UPSC Prelims 2020 Q20: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Parliament Sessions: Constitutional Provisions & Flexibility
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | President can summon Parliament at any place he/she thinks fit | TRUE | Article 85(1) gives President power to summon Parliament at any place. Sessions have been held in different venues (Delhi, Shimla historically). |
| 2 | Constitution provides for 3 sessions yearly, not mandatory to conduct all | FALSE | Constitution does NOT specify number of sessions. Article 85 only says President summons Parliament 'from time to time.' Frequency is decided by government, not constitutionally mandated. |
| 3 | No minimum days Parliament must meet yearly | TRUE | No constitutional minimum for days Parliament must sit. Depends on government's legislative agenda. Articles 85-86 are silent on minimum sitting days. |
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 is also correct (no minimum days in Constitution).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is correct (President can summon anywhere).
- (c) CORRECT. Statements 1 (President can summon from any place) and 3 (no constitutional minimum for days) are true. Statement 2 is wrong - Constitution does not mandate 3 sessions.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are both correct; statement 2 is wrong.
Key point
Article 85: President summons Parliament 'from time to time' - any place, any frequency. No constitutional mandate for 3 sessions (that's convention, not law). No minimum days Parliament must meet. All governed by government's decision.
Remember
The President of India can summon Parliament at any place he/she thinks fit (Statement 1 correct). The Constitution does not mandate three sessions yearly - that is a convention (Statement 2 wrong). There is no minimum number of days Parliament is required to meet in a year (Statement 3 correct).
Common mistakes
- Confusing parliamentary convention (3 sessions: Budget, Monsoon, Winter) with constitutional requirement. Convention is binding politically but not legally.
- Assuming Constitutional specificity where there is flexibility. Article 85 is intentionally open-ended.
- Missing that Parliament's sitting days depend on business - sometimes 120+ days (Budget session), sometimes 30+ (other sessions).
Exam tip
Parliament sessions in India (convention): Budget (February-April), Monsoon (July-August), Winter (November-December). But Constitution does not mandate this - it's executive convention. President can summon extraordinary sessions (Article 85(2)).
Sources
- Constitution of India - Article 85 (Summoning and Prorogation of Parliament)
- Parliament of India - Handbook on Procedure