📍 The 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 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.