Question 65 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Polity and
Governance

Question

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 was not passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: Analyze each statement focusing on the key parliamentary terms: 'prorogation' and 'dissolution'. Statement 1 discusses 'prorogation' of Lok Sabha. Recall that bills do not lapse on prorogation; they only lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 refers to a Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha and not yet passed by the Lok Sabha, and the effect of 'dissolution of the Lok Sabha'. Since the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and does not dissolve, a bill originating and pending solely in the Rajya Sabha does not lapse upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. This makes statement 2 correct.

Key Info: The rules governing the lapsing of Bills in the Indian Parliament are crucial aspects of legislative procedure:

*   **Prorogation:** This refers to the termination of a session of Parliament by the President. Prorogation only ends a session; it does not affect the status of bills pending before either House, or any other business. All pending notices, motions, and resolutions, however, lapse upon prorogation, and new notices must be given for the next session.

*   **Dissolution of Lok Sabha:** Unlike prorogation, dissolution ends the life of the existing Lok Sabha, requiring a fresh general election. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha has a significant impact on pending bills:
    *   A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha (whether originating in the Lok Sabha or transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha) lapses.
    *   A Bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses.
    *   A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, but not passed by the Lok Sabha, **does not lapse**. This is because the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and not subject to dissolution.
    *   A Bill passed by both Houses but returned by the President for reconsideration **does not lapse**.
    *   A Bill passed by both Houses but awaiting the President's assent **does not lapse**.
    *   A Bill on which the President has notified his intention to hold a joint sitting before the dissolution of the Lok Sabha **does not lapse**.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2

Which of the following statements is/are correct? A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which was not passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.

A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which was not passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.