Question map
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation. 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The correct answer is option B (Statement 2 only).
**Statement 1 is incorrect:** Under Article 107(3) of the Constitution, a bill pending in Parliament shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the Houses.[1] The only effect of a prorogation is that pending notices, motions and resolutions lapse, but Bills remain unaffected.[2] Therefore, a Bill pending in the Lok Sabha does not lapse on its prorogation.
**Statement 2 is correct:** A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.[3] Bills pending only in the Rajya Sabha do not lapse upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.[4] This is because the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution, so bills pending exclusively in it remain unaffected by Lok Sabha's dissolution.
Sources- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 236
- [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 246
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Static Polity' question derived directly from the 'Lapsing of Bills' table found in standard texts like Laxmikanth (Chapter 22/23). It tests the binary rules of Parliamentary procedure—specifically the difference between the 'end of a session' (Prorogation) and the 'end of the House' (Dissolution).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: In the context of the Indian Parliament, does a bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapse on prorogation of the Lok Sabha?
- Statement 2: In the context of the Indian Parliament, does a bill pending in the Rajya Sabha that has not been passed by the Lok Sabha lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha?
- Explicitly cites Article 107(3) stating a bill pending in Parliament shall not lapse by reason of prorogation.
- Distinguishes bills from other items (notices/motions) which do lapse, showing bills are specially saved.
- Affirms that all bills pending in Parliament are expressly saved by Article 107(3) against prorogation.
- Contrasts Indian position with England to underline that prorogation does not wipe out bills in India.
- Directly addresses the exact scenario: a bill pending in Rajya Sabha but not passed by Lok Sabha.
- Explicitly states the bill does not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
- Explains why such a bill does not lapse: Lok Sabha has not acted on it.
- States generally that bills pending only in Rajya Sabha do not lapse upon Lok Sabha dissolution.
- Lists cases when a bill does not lapse and includes the exact scenario in question.
- Reinforces the rule as part of a summary of lapsing/non-lapsing situations.
Gives a numbered list of lapse-rules for bills on dissolution — specifically distinguishes (1) bills pending in Lok Sabha, (2) bills passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha, and (3) bills not passed due to disagreement where a prior presidential notification for a joint sitting prevents lapse.
A student could use the contrast between items (2) and (3) to infer that only certain categories lapse and test where a bill 'pending in Rajya Sabha but not passed by Lok Sabha' would fit.
Contains a direct-form test statement proposing that 'A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha' as an option to be judged.
A student could treat this as a commonly asked formulation and then cross-check against the formal lapse-rules (from other snippets) to see if it aligns or conflicts.
Explains that a bill which has lapsed cannot be taken to a joint sitting, but if the President has notified intention to summon a joint sitting before dissolution the bill does not lapse.
Use this rule to test whether lack of such notification (or presence of it) changes lapse-status for bills pending in either House, including ones pending in Rajya Sabha.
States Article 107(3) rule that bills pending in Parliament do not lapse by reason of prorogation — showing constitutional distinction between prorogation and dissolution.
A student can extend this distinction to ask whether dissolution (not prorogation) has a different effect on bills pending in one House vs. both Houses.
Repeats the lapse-position list (same as 1), reinforcing the classification of which bills lapse on dissolution.
Reinforce cross-checking: compare item (2) (bill passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha lapses) with the test-form in snippet 3 to narrow which scenarios do or do not lapse.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. This is foundational static material. If you rely on 'logic' without memorizing the 6 specific rules of lapsing, you will falter. Source: Laxmikanth, Chapter on Parliament.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Parliament > Sessions > The distinction between Adjournment (sitting ends), Prorogation (session ends), and Dissolution (House ends).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Death of a Bill' matrix: 1. Pending in LS = Lapses. 2. Passed by LS, pending in RS = Lapses. 3. Pending in RS, not passed by LS = Does NOT Lapse. 4. Joint Sitting notified by President before dissolution = Does NOT Lapse. 5. Passed by both, pending President's assent = Does NOT Lapse. 6. Returned by President for reconsideration = Does NOT Lapse.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Visualize the 'Ownership' of the Bill. If the Lok Sabha (the temporary house) has touched the bill or owns it, the bill dies with the House. If the bill is purely the property of the Rajya Sabha (Permanent House) and LS hasn't touched it, it survives.
