Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 83 Simplified: Duration of Houses of Parliament

Article 83 explains how long the Houses last. The Rajya Sabha never dies; 1/3rd of its members retire every 2 years. The Lok Sabha, however, lasts for 5 years and then must have a new election, unless it's dissolved earlier or extended during an emergency.

Official Text

(1) The Council of States shall not be subject to dissolution, but as nearly as possible one-third of the members thereof shall retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year in accordance with the provisions made in that behalf by Parliament by law. (2) The House of the People, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for [five years] from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer and the expiration of the said period of [five years] shall operate as a dissolution of the House: Provided that the said period may, while a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending in any case beyond a period of six months after the Proclamation has ceased to operate.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Think of the Rajya Sabha like a permanent council of wise adults that never goes away — 1/3 of them retire every 2 years and new ones join. The Lok Sabha is like a student council that gets fully replaced every 5 years. If something very serious happens (like a war), the Lok Sabha's term can be stretched by 1 year at a time.

Student Mode

Article 83 governs the duration of both Houses. Key distinctions: (1) Rajya Sabha is a permanent/continuing body — it cannot be dissolved. 1/3 of its members retire every 2 years ensuring continuity. (2) Lok Sabha normally has a 5-year term from the date of its first meeting. Dissolution ends the Lok Sabha, triggering a General Election. (3) Emergency Extension: During a Proclamation of Emergency, Parliament can extend the Lok Sabha's term by one year at a time, but for no more than 6 months after the emergency ends.

Example

Every 5 years, the Lok Sabha 'dissolves' and we have a General Election. But the Rajya Sabha keeps working even during the election period.

Key Takeaway

Rajya Sabha is permanent; Lok Sabha has a 5-year life cycle.

FAQs

Can the Lok Sabha's term be extended beyond 5 years?

Yes, but only during a Proclamation of Emergency. It can be extended by Parliament by law for one year at a time, but it must end within 6 months of the emergency ceasing.

Why is the Rajya Sabha a 'permanent' house?

Because the entire Rajya Sabha is never dissolved at once. Since members serve 6-year terms and only 1/3 retire every 2 years, the house always has continuing members, ensuring legislative continuity even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.

What happens to pending bills when the Lok Sabha dissolves?

Bills pending only in the Lok Sabha lapse on dissolution. Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha (that were not yet passed by Lok Sabha) do not lapse. This is covered by Article 107.