With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements : 1. Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers. 2. Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session. 3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (c)
• Prorogation ends a session of a House and is done by the President under Article 85; like all executive acts it is done on the advice of the Council of Ministers, so statement 1 is wrong.
• Statement 2 is correct: prorogation normally follows adjournment sine die within a few days, but the Constitution places no bar on the President proroguing a House while it is still in session.
• Statement 3 is correct: dissolution of the Lok Sabha is ordered by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in exceptional situations such as when a government has lost its majority and an alternative is possible.
• Adjournment is by the presiding officer; prorogation and dissolution are by the President.
• Hence 2 and 3, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: prorogation is on ministerial advice.
- (b) 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong; statement 3 on dissolution is correct.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 2 on prorogation practice is also correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.