The Monsoon Session of Parliament has begun that  will include 21 sittings with the government introducing eight new Bills.

More on News: New Bills to be Introduced in the Monsoon Session are: 

• Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill.
• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill.
• National Sports Governance Bill.

About Sessions of Parliament

• Constitutional Basis:  Article 85 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to summon each House of Parliament. However, there must not be more than six months between two sessions.
  • Article 85(1): President summons Parliament at such time and place as deemed fit.
  • Article 85(2): President may prorogue either or both Houses and dissolve the Lok Sabha.

Types of Sessions

The Constitution does not specify a fixed number of sessions or sitting days.

Special Session

• Not defined in the Constitution, but can be called for specific purposes.
• Usually convened for urgent legislative business or to mark historic events.
• Examples:
  • 1962 – India-China War
  • 1971 – India-Pakistan conflict

What is Question Hour?

• Question Hour is the first hour of a parliamentary sitting, during which Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions.
• In 2014, the Rajya Sabha shifted it from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
• As per Rule 38, one hour of each sitting is designated for this purpose.
• The presiding officers of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are the final authority on conducting Question Hour.
• Question Hour is held daily during sessions, except on two occasions: when the President addresses both Houses and when the Finance Minister presents the Budget.

Significance

• Scrutinizes government policies and administration.
• Highlights public grievances and policy gaps.
• Gauges public response to government initiatives.
• Can lead to further action—e.g., setting up committees or reviewing bills.

Types of Questions

What is Zero Hour?

• Zero Hour is a Parliamentary convention unique to India, not mentioned in the official Rules of Procedure.
• It begins immediately after Question Hour (from 12 noon) and allows MPs to raise urgent matters without prior notice.
• Introduced informally in the 1950s, as MPs needed a space to raise pressing public issues.
• Named “Zero Hour” because it starts at 12:00 p.m., the time between Question Hour and the lunch break.
• Though informal, it is widely recognized due to its utility. Encouraged by citizens, media, MPs, and presiding officers, Zero Hour submissions have become a powerful tool for democratic expression.

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