Joint Session of Parliament

A joint session is a constitutional mechanism for resolving differences in the two Houses of Parliament regarding the passing of a bill. Decision is taken by a majority of the total members present. After the passing of the bill in a joint sitting it is presented to the president for his assent. 

Circumstances that president can call joint sessions of two houses.

• If a bill passed by one house is rejected by the other house.

• When there is disagreement between the Houses regarding the amendments to be made to the bill

• When a bill received for consideration is not passed even after six months

Article 108 deals with a joint session. The concept of a joint session is borrowed from the Australian Constitution. The joint session of Parliament is convened by the President. The joint session is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. In the absence of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides. In the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the joint session is presided over by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. If the Deputy Chairman is also absent, another person chosen by the members present in the joint session will preside. The Vice President, who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, cannot preside over the joint session as he is not a member of Parliament. The rules and procedures of the Lok Sabha are followed for the joint session. The quorum for a joint session is 1/10 of the total members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The quorum is the minimum number of members required to commence a parliamentary proceeding.

Bills that can be passed through a joint session.

1) Ordinary Bill

2) Financial Bill Category 1

3) Financial Bill Category 2

Bills that cannot be passed through a joint session

1) Money Bill

2) Constitutional Amendment Bill