a first-past-the-post system. The chamber normally has a five-year term, although it may be dissolved earlier.

The Lok Sabha has important powers over money bills and the formation of the Union government. The prime minister and Council of Ministers must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha, and the house can remove the government through a successful no-confidence motion.

A common mix-up is confusing Lok Sabha with Sansad Bhavan. Sansad Bhavan is the Parliament building in New Delhi, not the name of either house. Vidhan Sabha, meanwhile, refers to the legislative assembly of an Indian state.