Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 118 Simplified: Rules of procedure

Article 118 gives each House the power to make its own 'Rule Book.' They decide how long a debate lasts, how questions are asked (Question Hour), and how members should behave. The government cannot interfere with these internal rules.

Official Text

(1) Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business. (2) Until rules are made under clause (1), the rules of procedure and standing orders in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution with respect to the Legislature of the Dominion of India shall have effect in relation to Parliament subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be made therein by the Chairman of the Council of States or the Speaker of the House of the People, as the case may be. (3) The President, after consultation with the Chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker of the House of the People, may make rules as to the procedure with respect to joint sittings of, and communications between, the two Houses. (4) At a joint sitting of the two Houses the Speaker of the House of the People, or in his absence such person as may be determined by rules of procedure made under clause (3), shall preside.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Imagine Parliament is like a huge debate club. Article 118 says the club members get to write their own rule book about who speaks first, how long they speak, and how they behave. The rules also say the Lok Sabha Speaker is in charge when both Houses meet together.

Student Mode

Article 118 ensures legislative autonomy: (1) Each House of Parliament has the power to make rules for regulating its procedure and the conduct of its business. (2) This includes practices like Question Hour, Zero Hour, and the committee system. (3) The President can make rules for joint sittings after consulting the Speaker and Chairman. (4) Crucially, Article 118(4) mandates that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over all joint sittings of Parliament.

Example

Under Article 118, each House makes its own rules governing its daily schedule. This includes setting aside the first hour of every sitting (Question Hour) for MPs to ask questions to ministers, and the Zero Hour for raising urgent public matters.

Key Takeaway

Each House is the master of its own internal working rules.

FAQs

Who presides over a joint sitting of Parliament if the Speaker is absent?

Under the Joint Sitting Rules, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha presides. If they are also absent, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha (VP) does not preside.

Can the courts interfere with the rules of procedure made by Parliament?

Under Article 122, courts are prohibited from questioning the validity of any proceedings in Parliament on the ground of any alleged irregularity of procedure. Parliament has sole jurisdiction over its rules.

What are Question Hour and Zero Hour?

Question Hour is the first hour of a sitting where MPs ask questions to ministers. Zero Hour is an informal Indian innovation following Question Hour where MPs can raise urgent public matters without prior notice. Both are governed by rules made under Article 118.

Quiz

Under Article 118(4), who presides over a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament?

Answer: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha

The power of each House of Parliament to make rules for its procedure is granted by:

Answer: Article 118