Anand Classes provides detailed Sessions of Parliament (Budget, Monsoon, Winter) and Joint Session – Article 85 Polity Notes for NDA, covering the constitutional provisions, duration, summoning, and prorogation of sessions, along with the special procedure of a Joint Session of Parliament. These notes simplify key concepts in an exam-oriented manner to strengthen your NDA GAT preparation. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
Sessions of Parliament (Article 85) – NDA Preparation Study Material
Article 85 of the Indian Constitution deals with the sessions of Parliament, prorogation, and dissolution. It outlines the President’s power to summon Parliament sessions, mandates that no more than six months can pass between the last sitting of one session and the first of the next, and allows the President to prorogue (end) a session or dissolve the Lok Sabha.
- Parliament sessions begin with the consent of the President.
- Gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months. This ensures that Parliament meets at least twice a year.
- Generally, Parliament meets in three sessions each year:
- Budget Session (February–May): It is the longest session, focusing mainly on financial statements, budget proposals, and related discussions.
- Monsoon Session (July–August): Held during the rainy season, often sees heated debates.
- Winter Session (November–December): It is the shortest session.
Joint Session of Parliament
- A Joint Session is summoned by the President to consider a particular bill when:
- A bill is passed by one House and rejected by the other.
- Amendments made by one House are not acceptable to the other.
- A bill remains pending for more than 6 months between both Houses.
- Presiding Officer: The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides. In his absence → Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, if absent → Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and if absent → any member acceptable to both Houses.
- Decision: The deadlock is resolved by majority of members of both Houses present and voting.
- Lok Sabha has larger membership, so it usually dominates the decision.
- No fresh amendment can be made in Joint Session.
- Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills cannot be passed in Joint Session.
Historical Examples of Joint Sessions in India:
- Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961)
- Banking Service Commission Bill (1978)
- Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002
Termination of Sitting
The sitting of a House may end in three ways:
- Dissolution:
- Applicable only to Lok Sabha.
- Done by the President under Article 85(2).
- It occurs either on completion of 5 years or earlier if dissolved.
- Prorogation:
- Termination of a Parliament session by the President under Article 85(2)(a).
- It ends a session, but not the House itself.
- Adjournment:
- Temporary suspension of House proceedings.
- It does not end a session, but only postpones business for a specified time (hours, days, weeks).
- No effect on pending business.
Question Hour
- The first hour of a Lok Sabha sitting is devoted to asking questions, called the Question Hour.
- Types of Questions:
- Starred Questions: Require oral answers and supplementary questions may be asked.
- Unstarred Questions: Require written answers; no supplementary allowed.
- Short Notice Questions: Asked with less than 10 days’ notice on urgent matters.
Zero Hour
- Zero Hour starts immediately after Question Hour (12 noon to 1 PM).
- Members raise issues of public importance without prior notice.
- Though not formally mentioned in the Constitution or Rules, it has become a convention of parliamentary practice.
Parliament Sessions Table for UPSC NDA Polity
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Sessions of Parliament | – Begin with President’s consent – Gap between sessions ≤ 6 months – 3 Sessions: Budget (longest), Monsoon, Winter (shortest) |
| Joint Session | – Called by President – Presided by Lok Sabha Speaker (others in hierarchy if absent) – Used when: Bill rejected, pending > 6 months, or amendments not accepted – Not applicable for Money Bills & Constitutional Amendments – Held 3 times in history (1961, 1978, 2002) |
| Dissolution | – Applies only to Lok Sabha – Done by President under Art. 85(2) – Ends the life of the House |
| Prorogation | – Ends a session, not the House – Done by the President – Different from Adjournment |
| Adjournment | – Temporary break (hours, days, weeks) – Does not end session – No effect on pending business |
| Question Hour | – First hour of sitting in Lok Sabha – Types: Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice |
| Zero Hour | – 12 PM to 1 PM, after Question Hour – Members raise issues without notice – Not in Constitution, but a parliamentary convention |
NDA FAQs for SSB Preparation
❓What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament?
The maximum gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months. This ensures that Parliament meets at least twice in a year.
👉 This fact is very important for UPSC NDA polity preparation and is often asked in objective-type exams. Candidates can revise it from Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes or refer to UPSC NDA study material pdf for quick practice.
❓Who presides over the Joint Session of Parliament?
The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a Joint Sitting. If absent → Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, if absent → Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and if absent → any member acceptable to both Houses.
👉 This is a high-weightage topic in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation, especially when studying the Parliamentary system. Students can cross-check it in UPSC NDA study material pdf.
❓Can a Money Bill or Constitutional Amendment Bill be passed in a Joint Session?
