UPSC Prelims 2015 · Question 37 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2015 question on Joint Sitting Majority
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2015
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectPolity
- TopicParliament
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeDirect
When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
Show answer
Answer: A. a simple majority of members present and voting
Verdict
The answer is a simple majority of members present and voting. A joint sitting passes a Bill by a majority of the total members of both Houses present and voting.
Analysis
Article 108 provides the joint sitting as an extraordinary mechanism to resolve a deadlock between the two Houses over an ordinary Bill, and the Bill is then passed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting, that is a simple majority. Because the Lok Sabha is much the larger House, the arrangement structurally favours the lower House. Three fourths, two thirds and absolute majorities are special majorities used for constitutional amendments, removal proceedings and comparable matters, and none of them applies here.
Source
M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, on Article 108.
How to crack it
Sort every parliamentary vote into simple, absolute, effective or special majority, and remember that special majorities are reserved for constitutional amendment and removal proceedings. A joint sitting is an ordinary legislative device, so it takes an ordinary majority. Note also the standing exclusion: a joint sitting is not available for a Money Bill or a Constitutional Amendment Bill, which is a favourite follow up question.