Question 28 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Polity & Governan ce

Question

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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2

Strategy: The strategy focuses on understanding how the dissolution of Lok Sabha impacts different types of bills:

*   **Bills pending in Lok Sabha:** These automatically lapse upon dissolution.
*   **Bills passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha:** These also lapse.
*   **Bills where President has notified a joint sitting:** These do not lapse. Identifying this crucial exception is key to correctly evaluating statements.

Key Info: The dissolution of the Lok Sabha leads to the lapsing of all business pending before it, including most bills.

## Key Rules Regarding Lapsing of Bills

*   A bill pending in the Lok Sabha (either originating there or received from Rajya Sabha but not yet passed) automatically lapses upon dissolution of Lok Sabha.
*   A bill passed by Lok Sabha but still pending in Rajya Sabha also lapses upon Lok Sabha's dissolution.
*   A bill pending only in Rajya Sabha (not yet passed by Lok Sabha) does not lapse and can be considered anew in the next session.
*   If both Houses have passed a bill and it is pending the assent of the President, the bill does not lapse.
*   If the President has returned a bill to Parliament for reconsideration, and both Houses have not acted upon it, that bill does not lapse.
*   If the President has notified an intention to summon both Houses for a joint sitting (under Article 108), any such bill does not lapse on the dissolution of Lok Sabha.

## Constitutional and Legislative Provisions

*   Article 107(5) of the Indian Constitution governs the lapsing of bills in Parliament.
*   Article 108 provides for the summoning of both Houses for a joint sitting in the event of legislative deadlock.

## Conceptual Background

*   These provisions ensure legislative continuity and clarity on what must be reintroduced following the reconstitution of Lok Sabha after general elections.
*   These lapsing rules apply to ordinary bills, but money bills and financial business have special procedures and timelines.

## Lok Sabha Dissolution

*   Dissolution refers to the complete disbandment of the House, distinct from prorogation or adjournment. It ends the tenure of all sitting members and wipes out all pending business except those specifically exempted by constitutional or procedural rules.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 3 only