THINK TANK PRS LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
![LS polls: 105 winning candidates' education between class 5 and 12](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110761888,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/ls-polls-105-winning-candidates-education-between-class-5-and-12.jpg)
LS polls: 105 winning candidates' education between class 5 and 12
About 19% of winning candidates in the recent elections declared their educational qualifications between class 5 and 12, while 77% had graduate degrees or higher, as per the Association of Democratic Reforms. Notably, all 121 candidates who declared themselves illiterate lost. Agriculture and social work were prominent professions among MPs.
![Lok Sabha polls: 280 MPs elected for first time](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110761218,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/lok-sabha-polls-280-mps-elected-for-first-time.jpg)
Lok Sabha polls: 280 MPs elected for first time
The 18th Lok Sabha will see 280 new MPs, an increase from the 2019 elections. 263 new MPs have previously served in Lok Sabha, and 16 have been Rajya Sabha members. Out of 53 ministers, 35 have won. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the largest party with 240 seats, followed by the Indian National Congress (INC) and Samajwadi Party.
![Average age of MPs elected to 18th Lok Sabha stands at 56: PRS Legislative Research](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110760917,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/average-age-of-mps-elected-to-18th-lok-sabha-stands-at-56-prs-legislative-research.jpg)
Average age of MPs elected to 18th Lok Sabha stands at 56: PRS Legislative Research
PRS Legislative Research analysis: Average age of 18th Lok Sabha MPs is 56 (down from 59). BJP leads with 240 seats, followed by Congress (99) and Samajwadi Party (37). Youngest winners are Pushpendra Saroj, Priya Saroj (25); oldest is T R Baalu (82).
![PM Modi turned Parliament into 'deep, dark chamber': Derek O'Brien](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110495775,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/news/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/pm-modi-turned-parliament-into-deep-dark-chamber-derek-obrien.jpg)
PM Modi turned Parliament into 'deep, dark chamber': Derek O'Brien
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien criticized the outgoing Lok Sabha for its "dubious firsts," accusing Prime Minister Modi of turning Parliament into a "deep, dark chamber." O'Brien noted the absence of a deputy speaker, the Prime Minister's failure to answer questions, and a record-low number of sittings. He also highlighted opposition MPs' suspensions, security breaches, and deletion of questions.
![India's monumental election logistics: A global showcase of democratic process](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110413232,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/indias-monumental-election-logistics-a-global-showcase-of-democratic-process.jpg)
India's monumental election logistics: A global showcase of democratic process
India is conducting the world's largest democratic election with 968.8 million registered voters. This massive process, nearly three times the U.S. population, is being held in seven phases, ending on June 1, with results expected on June 4. Sanjay Pulipaka of the Politeia Research Foundation highlighted the immense logistics involved, managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) through efforts like using the Aadhaar system for voter registration and special outreach for marginalized groups.
![US Elections: Why Republicans are focusing on voting by noncitizens](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-110327454,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/nri/latest-updates/us-elections-why-republicans-are-focusing-on-voting-by-noncitizens.jpg)
US Elections: Why Republicans are focusing on voting by noncitizens
House Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on noncitizen voting, claiming it undermines election integrity. They aim to roll back D.C. law allowing noncitizens to vote locally, require proof of citizenship to register, and remove noncitizens from voter rolls, despite low instances of noncitizen voting.
Seven states held assembly sessions stretching for over six months in 2023 with long adjournments: Report
State assemblies in India met for an average of 22 days in 2023, with an average duration of five hours. Seven states continued sessions for over six months without proroguing them, with long gaps between sittings. The Constitution mandates state legislature sessions to be held at least once every six months. Almost 62% of sittings were held during the budget session. In 2023, over 500 bills and state budgets worth over Rs 53 lakh crore were passed.
How nations are losing a global race to tackle AI's harms
EU lawmakers had gotten input from thousands of experts for three years about AI, when the topic was not even on the table in other countries. The result was a "landmark" policy that was "future-proof," declared Margrethe Vestager, EU's head of digital policy. Then came ChatGPT.
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha worked more than scheduled time during special session
During a special session of Parliament, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha worked more than their scheduled time. The special session concluded a day ahead of schedule and saw the passing of the women's reservation bill. According to data compiled by PRS Legislative Research, the Lok Sabha worked for over 31 hours, while the Rajya Sabha worked for 27 hours 44 minutes.
Women reservation bill: History of women representation in Parliament over the years
The percentage of women's representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in India has historically been low, with the Lok Sabha reaching double digits only in 2009. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to increase women's participation in policy-making at the state and national levels.
Lok Sabha functioned for 45 hours, Rajya Sabha 31 hours : Think tank data on Budget Session
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House held discussions on the General Budget for 14.45 hours, and 145 MPs participated in it. Discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address were held for 13 hours and 44 minutes with the participation of 143 MPs.
DPIIT to seek cabinet nod for bill to decriminalise minor offences to ensure ease of doing business
The department is in the final stages to approach the Cabinet for The Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 as it is targeting to introduce the bill in the forthcoming winter session of parliament, reported PTI citing officials.
NPPA ropes in Delhi-based think tank to study global drug pricing policies
Bridge Policy Think Tank, a legal research foundation which undertakes legislative and policy research, has been asked to do a comparative study of drug pricing policies of the UK, US, Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka Bangladesh, European Union, Thailand, China and South Africa, among other countries and regions.
Tech policy think tanks write to govt urging stronger encryption to strengthen cyber security in India
Technology policy think tanks and digital freedom advocates have written to the National Security Council Secretariat urging stronger encryption requirements, improved breach disclosure norms and use of open-source software while encouraging free flow of data across borders, as part of suggestions to strengthen cyber security in India.
Opposition's no to extending Parliament session: Sources
Leaders of various opposition parties then categorically told the union ministers present in the meeting that they were against extension of the session.
Govt mulling extension of ongoing Parliament session by 2-3 days: Source
At the BJP's parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the session can be extended, if required.
Productivity of Lok Sabha in Winter Session 47%, Rajya Sabha 27%: Narendra Singh Tomar
According to data collated by think-tank PRS Legislative Research, productivity of Parliament during the session was the "third lowest" in the 16th Lok Sabha.
One of least productive question hours of 16th Lok Sabha: Think tank
While Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die Tuesday, Rajya Sabha's sitting was extended for a day and the session is likely to conclude Wednesday.
Monsoon session: Most productive for Lok Sabha since 2000
According to the data compiled by PRS Legislative Research, 20 bills were introduced during the session and 12 were passed.
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