UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 Q13 — Parliamentary Joint Session
The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two Houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reason thereof. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Enumerate
- Scope keywords
- joint session of the two Housesnormally happenoccasions when it cannotreason thereof
- Implicit sub-parts
- Article 108: The constitutional mechanism for resolving legislative deadlocks.
- Specific conditions under which a deadlock is declared (rejection, disagreement on amendments, or six-month lapse).
- The constitutional 'Reasons' why Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills are exempt.
- Procedural nuances: Who presides (Article 118) and the numerical advantage of the Lok Sabha.
- Common pitfalls
- Failing to mention Article 108 and Article 118 specifically.
- Confusing 'Joint Sittings' for deadlock resolution with the President's Special Address (Article 87).
- Missing the 'Reason' part of the question—e.g., failing to explain that Money Bills are the sole domain of Lok Sabha or that Article 368 requires separate house majorities to protect federalism.
- Spending too much time on historical examples (Dowry Prohibition Act, POTA) without explaining the constitutional mechanics first.
- Dimensions required
- ConstitutionalProceduralFederalismExecutive-Legislative balance
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50 words to the introduction and Article 108 criteria. Dedicate 100 words to the 'Normally happen' section, detailing the three conditions of deadlock. Use the remaining 100 words to analyze the two exceptions (Money and Amendment Bills) with a strong emphasis on the 'reason thereof' (supremacy of Lok Sabha and federal integrity) to secure high marks.
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