When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) a simple majority of members present and voting
Article 108(4) says a bill at a joint sitting is passed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting. That is a simple majority of those present and voting. No special majority is needed.
- ✓ (a) Article 108(4) requires a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting. Article 100(1) adds that all questions at a joint sitting are decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting.
- ✗ (b) The Constitution prescribes no three-fourths majority for passing a bill at a joint sitting.
- ✗ (c) A two-thirds majority is part of the special majority for constitutional amendments under Article 368. That requires a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting, in each House separately. Amendment bills never go to a joint sitting.
- ✗ (d) An absolute majority means more than half of the total membership of the Houses. Article 108(4) does not require this, only a majority of those present and voting.
Remember · Joint sitting (Article 108) passes a bill by a simple majority of members present and voting. It is not available for Money Bills or constitutional amendment bills.
Sources
- Constitution of India (official text), Article 108(4) ↗ “is passed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed for the purposes of this Constitution to have been passed by both Houses … all questions at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of the Houses shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
