Sessions, Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament (Article 85)

At a Glance

• What it is How Parliament meets, pauses and ends
• Article Article 85
• Gap No more than six months between two sessions
• Sessions Budget, Monsoon and Winter
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Parliament

Where Does It Fit?

This is the fourth topic of the category on Parliament. The President summons the Houses, they are adjourned or prorogued, and the Lok Sabha may be dissolved. Each device has a different effect on pending business.

Summoning and Sessions

The President from time to time summons each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he or she thinks fit. The maximum gap between two sessions cannot be more than six months, so Parliament must meet at least twice a year. There are usually three sessions: the Budget Session (February to May), the Monsoon Session (July to September) and the Winter Session (November to December). A session is the period between the first sitting of a House and its prorogation (or dissolution, in the case of the Lok Sabha). The period between prorogation and reassembly in a new session is called recess. Each day of meeting consists of two sittings, 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm.

Adjournment, Adjournment Sine Die and Prorogation

A sitting can be terminated by adjournment, adjournment sine die, prorogation or dissolution (for the Lok Sabha). Adjournment suspends work in a sitting for a specified time, which may be hours, days or weeks. Adjournment sine die terminates a sitting for an indefinite period, without naming a day for reassembly. The power of adjournment and adjournment sine die lies with the presiding officer, who can also call a sitting before the date to which it was adjourned or at any time after adjournment sine die. When the business of a session is completed, the presiding officer declares the House adjourned sine die, and within the next few days the President issues a notification for prorogation; the President can also prorogue the House while it is in session.

Dissolution

The Rajya Sabha, being permanent, is not subject to dissolution. Only the Lok Sabha is dissolved. Unlike prorogation, dissolution ends the very life of the existing House, and a new House is constituted after general elections. Dissolution may occur automatically on the expiry of the five-year term (or extended term during a National Emergency), or when the President decides to dissolve the House, which is irrevocable once done. All pending business before the Lok Sabha and its committees lapses on dissolution, including bills, motions, resolutions, notices and petitions, subject to the exceptions covered in the topic on duration.

Quorum, Voting and Languages

Quorum is the minimum number of members required for the House to transact business: one-tenth of the total membership of each House including the presiding officer, that is, 55 in the Lok Sabha and 25 in the Rajya Sabha. If there is no quorum, the presiding officer must adjourn the House or suspend the meeting. All matters at any sitting or joint sitting are decided by a majority of members present and voting, excluding the presiding officer, who votes only in a tie. Hindi and English are the languages for transacting business, though the presiding officer may allow a member to speak in the mother tongue, and simultaneous interpretation is available for the Eighth Schedule languages. Lame-duck sessions were held after the elections of 1957 and 1962 to pass a Vote on Account before the new Lok Sabha was constituted. A lame-duck member is one of the preceding Lok Sabha who could not get re-elected to the new one.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Table question Adjournment versus prorogation is a favourite
• Gap rule Six months is asked often
• Lapse rules Link to dissolution

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the officers of Parliament.

Key People and Terms

• Session Period from first sitting to prorogation
• Recess Period between prorogation and the next session
• Adjournment sine die Indefinite adjournment
• Quorum One-tenth of members
• Lame-duck session Last session of a preceding House

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions on this topic usually ask about the role of the executive in sessions. Use these points to add depth.

• Executive summons The President acts on ministerial advice
• Minimum sittings Constitution fixes only the gap
• Procedural devices Adjournment versus prorogation
• Effect on business Pending bills and notices