With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution. 2. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. 3. A bill in regard to which the President of India notified his/her intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents9
- A1 only
- B1 and 2
- C2 and 3
- D3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1 and 2
Correct Answer: (b) Statements 1 and 2.
What LAPSES when Lok Sabha dissolves:
Statement 1: A bill pending in Lok Sabha — LAPSES. ✓ CORRECT.
Statement 2: A bill passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha — LAPSES. ✓ CORRECT.
What does NOT lapse:
Statement 3: A bill for which the President has notified a joint sitting — does NOT lapse. ✗ WRONG. This is a key exception.
Also remember:
- Bills pending in Rajya Sabha (not yet passed by Lok Sabha) do NOT lapse.
- Bills passed by both Houses awaiting Presidential assent do NOT lapse.
Easy rule: If Lok Sabha hasn't finished with it, or has passed it but Rajya Sabha hasn't — it lapses. Joint sitting notification saves the bill.
When Lok Sabha dissolves, most pending bills lapse except those where the President has already notified intention for a joint sitting.
The joint sitting notification is a rare constitutional mechanism that saves bills from lapsing - only used 3 times in Indian history for specific deadlocked legislation.
Lapsing of Bills on Lok Sabha Dissolution
Indian Polity bill pending dissolution lapses
Lapsing of Bills on Lok Sabha Dissolution: Rules & Exceptions
Bills pending in Lok Sabha or passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha lapse on dissolution
Bills with Presidential joint sitting notification do NOT lapse - key exception
Bills pending only in Rajya Sabha (not touched by Lok Sabha) do NOT lapse
When Lok Sabha dissolves, the fate of pending bills depends on their exact stage in the legislative process. The Constitution creates specific rules about which bills lapse and which survive.
Bill Status & Lapsing Rules
Bill Status | Lapses? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
Pending in Lok Sabha | YES | Dissolution ends all pending business |
Passed by Lok Sabha, pending in Rajya Sabha | YES | Lok Sabha's work becomes invalid |
Pending only in Rajya Sabha (not yet to Lok Sabha) | NO | Rajya Sabha is permanent, continues |
Joint sitting notified by President | NO | Special constitutional protection |
Passed by both Houses, awaiting Presidential assent | NO | Legislative process complete |
Question Analysis
Statement 3 is the trap - students often assume all bills lapse on dissolution. The Presidential joint sitting notification creates a special exception that saves the bill from lapsing.
Statement 3 trap: Joint sitting notification by President saves the bill - it does NOT lapse
Rajya Sabha confusion: Bills pending ONLY in Rajya Sabha (never sent to Lok Sabha) do NOT lapse
Presidential assent stage: Bills passed by both Houses but awaiting President's signature do NOT lapse
Joint Sitting of Parliament
Indian Polity joint sitting President
Joint Sitting of Parliament: Procedure & Constitutional Provisions
President can summon joint sitting when both Houses disagree on a bill
Article 108 provides for joint sitting - not applicable to Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills
Lok Sabha Speaker presides over joint sitting due to larger membership
Joint sitting resolves deadlocks between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when they cannot agree on ordinary bills. It's a constitutional mechanism under Article 108 to ensure legislative business doesn't get permanently stuck.
When Joint Sitting Called
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Bill passed by one House**
Usually Lok Sabha passes first`"]
s2["`**Other House rejects/amends/delays 6+ months**
Rajya Sabha creates deadlock`"]
s3["`**President issues notification**
Summons both Houses for joint sitting`"]
s4["`**Joint sitting decides by majority**
Lok Sabha usually wins due to larger numbers`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Constitutional Limits
Money Bills: No joint sitting allowed - Rajya Sabha can only delay 14 days
Constitutional Amendment Bills: Need special majority in each House separately
State subjects: Joint sitting possible for bills affecting states
Money Bill exception: Joint sitting is NOT available for Money Bills - common confusion
Speaker vs Chairman: Lok Sabha Speaker presides, not Rajya Sabha Chairman
Article mix-up: Article 108 for joint sitting, Article 110 for Money Bills
Rajya Sabha as Permanent House
Indian Polity Rajya Sabha pending
Rajya Sabha: Permanent Nature & Legislative Continuity
Rajya Sabha never dissolves - only 1/3rd members retire every 2 years
Bills pending in Rajya Sabha continue even when Lok Sabha dissolves
Provides continuity to legislative process during Lok Sabha elections
Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that never dissolves completely. This permanence ensures legislative continuity when Lok Sabha dissolves for elections.
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha Duration
Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 5 years (can be dissolved earlier) | Permanent (never dissolves) |
Member tenure | 5 years (all together) | 6 years (1/3rd retire every 2 years) |
Dissolution effect | All business lapses | Business continues normally |
Emergency extension | Can be extended during emergency | No extension needed - permanent |
Why Permanent Structure
Federal representation: States need continuous voice in Parliament
Legislative continuity: Prevents complete halt during Lok Sabha dissolution
Stability: Senior members provide institutional memory
1/3rd retirement: Only one-third retires every 2 years, not half - precision matters
6-year term: Individual Rajya Sabha members serve 6 years, not 5 like Lok Sabha
State representation: Rajya Sabha represents states, Lok Sabha represents people directly