UPSC Prelims 2016 Q1: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.
2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse
on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
When does a Bill lapse?
Prorogation ends a session; it does not make any Bill lapse (Article 107).
Dissolution ends the Lok Sabha itself; some Bills lapse.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation | Incorrect | Prorogation lapses only pending notices, not Bills |
| 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha | Correct | The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House |
Effect of dissolution of the Lok Sabha:
| Bill | Lapses? |
|---|---|
| Pending in the Lok Sabha (wherever it began) | Yes |
| Passed by the Lok Sabha, pending in the Rajya Sabha | Yes |
| Pending in the Rajya Sabha, not passed by the Lok Sabha | No |
| Passed by both Houses, awaiting assent | No |
| Joint sitting already notified by the President | No |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. A Bill does not lapse on prorogation; only notices do.
- (b) CORRECT. A Bill pending only in the Rajya Sabha survives dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; prorogation has no effect on pending Bills.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is true; the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved.
Key point
Prorogation: no Bill lapses. Dissolution: Bills touched by the Lok Sabha lapse; Bills pending only in the Rajya Sabha do not (Article 107).
Remember
Prorogation never lapses a Bill; dissolution can.
Common mistakes
- Confusing prorogation (end of a session) with dissolution (end of the House).
- Thinking every pending Bill lapses when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.
- Forgetting that a Bill awaiting the President's assent does not lapse.
Exam tip
If the Lok Sabha has touched the Bill and it is still pending, it lapses on dissolution.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 107 and 108
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapter on Parliament (lapsing of Bills)