UPSC Prelims 2024 Q94: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Explanation
Bills and Dissolution of Lok Sabha - Which Bills Lapse
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A bill pending in Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution | TRUE | Any bill that is still in Lok Sabha (not yet passed, under consideration, or returned from RS for reconsideration) lapses when Lok Sabha is dissolved. |
| 2 | A bill passed by Lok Sabha and pending in Rajya Sabha lapses on dissolution of Lok Sabha | TRUE | If Lok Sabha passes a bill and sends it to Rajya Sabha, but Rajya Sabha has not yet acted on it when Lok Sabha is dissolved, the bill lapses. The entire legislative process must restart in the new Lok Sabha. |
| 3 | A bill in regard to which the President notified intention to summon a joint sitting lapses on dissolution of Lok Sabha | FALSE | This is an exception. Once the President notifies intention to summon both houses for a joint sitting, the bill does NOT lapse even if Lok Sabha is dissolved before the joint sitting occurs. The joint sitting can still be held after the new Lok Sabha constitutes. |
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Answer: (b) 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct - a bill passed by Lok Sabha and pending in Rajya Sabha does lapse upon dissolution. Not just Statement 1.
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 1 (bill pending in LS lapses) and 2 (bill passed by LS, pending in RS lapses) are both correct. Statement 3 is false - a bill for which President notified joint sitting intent does NOT lapse.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is correct (RS pending bill lapses) but Statement 3 is wrong - bills with notified joint sitting intent are an exception and do not lapse.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false - a bill for which the President has notified intention for a joint sitting does NOT lapse even if Lok Sabha is dissolved.
Key point
Bills that lapse on LS dissolution: (1) Bills pending in LS, (2) Bills passed by LS and pending in RS. Exception: Bills for which President has notified joint sitting intent do NOT lapse. Also, bills pending in RS (originated in RS) do not lapse.
Remember
Bills pending in Lok Sabha and bills passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha both lapse when Lok Sabha is dissolved. Exception: a bill for which the President has notified intention to summon a joint sitting does not lapse.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all bills lapse on Lok Sabha dissolution - bills originating in Rajya Sabha (and pending there) do not lapse, and bills for which President notified joint sitting intent do not lapse.
- Not knowing Statement 3's exception - this is an important constitutional nuance. Once the President officially notifies intention for a joint sitting, the bill survives Lok Sabha dissolution.
- Confusing which bills lapse and which do not - the key rule is that LS-initiated bills lapse, but RS-initiated bills and bills with joint sitting notification are exceptions.
Exam tip
LS dissolution and bills: Lapse = (a) pending in LS, (b) LS-passed but RS-pending. Do NOT lapse = (a) RS-originated bills pending in RS, (b) bills with Presidential joint sitting notification. The exception for joint sitting notification protects bills in constitutional deadlock proceedings.
Sources
- Constitution of India - Article 108 (Joint Sitting) and provisions on dissolution
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 5: Legislature