No, a Joint Session cannot be convened for Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills. These have separate constitutional provisions.
👉 This distinction is significant for NDA polity questions, so aspirants should revise it carefully from Anand Classes UPSC NDA notes download.
❓What is the difference between Adjournment and Prorogation?
- Adjournment: Temporary break in proceedings of the House; does not end a session.
- Prorogation: Formal ending of a session by the President.
👉 Such conceptual differences are frequently asked in UPSC NDA polity MCQs. Revision can be done through UPSC NDA study material pdf.
❓How many times has a Joint Session been held in Indian history?
Only three times: Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961), Banking Service Commission Bill (1978), and POTA Bill (2002).
👉 This is a factual question, highly relevant for UPSC NDA exam current affairs + polity. Students may use UPSC NDA notes download for quick memorization.
Important MCQs for NDA Exam Practice of GAT Polity Section
Q1. The maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed:
A) 3 months
B) 4 months
C) 5 months
D) 6 months
Answer: D) 6 months
Explanation: According to the Constitution, there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament. This ensures that Parliament meets at least twice every year.
👉 Frequently asked in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation and can be revised from UPSC NDA study material pdf.
Q2. Who presides over a Joint Sitting of Parliament?
A) President of India
B) Chairman of Rajya Sabha
C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
D) Prime Minister
Answer: C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Explanation: The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a Joint Session. If absent → Deputy Speaker, if absent → Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and if absent → any member acceptable to both Houses.
👉 A high-probability question in NDA polity exam preparation from Anand Classes NDA notes download.
Q3. Which of the following Bills cannot be passed in a Joint Sitting?
A) Ordinary Bill
B) Money Bill
C) Dowry Prohibition Bill
D) Banking Service Commission Bill
Answer: B) Money Bill
Explanation: A Joint Sitting can be called only for Ordinary Bills. Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills cannot be passed in a Joint Session.
👉 This distinction is very important for UPSC NDA polity MCQs.
Q4. In Indian history, how many times has a Joint Session of Parliament been held?
A) Two times
B) Three times
C) Four times
D) Five times
Answer: B) Three times
Explanation: Only three Joint Sessions have been held:
- Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961)
- Banking Service Commission Bill (1978)
- POTA Bill (2002)
👉 A factual but frequently repeated NDA polity exam question from UPSC NDA notes download.
Q5. The difference between Adjournment and Prorogation is that:
A) Adjournment ends the House, Prorogation ends the session
B) Adjournment ends the session, Prorogation ends the House
C) Adjournment is temporary break, Prorogation formally ends the session
D) Both are the same
Answer: C) Adjournment is temporary break, Prorogation formally ends the session
Explanation:
- Adjournment = Temporary suspension of business (hours, days, weeks).
- Prorogation = Formal termination of a session by the President.
👉 This type of conceptual difference is often tested in UPSC NDA polity preparation.
Q6. The period after Question Hour in Lok Sabha, from 12 PM to 1 PM, is called:
A) Lunch Hour
B) Debate Hour
C) Zero Hour
D) General Hour
Answer: C) Zero Hour
Explanation: Zero Hour is an informal parliamentary practice where MPs raise matters of public importance without prior notice, held from 12 noon to 1 PM.
👉 Commonly repeated in NDA polity exam MCQs, so revision from UPSC NDA study material pdf is recommended.
Q7. Which Article of the Constitution empowers the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha?
A) Article 80
B) Article 85(2)
C) Article 90
D) Article 110
Answer: B) Article 85(2)
Explanation: Article 85(2) gives the President the power to dissolve Lok Sabha. Dissolution can occur either on expiry of its 5-year term or earlier on Presidential order.
👉 Direct Article-based question, often seen in UPSC NDA polity exam practice.
📚 Buy Study Material & Join Our Coaching
For premium study materials specially designed for NDA Exam, visit our official study material portal:
👉 https://publishers.anandclasses.co.in/
For JEE/NEET Notes : Visit https://anandclasses.in/
For SSC Notes : Visit https://ssc.anandclasses.in/
To enroll in our offline or online coaching programs, visit our coaching center website:
👉 https://anandclasses.co.in/
📞 Call us directly at: +91-94631-38669
💬 WhatsApp Us Instantly
Need quick assistance or want to inquire about classes and materials?
📲 Click below to chat instantly on WhatsApp:
👉 Chat on WhatsApp
🎥 Watch Video Lectures
Get access to high-quality video lessons, concept explainers, and revision tips by subscribing to our official YouTube channel:
👉 Neeraj Anand Classes – YouTube Channel