Consider the following statements: 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such place as he/she thinks it. 2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions. 3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents12
- A1 only
- B2 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D2 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Statement 1 (President can summon Parliament at any place) — CORRECT:
Article 85(1) empowers the President to summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he/she thinks fit.
The only condition is that there should not be a gap of more than 6 months between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next session.
Statement 2 (Constitution provides for three sessions per year) — NOT CORRECT:
The Constitution does NOT specify the number of sessions.
It only says Parliament must meet at least twice a year (since the gap cannot exceed 6 months).
In practice, Parliament usually has three sessions — Budget, Monsoon, and Winter — but this is by convention, not constitutional requirement.
Statement 3 (No minimum days Parliament must meet) — CORRECT:
There is no constitutional provision specifying a minimum number of days Parliament must sit in a year.
In practice, the number of sitting days has been declining over the decades.
Answer: C (1 and 3 only).
Key Takeaway:
President summons Parliament + no fixed number of sessions (just 2 minimum implied by the 6-month rule) + no minimum sitting days required.
The President has complete discretion over when and where Parliament meets, subject only to the 6-month maximum gap rule under Article 85.
The Constitution sets no minimum sitting days for Parliament, and in practice, sitting days have declined significantly over decades from around 120 days in the 1950s to fewer than 70 days in recent years.
UPSC is testing whether students confuse constitutional requirements with parliamentary conventions - the three sessions are practice, not constitutional mandate.
Summoning of Parliamentary Sessions
Indian Polity President summon session Parliament
Summoning of Parliamentary Sessions: Presidential Powers & Constitutional Framework
President summons Parliament sessions under Article 85(1) at any time and place
Maximum gap between sessions is 6 months - only constitutional time limit
Constitution does NOT specify number of sessions per year
No minimum sitting days required per year constitutionally
Article 85(1) gives the President complete discretion to summon Parliament sessions. The Constitution sets only one time constraint - ensuring democratic continuity through the 6-month rule.
Parliamentary Session Requirements
Aspect | Constitutional Provision | Current Practice |
|---|---|---|
Who Summons | President under Article 85(1) | President acts on Cabinet advice |
Where | Any place President thinks fit | Usually New Delhi Parliament House |
Frequency | At least twice yearly (6-month gap rule) | Three sessions: Budget, Monsoon, Winter |
Minimum Days | No constitutional minimum | Around 60-70 days total per year |
Maximum Gap | 6 months between sessions | Strictly followed |
Key Constitutional Powers
President can summon either House or both Houses together
President can also prorogue (end) Parliament sessions
Sessions can be held at any location within India
Cabinet advises President in practice, but constitutional power rests with President
Trap: Constitution mandates three sessions yearly → FALSE, only 6-month gap rule exists
Trap: Parliament must sit minimum days per year → FALSE, no constitutional minimum
Trap: Sessions must be in Delhi only → FALSE, President can choose any place
Trap: Prime Minister summons Parliament → FALSE, it's the President's power
Types of Parliamentary Sessions
Indian Polity sessions Parliament
Parliamentary Sessions: Types, Timing & Constitutional vs Conventional Practices
Three sessions by convention: Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (July-Aug), Winter (Nov-Dec)
Session types are parliamentary practice, not constitutional requirement
Budget Session is longest, includes Union Budget presentation
Parliament follows a conventional three-session pattern developed over decades. This practice ensures continuous legislative work throughout the year while accommodating agricultural and festival cycles.
Parliamentary Sessions Calendar
Session | Period | Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget Session | February - May | Longest (60-70 days) | Union Budget, Appropriation Bills, Part I & II |
Monsoon Session | July - August | 3-4 weeks | Post-budget discussions, legislative business |
Winter Session | November - December | 3-4 weeks | Legislative agenda, question hour, debates |
Session Characteristics
Budget Session has recess between Part I (Budget presentation) and Part II (budget voting)
Sessions can be extended if urgent legislative business remains
Special sessions can be called for emergencies or specific purposes
Each session begins with President's Address (Budget Session) or routine business
Trap: Constitution mandates three specific sessions → FALSE, it's parliamentary convention
Trap: Session names are in Constitution → FALSE, they're conventional terms
Trap: Sessions must be equal duration → FALSE, Budget Session is much longer
Article 85 - Sessions of Parliament
Indian Polity Article 85
Article 85: Complete Framework of Parliamentary Sessions
Article 85(1): President summons Parliament at time and place of choice
Article 85(2): Maximum 6 months gap between last and next session
Prorogation power also vested in President under this Article
Article 85 is the complete constitutional framework governing when and how Parliament meets. It balances Presidential discretion with democratic continuity requirements.
Article 85 Process Flow
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Cabinet Decision**
Council of Ministers decides on Parliament session`"]
s2["`**Presidential Summons**
President issues summons under Article 85(1)`"]
s3["`**Time & Place Fixed**
Session date, duration, and venue decided`"]
s4["`**6-Month Check**
Ensure gap doesn't exceed 6 months from last session`"]
s5["`**Session Commences**
Parliament meets as per summons`"]
s6["`**Prorogation**
President prorogues session when business concludes`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5
s5 --> s6Constitutional Provisions Breakdown
Article 85(1): Summoning power - President's discretion on timing and venue
Article 85(2): Six-month rule - ensures Parliament meets at least twice yearly
Prorogation: President ends session (different from adjournment by Speaker/Chairman)
No dissolution: Sessions are prorogued, only Lok Sabha can be dissolved
Trap: Speaker can summon Parliament → FALSE, only President under Article 85
Trap: 6-month rule means exactly 2 sessions → FALSE, can be more sessions
Trap: Parliament must meet in Delhi → FALSE, President chooses venue
Trap: Article 85 sets minimum sitting days → FALSE, only maximum gap rule
Parliamentary Sitting Days
Indian Polity days Parliament meet
Parliamentary Sitting Days: Trends, Challenges & Democratic Implications
No constitutional minimum for sitting days per year
Current average: 60-70 days per year (declining trend)
1950s-60s: Parliament sat for 120+ days annually
Parliamentary sitting days have declined significantly since independence. While the Constitution sets no minimum, this trend affects legislative scrutiny and democratic debate quality.
Key concerns: Less time for question hour, reduced scrutiny of bills, fewer debates on public issues.
Sitting Days: Then vs Now
Period | Average Days/Year | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
1950s-1960s | 120+ days | Longer sessions, detailed debates |
1970s-1980s | 100+ days | Still substantial parliamentary time |
1990s-2000s | 80-90 days | Gradual decline begins |
2010s onwards | 60-70 days | Significant reduction, disruptions common |
Impact of Fewer Sitting Days
Legislation: Bills passed with less scrutiny and debate time
Question Hour: Reduced opportunities for MPs to question government
Committee Work: Greater reliance on parliamentary committees for detailed examination
Public Issues: Less parliamentary time for discussing urgent national matters
Trap: Constitution mandates minimum sitting days → FALSE, no such provision exists
Trap: Sitting days are increasing over time → FALSE, they're declining significantly
Trap: 120 days minimum required → FALSE, this was 1950s practice, not constitutional requirement