Adjournment Sine Die: Ending a Parliamentary Session Without a Return Date
- vidyarthee2021
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
The recent Budget Session of the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, marking its conclusion without setting a specific date for the next meeting. This procedural term, rooted in parliamentary tradition, holds significance in the functioning of the Indian legislature.
What is Adjournment Sine Die?
"Sine Die" is a Latin phrase meaning “without assigning a day”.
In parliamentary terminology, Adjournment Sine Die refers to the suspension of a parliamentary session without scheduling a date for its resumption.
It signifies the completion of the business of the session, but the House can be recalled before the next scheduled session, if required.
Who Adjourns the House Sine Die?
The Presiding Officer (Speaker in Lok Sabha, Chairman in Rajya Sabha) announces the adjournment sine die.
Subsequently, the President of India issues a notification to prorogue the House under Article 85 of the Constitution, officially ending the session.
Effect on Legislative Business
Bills and Legislation:Any pending bills in the same House do not lapse. They continue to remain active and can be taken up in the next session.
Other Parliamentary Business:
Notices, such as for questions, motions, and resolutions, generally lapse and need to be resubmitted afresh.
Exceptions exist for items that the rules of procedure or the Presiding Officer allows to carry forward.
Importance for UPSC Preparation
Relevant under Polity – Indian Parliament (GS Paper 2).
Helps in distinguishing between adjournment, adjournment sine die, prorogation, and dissolution.
Frequently appears in Prelims and Mains under parliamentary procedures and functioning of the legislature.
UPSC Prelims Statement-Type Question
Consider the following statements regarding Adjournment Sine Die in the Indian Parliament:
It marks the end of a parliamentary session without fixing a date for the next sitting.
All pending bills in the House lapse upon adjournment sine die.
Adjournment sine die is declared by the President of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct – It reflects the definition of adjournment sine die.
Statement 2 is incorrect – Pending bills in the same House do not lapse.
Statement 3 is incorrect – Adjournment sine die is declared by the Presiding Officer, not the President.
UPSC Mains Question
Discuss the constitutional and procedural distinctions between adjournment, adjournment sine die, prorogation, and dissolution in the Indian parliamentary system. How do these affect the continuity of legislative business?
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