Both references cite Article 107(3) as the constitutional provision that prevents pending bills from lapsing on prorogation.
High-yield: UPSC frequently tests constitutional provisions governing parliamentary procedure. Understanding Article 107(3) helps distinguish procedural outcomes on prorogation vs dissolution and supports answers on legislative continuity. Study approach: memorize text/essence of the saving clause and practice application-based questions comparing prorogation and dissolution.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 236
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 246
References collectively show prorogation does not lapse bills (Article 107(3)), whereas other parts of the material (dissolution notes) indicate bills pending in Lok Sabha lapse on dissolution.
Essential for exam clarity: many questions ask whether business lapses on prorogation or dissolution. Mastering this distinction enables accurate answers on joint sittings, reintroduction of bills, and legislative procedure. Preparation: compare sources that describe both events, and learn exceptions (e.g., joint-sitting notification).
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 236
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 237
Evidence references Lok Sabha Rules 335–336 showing notices and some motions lapse, while moved motions/amendments and bills do not simply lapse on prorogation.
Useful for detailed procedural questions: knowing which items lapse vs which are saved is frequently tested in polity papers and interviews. Study approach: remember rule numbers and the practical outcome (what needs fresh notice next session vs what is carried over).
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 236
Several references distinguish what lapses on dissolution of the Lok Sabha and what does not, and separately note the effect of prorogation under Article 107(3).
High-yield for UPSC: questions frequently test different fates of bills on dissolution/prorogation and constitutional provisions that govern them. Connects to Articles of the Constitution and parliamentary procedures; mastering this helps answer direct-scope and scenario-based questions on legislative procedure. Best prepared by memorising categorical rules (which bills lapse, which do not) and linking them to relevant constitutional articles and rules.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 237
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 236
References state that a bill not passed due to disagreement does not lapse if the President has notified intention to summon a joint sitting before dissolution.
Important for UPSC: tests interplay between dissolution, inter-house disagreement and the joint-sitting mechanism. Useful for questions on resolution of deadlocks between Houses, and procedural exceptions to lapsing; prepare by learning conditions under which joint sittings can be summoned and their procedural effects.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Dissolution > p. 237
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > JOINT SITTING OF TWO HOUSES > p. 250
Evidence highlights that Rajya Sabha has only recommending powers on money bills and a 14-day period after which a money bill is deemed passed.
Frequently asked topic: money bills and the differing powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are a staple of polity questions. Understanding this helps distinguish ordinary vs money bills in lapsing/approval scenarios. Prepare by memorising the 14-day rule, practical implications, and linking to examples and past questions.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
- Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > HOW DOES THE PARLIAMENT MAKE LAWS? > p. 113
The 'Assurances' Exception: While most pending business lapses on dissolution, 'Pending assurances that are to be examined by the Committee on Government Assurances' do NOT lapse. This is a deep-cut fact often missed in standard reading.
Use the 'Semester vs. Graduation' analogy.
Statement 1: Prorogation is like a semester break. You don't burn your homework (Bills) just because the term ended. Thus, bills do NOT lapse. (Statement 1 Incorrect).
Statement 2: The bill is in the Rajya Sabha (Permanent House). The Lok Sabha hasn't touched it. Why would the death of the neighbor (LS) kill the resident of a safe house (RS)? (Statement 2 Correct).
Mains GS-2 (Parliamentary Functioning): The lapsing of bills contributes to the 'decline of Parliament' narrative. Frequent dissolutions without passing pending bills lead to a waste of legislative time, tax money, and committee efforts, necessitating the re-introduction of the same bills (e.g., The Women's Reservation Bill history).