Skip to Content
Article 107 & 108

The Legislative Journey

📢STAGE 01

First Reading (Introduction)

Introduction of the Bill in either House of Parliament.

Explore Details →
🧐STAGE 02

Second Reading

Detailed scrutiny, committee review, and clause-by-clause discussion.

Explore Details →
✅STAGE 03

Third Reading

Final debate and passing by Simple Majority.

Explore Details →
🔄STAGE 04

Bill in Second House

The Second House repeats the 3 readings. It can pass, amend, or reject.

Explore Details →
🤝STAGE 05

Deadlock Resolution

President summons a Joint Sitting if Houses disagree.

Explore Details →
✍️STAGE 06

President's Assent

The President approves, withholds, or returns the Bill.

Explore Details →

Legislative Journey of Ordinary Bills Step-by-Step Details (Articles 107 & 108)

Stage 1: First Reading (Introduction)

Introduction of the Bill in either House of Parliament.

The legislative process begins with the introduction of the Bill. This can be done by a Minister (Government Bill) or a Private Member.

Outcome: The Bill is formally before the House.

Process:

  • Leave to introduce the Bill is asked.
  • If granted, the Bill is introduced.
  • The Bill is published in the Gazette of India.
  • No discussion takes place at this stage.

Stage 2: Second Reading

Detailed scrutiny, committee review, and clause-by-clause discussion.

This is the longest and most critical stage where the Bill is examined in detail.

Outcome: The Bill is shaped into its final form.

Process:

  • Stage of General Discussion: Principles are discussed.
  • Committee Stage: Detailed scrutiny by Select or Joint Committee (Optional but common).
  • Consideration Stage: Clause-by-clause voting and amendments.

Stage 3: Third Reading

Final debate and passing by Simple Majority.

The House votes to pass or reject the Bill as a whole.

Outcome: Bill is passed in the originating House.

Process:

  • Debate is restricted to acceptance or rejection.
  • If passed, the Bill is transmitted to the Second House.

Key Rules:

  • No amendments are allowed (except formal/verbal ones).
  • Requires Simple Majority (More than 50% of present and voting).

Stage 4: Bill in Second House

The Second House repeats the 3 readings. It can pass, amend, or reject.

The Second House goes through First, Second, and Third readings again.

Outcome: Consensus or Deadlock.

Possibilities:

  • Pass the Bill without amendments.
  • Pass with amendments (Bill returns to First House).
  • Reject the Bill completely.
  • Keep the Bill pending (>6 months leads to deadlock).

Stage 5: Deadlock Resolution

President summons a Joint Sitting if Houses disagree.

An extraordinary machinery to resolve deadlocks between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Outcome: Deadlock is resolved.

Process:

  • Applicable ONLY for Ordinary and Financial Bills.
  • NOT applicable for Money or Constitution Amendment Bills.
  • Lok Sabha usually prevails due to larger numbers.

Key Rules:

  • Summoned by: President of India.
  • Presided by: Speaker of Lok Sabha.
  • Governed by: Rules of Lok Sabha.
  • Decision: Simple Majority of TOTAL members present and voting.

Stage 6: President's Assent

The President approves, withholds, or returns the Bill.

The final step for a Bill to become an Act.

Outcome: The Bill becomes the Law of the Land (Act).

Possibilities:

  • Give Assent: Bill becomes an Act.
  • Withhold Assent: Bill ends (Absolute Veto).
  • Return for Reconsideration: Suspensive Veto (Must assent if passed again).