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Who ordinarily presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament of India?

Article 118(4) provides that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides at a joint sitting. In the Speaker’s absence, rule 6 provides for the Deputy Speaker, then the Deputy…

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Who ordinarily presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament of India?

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Correct answer C

Article 118(4) provides that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides at a joint sitting. In the Speaker’s absence, rule 6 provides for the Deputy Speaker, then the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and then a person chosen by the members present if all three are absent. The President may summon the joint sitting under Article 108.

Option feedback

Option A

Incorrect. Under Article 108(1), the President of India summons a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, but does not preside over or chair the sitting.

Option B

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not the ordinary presiding officer. If both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent, the rules name the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Option C

Correct. Under Article 118(4) of the Constitution of India, at a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, the Speaker of the House of the People (Lok Sabha) — or, in his absence, such person as may be determined by rules of procedure made under Article 118(3) — presides.

Option D

Article 118(4) names the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as the ordinary presiding officer.

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