Prelims 2015 · Polity and Constitution · Question 37
When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
Answer
a simple majority of members present and voting
- (a) Simple majority of members present and voting — Correct. Under Article 108, a bill at a joint sitting is decided by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting.
- (b) Three-fourths majority of members present and voting — Incorrect. The Constitution does not require any such special majority for an ordinary bill at a joint sitting.
- (c) Two-thirds majority of the Houses — Incorrect. A two-thirds majority is used in specific cases like certain constitutional matters, not for a joint sitting on an ordinary bill.
- (d) Absolute majority of the Houses — Incorrect. Absolute majority means more than 50% of the total membership, which is not the rule for passage in a joint sitting.
Answer: (a)