Previous Year Question
When a Bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
a simple majority of members present and voting
three-fourths majority of members present and voting
two-thirds majority of the Houses
absolute majority of the Houses
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Under Article 108(4) of the Constitution, a Bill at a joint sitting is passed by a majority of the members of both Houses present and voting. This means a simple majority.
The majority is calculated on the combined number of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members present and voting.
Separate majorities in the two Houses are not required.
Members who are absent or present but do not vote are excluded while calculating the majority.
A joint sitting is ordinarily presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. In the Speaker’s absence, the Deputy Speaker presides; in the absence of both, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides.
The President may summon a joint sitting when:
One House rejects a Bill passed by the other House.
The Houses finally disagree regarding amendments to the Bill.
More than six months elapse without the other House passing the Bill.
Exceptions: A joint sitting cannot be held for a Money Bill or a Constitution Amendment Bill. Money Bills follow the special procedure under Article 109, while a Constitution Amendment Bill must be separately passed by each House with the required special majority under Article 368.
Three Bills have historically been passed through joint sittings—the Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1961; the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977; and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.