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Q37 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance › Parliament › Joint sitting Parliament Official Key

When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by

Result
Your answer: —  Âˇ  Correct: A
Explanation

If the bill in dispute is passed by a majority of the total number of members of both the Houses present and voting in the joint sitting, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses.[1] This means that a simple majority of members present and voting is sufficient to pass a bill in a joint sitting.

All matters at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of both the Houses are decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting, excluding the presiding officer.[2] Article 100 of the Constitution states that except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all questions at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of the Houses shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting.[3]

Therefore, unlike special majorities required for constitutional amendments or certain specific matters, bills at joint sittings require only a simple majority—more than 50% of those present and voting—making option A the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > JOINT SITTING OF TWO HOUSES > p. 250
  2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Voting in House > p. 237
  3. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > III Simple Majority > p. 239
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Q. When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by [A] a simple majority of members…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 ¡ 0/10
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This is a 'Sitter' category question. It is a direct lift from standard Polity texts (Laxmikanth/NCERT). Missing this indicates a gap in core static preparation, not a lack of advanced knowledge. It requires zero current affairs linkage.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
What majority is required to pass a bill at a joint sitting of both Houses of the Parliament of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > JOINT SITTING OF TWO HOUSES > p. 250
Presence: 5/5
“If the Deputy Speaker is also absent from a joint sitting, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides. If he/ she is also absent, such other person as may be determined by the members present at the joint sitting, presides over the meeting. The quorum to constitute a joint sitting is one-tenth of the total number of members of the two Houses. The joint sitting is governed by the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and not of Rajya Sabha . If the bill in dispute is passed by a majority of the total number of members of both the Houses present and voting in the joint sitting, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the bill is deemed passed if approved by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting at the joint sitting.
  • Directly refers to the joint sitting context and the required majority rule for resolving disputes between Houses.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Voting in House > p. 237
Presence: 4/5
“All matters at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of both the Houses are decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting, excluding the presiding officer. Only a few matters, which are specifically mentioned in the Constitution, require either effective majority or special majority, not simple majority. The presiding officer of a House does not vote in the first instance, but exercises a casting vote in the case of a tie. The proceedings of a House are to be valid irrespective of any unauthorized voting or participation or any vacancy in its membership. The following points can be noted with respect to the voting procedure in the Lok Sabha. • 1.”
Why this source?
  • Gives the general voting rule that matters at any sitting (including joint sittings) are decided by a majority of votes of members present and voting.
  • Clarifies that the presiding officer is excluded from the initial vote, reinforcing the 'present and voting' formulation.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > III Simple Majority > p. 239
Presence: 5/5
“Article 100 of the Constitution states that except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all questions at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of the Houses shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting. • (a) Passing of the ordinary bills, money bills and financial bills. • (b) Passing of the Adjournment Motion, No- Confidence Motion, Confidence Motion, Censure Motion and Motion of Thanks. • (c) Removal of the Vice-President in the Lok Sabha (Article 67). • (d) Approval of the imposition of the President's Rule (Article 356). • (e) Approval of the proclamation of financial emergency (Article 360). • (f) Election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Article 93).”
Why this source?
  • Cites Article 100: questions at any sitting of either House or joint sitting are determined by majority of votes of members present and voting.
  • Specifically lists passage of ordinary bills under this simple-majority rule, linking constitutional text to practice.
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