Sessions of Parliament

Sessions of Parliament

Why in News? 

Recently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has been scheduled from July 21 to August 12, 2025. This session holds key importance as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will begin their proceedings at 11 a.m. on the first day.

Monsoon Sessions of Parliament 2025

• Session Timings: The Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2025 is scheduled from July 21 to August 21, with a scheduled pause between August 12 and 18 to allow for Independence Day events. A total of 21 sittings are scheduled, and the government has prepared a heavy legislative agenda. 

• Government’s Priorities: The government has identified 17 key items, including 15 bills, for discussion and passage. Some of these bills were introduced earlier and referred to committees for review. Some important bills include:

• • • The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
    • The Indian Ports Bill, 2025
    • The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
    • The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025
    • The Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2025
      • Final decisions on the scheduling of debates will be taken by the Business Advisory Committees of both Houses.

• Demands: The Opposition has planned to question the government on Operation Sindoor, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. 

Parliamentary Sessions in India: Purpose and Constitutional Foundation

• About: A Parliamentary Session is a specific period during which the Parliament of India meets to carry out its legislative and administrative functions. During a session, members of both Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States) assemble to discuss laws, pass budgets, debate national issues, and question the government.

• Constitutional Basis: The authority to summon a session of Parliament lies with the President of India under Article 85(1) of the Indian Constitution. The power to summon a session rests with the President, who acts on the recommendations provided by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

• According to Article 85 of the Constitution, Parliament must be convened in such a way that no interval between two sessions exceeds six months.

• This clause ensures that Parliament meets at least twice a year, although in practice, it meets more frequently.

• Purpose: Parliamentary sessions are held to ensure that elected members perform their duties, especially law-making and budget approval. The government cannot spend money or introduce new taxes unless Parliament approves it. Every law must pass through Parliament before becoming enforceable. Sessions give space for debates on public issues, motions of no-confidence, and discussions on urgent national concerns.

• Historical Evolution: Although the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950, the practice of holding multiple sessions began with the first Lok Sabha in 1952. Since then, three sessions per year have become the standard. For example, the first Budget Session began on February 28, 1950, when India presented its first Union Budget as a Republic. 

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Types of Parliamentary Sessions in India

India follows the convention of holding three main sessions each year. These are not mentioned by name in the Constitution but have become an established part of democratic practice over time.

• Budget Session: Parliament begins its yearly calendar with the Budget Session, which is not only the first but also tends to be the most extended among all sessions. It generally begins in the last week of January or the first week of February and continues until May. 

• This session is structured in two phases, separated by a break to allow detailed examination of financial proposals by committees. This break allows parliamentary committees to examine budget proposals in detail.

• • • The highlight of this session is the Union Budget, which the Finance Minister presents on February 1 every year since 2017. 
    • In recent years, the Budget Session has witnessed major announcements such as GST reforms, changes in income tax structures, and updates on capital investment plans.

• Monsoon Session: The Monsoon Session typically begins in July and continues through August. It is held after the long summer break and takes place during the rainy season, which gives the session its name.

• This session often focuses on reviewing budget implementation, debating pending bills, and responding to current issues.

• • • The Monsoon Session of 2019 witnessed the passage of key legislations, including the law banning instant Triple Talaq and amendments to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
    • The session also provides an opportunity for Members of Parliament to raise urgent public issues and call the government to account. 

• Winter Session: The Winter Session usually begins in the third or fourth week of November and ends by the third week of December. The government uses this session to clear pending legislative work before the end of the calendar year.

• • During the Winter Session of 2019, Parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which led to nationwide discussions and protests. 

Also Read: Adjournment Sine Die

Summoning and Proroguing of Parliamentary Sessions

• Summoning of Parliament: The President of India holds the constitutional power to summon each House of Parliament. This authority is given under Article 85(1) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the President shall summon each House to meet from time to time. However, this power is not exercised independently. The President summons the sessions based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

• • • The Cabinet Secretariat prepares a proposal for the session’s schedule, which is forwarded through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to the President. The official notification is then issued by the President’s office.

• Preparatory Process: Once the President gives assent to the proposed dates, an official notification is issued, which is known as the summons. This notice is sent to all Members of Parliament, typically 15 to 20 days before the session begins. 

• During this time, the government finalizes the list of bills to be introduced or passed, prepares the agenda, and shares it with concerned departments.

• • • The Business Advisory Committees of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet to allocate time for different items on the agenda.

• Role of the Presiding Officers: After the session is summoned and begins, the Speaker of Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha take charge of proceedings. They regulate the day-to-day functioning, decide on adjournments, and maintain order in the House. 

• Sometimes, the House may be adjourned for a day or more due to protests, lack of quorum, or national holidays. 

• Adjournment is a short-term pause, while prorogation marks the formal end of a session.

• Prorogation: Once all scheduled work is completed, the President formally ends the session through a process known as prorogation, as outlined in Article 85(2)(a) of the Constitution.

• Prorogation is the formal closure of a session, even if the Houses were earlier adjourned. Once prorogued, the session cannot resume unless it is summoned again.

• Unlike dissolution—which only applies to the Lok Sabha—prorogation does not affect the term or membership of either House. 

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs usually sends a proposal for prorogation after the legislative agenda is completed. 

• • After the decision to prorogue is made, the President’s approval is recorded and the notification is published officially in the Gazette of India.
• The President holds the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha, either at the end of its five-year term or if advised to do so by the Prime Minister. While dissolution ends the existence of the House, prorogation only concludes a session.

Special and Joint Sessions of Parliament

• Special Sessions: A Special Session refers to a meeting of Parliament that is not part of the traditional three-session cycle.

• A notable example was the Special Session on June 30, 2017, held at midnight in the Central Hall of Parliament to launch the Goods and Services Tax (GST). 

• Joint Sittings: A joint meeting of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is called under Article 108 to resolve a legislative deadlock.

• • • This joint sitting is triggered if one House rejects a bill passed by the other, if there is prolonged inaction by one House for over six months, or if the two Houses fail to agree on amendments.
    • Only ordinary bills qualify for discussion in a joint sitting, while Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills remain outside its scope.

• Emergency Sessions: Parliament may also be convened in emergency situations, especially during a national emergency, a financial emergency, or a constitutional emergency in a state. These are governed by Articles 352, 356, and 360 of the Constitution.

• • During emergencies, Parliament meets to extend or approve the President’s proclamations.

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