Sessions of Parliament: Provisions & Types (UPSC Notes)

Sessions of Parliament are the periods when the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha meet to discuss laws, pass the budget, and review the work of the government.

In India, Parliament usually meets three times in a year: 

1. Budget Session
2. Monsoon Session
3. Winter Session.

The functioning of these sessions is guided by the Constitution of India and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of both Houses. 

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The constitutional framework governing Parliamentary sessions is laid down in Article 85 of the Indian Constitution.

Article 85(1) states that the President of India shall summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as considered appropriate. It also ensures continuity in Parliamentary functioning by mandating that the gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months.

Article 85(2) grants the President the power to prorogue (end a session of) either House or both Houses of Parliament. The President is empowered to dissolve the Lok Sabha, which brings its tenure to an end and leads to fresh elections. However, this power is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Together, these provisions ensure regular sittings of Parliament, smooth conduct of legislative business, and democratic accountability.

Also read: Separation of Powers in India [UPSC Notes]

To ensure regular law-making and discussion on national issues, the Indian Parliament usually meets three times a year. However, the Constitution does not fix the number of sessions or sitting days. It only requires that Parliament meets at least once every six months.

1. Budget Session

The Budget Session is the longest and most important session of Parliament. It begins with the President’s Address and includes the presentation of the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Key features:

• Usually held from February to March
• The Union Budget is presented and debated
• Includes a recess for Parliamentary Committees to examine budget demands

Main objectives:

• Discussion and approval of the annual Union Budget
• Examination of government expenditure and revenue plans
• Ensuring financial accountability and transparency
• Discussion on financial bills and other legislation
• Debates on policy matters and national issues

2. Monsoon Session

The Monsoon Session is mainly devoted to legislative business and discussion on current national concerns. Key features:

• Usually held during July–August
• Introduction and passage of important bills
• Active participation of opposition parties
• Law-making and detailed debates on bills
• Discussion on urgent public and political issues
• Holding the government accountable through debates and questions

3. Winter Session

The Winter Session is the last session of the calendar year and plays an important role in reviewing government performance. Key features:

• Usually held during November–December
• Discussion on pending and new bills
• Review of government policies and programmes
• Question Hour, debates, and motions to assess executive performance
• Clearing legislative backlog, if any

4. Special Session

A Special Session of Parliament is convened to deal with specific or urgent matters of national importance, outside the regular sessions. Key features:

• Not specifically mentioned in the Constitution
• Called for a special agenda or historic event
• Can involve legislative or constitutional discussions

Article 352 mentions a special sitting of Parliament in the context of a National Emergency

Examples of Special Sessions:

• 1962 – India-China War
• 1971 – India-Pakistan War

Must cover: Union Budget 2026 Highlights & Summary PDF for UPSC

The functioning of Parliamentary sessions follows a well-defined set of procedures to ensure order, continuity, and effective conduct of business. These procedures govern a session from its beginning to its conclusion and help Parliament perform its legislative and supervisory roles smoothly. At times, sessions may be shortened, postponed, or split to meet special circumstances. 

1. Summoning

A Parliamentary session formally begins with summoning.

• The President of India summons each House of Parliament
• Done on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs

As per Article 85, Parliament must meet:

• At least twice a year
• With not more than six months’ gap between two sessions
• Summoning ensures that Parliament meets regularly to perform its constitutional duties.

2. Adjournment

Adjournment refers to the temporary suspension of a sitting of Parliament.

• Can be for a few hours, days, or weeks
• Does not terminate a session
• Pending bills and business remain unaffected and resume later
• Done by the Presiding Officer of the House

A sitting of Parliament may end in one of the following ways:

• Adjournment
• Adjournment sine die
• Prorogation
• Dissolution (Lok Sabha only)

3. Adjournment Sine Die

Adjournment sine die means ending a sitting without fixing a date for the next meeting.

• Declared by the Presiding Officer
• The House can be reconvened anytime
• Usually precedes prorogation by the President
• It marks the informal end of the sitting before the session is officially closed.

4. Prorogation

Prorogation formally brings a session of Parliament to an end.

• Done by the President of India under Article 85
• A session begins with the first sitting and ends with prorogation

After the House is adjourned sine die:

• The President issues a notification of prorogation
• The President may also prorogue the House while it is in session
• Pending bills do not lapse on prorogation.

5. Recess

A recess is the period between two Parliamentary sessions.

• It begins after prorogation
• Ends when the House is summoned again
• The recess period cannot exceed six months

This ensures Parliament meets at least twice every year, maintaining legislative continuity.

6. Dissolution

Dissolution refers to the complete termination of the Lok Sabha. It takes place:

• Automatically after five years, or
• Earlier by a Presidential order
• Requires fresh elections

Unlike prorogation:

• Dissolution is final and irreversible
• All pending bills lapse
• The Rajya Sabha is not dissolved, as it is a permanent body

Quick Revision Table: Parliamentary Procedures

Must cover: Monetary Policy in India: Complete Notes for UPSC Indian Economy

A Session of Parliament is not a single-day event but a broader period during which Parliament meets regularly to conduct its business. Within a session, there are multiple meetings and sittings, each playing a specific role in the daily functioning of Parliament.

1. Session

• A session is the period between the summoning of Parliament and its prorogation
• It includes all meetings held during that time
• Parliament usually meets in three sessions each year (Budget, Monsoon, Winter)

In simple terms, a session is the overall timeframe during which Parliament works continuously.

2. Meetings

• A meeting refers to the assembly of a House on a particular day
• A session consists of many such meetings
• Each meeting generally lasts for one day

Example: If Parliament meets for 20 days during a session, it means there are 20 meetings in that session.

3. Sittings

• Each meeting of a day is divided into two sittings
• Sittings help structure the day’s business efficiently

Types of sittings:

• Morning Sitting: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Post-Lunch Sitting: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

These sittings include Question Hour, Zero Hour, debates, and legislative business.

Also see: Economic Survey 2026: Key Highlights, Analysis & Summary PDF (UPSC)

A clear understanding of the sessions of the Indian Parliament helps UPSC aspirants understand how laws are framed, budgets are passed, and the government is held accountable. Mastering this topic strengthens core concepts of Indian Polity and plays a crucial role in scoring well in both Prelims and Mains examinations.

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