📘 Q.20 IAS Prelims 2024 — Polity & Governance: Lapsing of Bills on Dissolution of Lok Sabha
📍 The Question
With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:
- A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution.
- A Bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
- A Bill in regard to which the President of India has 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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2
🧠 Indexive Theme of the Question
Parliamentary Procedure | Lapsing of Bills | Dissolution of Lok Sabha | Joint Sitting
🧑🏫 Classroom Explanation
🔹 Statement 1: Correct
- On the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, all Bills pending in the Lok Sabha lapse, whether:
- they originated in the Lok Sabha, or
- they were transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha.
- Such Bills must be reintroduced afresh in the newly constituted Lok Sabha.
👉 Statement 1 is correct.
🔹 Statement 2: Correct
- A Bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha also lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
- This is because the legislative process becomes incomplete once the originating House ceases to exist.
👉 Statement 2 is correct.
🔹 Statement 3: Not Correct
- If a Bill has not been passed by both Houses due to disagreement and the President has already notified the intention to summon a joint sitting, such a Bill does NOT lapse on dissolution.
- The joint sitting can still be held by the newly constituted Lok Sabha.
👉 Statement 3 is incorrect.
📌 Important Exceptions to Remember (High-Value Prelims Area)
The following do NOT lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha:
- ✔️ A Bill pending only in the Rajya Sabha
- ✔️ A Bill passed by both Houses and pending President’s assent
- ✔️ A Bill passed by both Houses but returned by the President for reconsideration
- ✔️ A Bill for which joint sitting has been notified
🧠 Prelims Trap Alert
❌ “All Bills lapse on dissolution of Lok Sabha” — Wrong
✔️ Only Bills linked to Lok Sabha’s pending role lapse.
🧘 IAS Monk Whisper
When the House dissolves, unfinished words dissolve with it — but constitutional intent does not.
