Dissolution of the Lok Sabha

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Article 85(2)(b), Dissolution · Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 5 "Universal Franchise and India's Electoral System"; Class 11, Ch 4 "Executive"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Legislature"

Meaning

Dissolution ends the Lok Sabha itself, not just one sitting or one session. The President dissolves it under Article 85(2)(b). This happens when its five-year term ends, or earlier if the Prime Minister advises it. Fresh general elections follow. Dissolution is the point at which bills lapse (die). Bills pending in the Lok Sabha lapse, and so do bills the Lok Sabha passed that are still pending in the Rajya Sabha. Some bills survive:

  • bills introduced in the Rajya Sabha and still pending there;
  • bills awaiting the President's assent;
  • bills the President has returned for reconsideration;
  • bills for which a joint sitting was notified before dissolution.

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is never dissolved.

Example

The Lok Sabha was dissolved before its full term in 1979, 1991, 1997 and 1999. Each time, the President acted on the advice of the Prime Minister of the day.

Don't confuse with

  • Prorogation: the President ends only a session. The House continues, and pending bills survive.
  • Adjournment sine die: the presiding officer ends a sitting without fixing a date to meet again. The House itself does not end.

Related concepts

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