Article 108 of the Indian Constitution explains the process of a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — when there is a disagreement on a non-Money Bill.
📜 Simplified Explanation of Article 108
🔹 Purpose:
A joint sitting is called to resolve a deadlock between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over a Bill (not a Money Bill).
✅ When is a Joint Sitting Needed?
A Joint Sitting is summoned by the President if:
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One House passes a Bill, and the other House:
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Rejects the Bill, or
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Does not pass the Bill within 6 months, or
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Passes it with amendments not agreeable to the first House.
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In these cases, the President may summon a Joint Sitting of both Houses.
🔹 Who Presides Over the Joint Sitting?
The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over the joint session.
If absent, the Deputy Speaker, or in their absence, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides.
🔹 Exception: No Joint Sitting for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills
Article 108 does not apply to:
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Money Bills (handled under Article 110)
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Constitutional Amendment Bills (handled under Article 368)
✅ Key Points of Article 108
| Situation | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| Bill passed by one House but rejected by the other | Joint Sitting can be called by President |
| Bill stuck in second House for more than 6 months | Joint Sitting can be called |
| Bill amended in second House, but first House disagrees | Joint Sitting can be called |
| Who conducts Joint Sitting | ✅ Speaker of Lok Sabha (or Deputy/Deputy Chairman if Speaker absent) |
| Applicable to | Ordinary Bills only |
| Not applicable to | ❌ Money Bills and ❌ Constitutional Amendments |
🧾 Example
The most famous use of a Joint Sitting was in:
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1978: The Banking Service Commission Repeal Bill
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2002: Prevention of Terrorism Bill (POTA) – passed in Joint Sitting after Rajya Sabha rejected it.
📌 Summary of Article 108
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Resolve deadlock between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha |
| When applicable | Ordinary Bills stuck or rejected in either House |
| Who summons joint sitting | President of India |
| Who presides | Speaker of Lok Sabha |
| Not applicable to | ❌ Money Bills and ❌ Constitutional Amendments |
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