UPSC Prelims 2015 GS Paper I · Q37 of 100 Polity & Governance easy

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

  1. (a) a simple majority of members present and voting ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) three-fourths majority of members present and voting
  3. (c) two-thirds majority of the Houses
  4. (d) absolute majority of the Houses

Why the answer is (a)

• A joint sitting under Article 108 is summoned by the President to resolve a deadlock between the Houses over an ordinary bill; the Speaker presides.

• The bill is deemed passed if approved by a majority of the total members of both Houses present and voting — a simple majority — option (a).

• Since Lok Sabha's numbers dominate, this favours the Lower House; it has been used only thrice (Dowry Prohibition 1961, Banking Service Commission 1978, POTA 2002).

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) three-fourths majority of members present and voting
No three-fourths majority is required.
(c) two-thirds majority of the Houses
No two-thirds majority is required.
(d) absolute majority of the Houses
Simple majority of present and voting, not absolute majority.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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