Bill
Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 6 "The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive"
Meaning
A bill is a draft of a proposed law. It is introduced in a legislature and debated there. In Parliament, it becomes an Act (a law) after both Houses pass it and the President gives assent (formal approval) under Art. 111. In a state legislature, it needs the Governor's assent. A bill goes through stages called readings, and it may also be examined closely by a committee (a small group of members).
Example
The Right to Education (RTE) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2008. A committee studied it, and it became the RTE Act in 2009.
Don't confuse with
- Act: a bill becomes an Act only after it passes the legislature and gets assent. Until then, it is only a proposal.
- Delegated legislation: these are rules and regulations the executive makes under an Act that already exists. They are not passed as bills.