Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: Special Session and Article 85 Explained for UPSC

Context

Special sitting proposed to discuss implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, highlighting use of a session outside the regular calendar.

Constitutional framework
• Article 85 of Indian Constitution

What Article 85 provides

1. Summoning: President summons each House → only on aid & advice of Council of Ministers
2. 6-month rule: Gap between last sitting of one session and first sitting of next session ≤ 6 months
3. Prorogation: President can end a session (does not dissolve House)
4. Dissolution: President can dissolve Lok Sabha (Rajya Sabha is permanent)

Types of sessions

1. Budget – longest, financial business
2. Monsoon – legislative work + oversight
3. Winter – shorter, pending matters
   Not mentioned in Constitution → evolved by practice

Special session: Session called outside these three, generally for a specific national or legislative purpose

How it is called

1. Cabinet identifies need
2. Advises President
3. President summons under Article 85