📘 Q.21 IAS Prelims 2024 — Polity & Governance: Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament
📍 The Question
With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
- Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die, but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session.
- Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
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: (c) 2 and 3
🧠 Indexive Theme of the Question
Parliamentary Procedure | Sessions of Parliament | Prorogation | Dissolution of Lok Sabha | Article 85
🧑🏫 Classroom Explanation
🔹 Statement 1: Not Correct
- Under Article 85(2) of the Constitution, the President may prorogue either House of Parliament.
- However, like all executive actions of the President, prorogation is exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers as mandated by Article 74.
👉 Statement 1 is incorrect.
🔹 Statement 2: Correct
- Prorogation refers to the termination of a session of Parliament by an order of the President.
- It is normally done after adjournment sine die, but there is no constitutional bar on prorogating the House even while it is in session.
👉 Statement 2 is correct.
🔹 Statement 3: Correct
- Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is carried out by the President.
- Ordinarily, this is done on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- However, in exceptional circumstances (such as when no party commands a majority), the President may exercise limited discretion, for example, to explore the possibility of an alternative government.
👉 Statement 3 is correct.
📌 Prorogation vs Dissolution — One-Line Clarity
- Prorogation → Ends a session (House continues to exist)
- Dissolution → Ends the life of the Lok Sabha itself
🧘 IAS Monk Whisper
Sessions may end, Houses may dissolve — but constitutional balance endures through advice, discretion, and restraint.