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CUET UG Political Science Indian Constitution Parliament Powers Procedures Joint Sitting Speaker

Must-Know

• Article 79 establishes Parliament as consisting of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
• Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of 552 members: 530 from states, 20 from UTs, and 2 nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community (verify from NCERT).
• The normal term of Lok Sabha is 5 years, but it can be extended by one year during a national emergency under Article 352.
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with one-third members retiring every two years; each member has a 6-year term.
• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
• The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected from among its members and vacates office when the Lok Sabha dissolves.
• The Deputy Speaker is also elected by the Lok Sabha and performs duties in the absence of the Speaker.
• The Speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill; this decision is final and not subject to judicial review (Article 110(3)).
• A joint sitting of Parliament is called by the President under Article 108 to resolve a deadlock between the two Houses.
• The first joint sitting of Parliament was held in 1961 over the Dowry Prohibition Bill.
• So far, joint sittings have been convened three times: 1961, 1978, and 2002 (Prevention of Terrorism Bill).
• The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting; if absent, the Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides.
• A Money Bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the President (Article 117).
• Rajya Sabha can recommend amendments to a Money Bill, but Lok Sabha may accept or reject them; the Bill must be returned within 14 days.
• Ordinary bills can originate in either House, and both Houses have equal powers except in financial matters.
• A bill passed by one House and rejected by the other may lead to a deadlock, resolvable only by a joint sitting.
• The Speaker has the power to regulate proceedings, maintain order, and decide points of order in Lok Sabha.
• The Speaker can cast a vote only in case of a tie; this is called a casting vote (not a deliberative vote).
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)).
• No-confidence motion can be moved only in Lok Sabha; if passed, the Council of Ministers must resign.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate — requires understanding of procedural distinctions between Houses and constitutional articles, but facts are directly from NCERT.

Common CUET Traps

• Trap: Believing Rajya Sabha can initiate a Money Bill. Avoid: Only Lok Sabha can introduce Money Bills under Article 117.
• Trap: Assuming joint sitting is held for all types of bills. Avoid: Joint sitting occurs only for ordinary and financial bills, not for constitutional amendment or Money Bills.
• Trap: Thinking the Vice-President presides over joint sittings. Avoid: The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over joint sittings, not the Vice-President.

Practice MCQs

1. Question: Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to summon a joint sitting of Parliament?
   A) Article 79
   B) Article 85
   C) Article 108
   D) Article 110
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Article 108 provides for the joint sitting of both Houses in case of a deadlock.
   Why others fail: Article 85 deals with the President’s power to summon and prorogue Parliament, not joint sittings.

2. Question: Who presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
   A) Vice-President of India
   B) Prime Minister
   C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
   D) Chief Justice of India
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting.
   Why others fail: The Vice-President is Chairman of Rajya Sabha but does not preside over joint sittings.

3. Question: Which of the following bills cannot be introduced first in Rajya Sabha?
   A) Ordinary Bill
   B) Constitutional Amendment Bill
   C) Money Bill
   D) Private Member’s Bill
   Answer: C
   Explanation: Money Bill can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with the President’s recommendation.
   Why others fail: Students often confuse Money Bills with Financial Bills, which can originate in either House.

4. Question: What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha as per the Constitution?
   A) 530
   B) 545
   C) 550
   D) 552
   Answer: D
   Explanation: Maximum strength is 552: 530 from states, 20 from UTs, 2 nominated.
   Why others fail: Option B (545) is the current strength, not the constitutional maximum.

5. Question: Consider the following statements:
   (i) The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by both Houses in joint sitting.
   (ii) The Speaker continues in office even after Lok Sabha is dissolved until a new Speaker is elected.
   Which statement(s) is/are correct?
   A) Only (i)
   B) Only (ii)
   C) Both (i) and (ii)
   D) Neither (i) nor (ii)
   Answer: B
   Explanation: The Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha alone and continues after dissolution to conduct proceedings until a new Speaker is elected.
   Why others fail: Statement (i) is wrong—election is by Lok Sabha only, not joint sitting—making option C tempting but incorrect.

Last-Minute Revision

• ⚠️ Article 79: Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
• ⚠️ Lok Sabha max strength: 552.
• ⚠️ Rajya Sabha permanent; 1/3 members retire every 2 years.
• ⚠️ Speaker decides Money Bill (Article 110(3)).
• ⚠️ Joint sitting under Article 108.
• ⚠️ First joint sitting: 1961 (Dowry Prohibition Bill).
• ⚠️ Only 3 joint sittings held: 1961, 1978, 2002.
• ⚠️ Speaker presides over joint sitting.
• ⚠️ Money Bill introduced only in Lok Sabha (Article 117).
• ⚠️ Rajya Sabha has 14 days to return Money Bill.
• ⚠️ Speaker casts vote only in case of tie.
• ⚠️ No-confidence motion only in Lok Sabha.
• ⚠️ Council of Ministers responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)).
• ⚠️ Vice-President = Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
• ⚠️ Speaker elected by Lok Sabha; not by joint sitting.
• ⚠️ Speaker continues after dissolution.
• ⚠️ Joint sitting not possible for constitutional amendment bills.
• ⚠️ Financial Bill (I) can originate in Rajya Sabha; Money Bill cannot.
• ⚠️ President can nominate 2 Anglo-Indians to Lok Sabha (verify from NCERT).
• ⚠️ Normal term of Lok Sabha: 5 years (Article 83(2)).