With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
- 1.Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- 2.Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session.
- 3.Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) 2 and 3
The President prorogues the Houses and dissolves the Lok Sabha under Article 85(2), but under Article 74(1) he acts in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers, so statement 1 is wrong. Prorogation usually follows an adjournment sine die, yet it can take place even while the House is sitting, and dissolution is ordinarily on the Council's advice too.
- ✗ 1. Article 74(1) makes the President act in accordance with the Council of Ministers' advice in exercising his functions, and prorogation is no exception. He may ask the Council to reconsider its advice once, but must then follow it.
- ✓ 2. Prorogation ends a session by the President's order under Article 85(2)(a). It usually follows adjournment sine die, but it can take place at any time, even while the House is sitting.
- ✓ 3. The Lok Sabha is dissolved by the President's order under Article 85(2)(b), and he ordinarily acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74(1). The phrase 'save in exceptional circumstances' does not change that general rule.
Remember · The President prorogues the Houses and dissolves the Lok Sabha, acting on the Council of Ministers' advice (Art 74(1)). Prorogation usually follows adjournment sine die but can occur mid-session.
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions, Lok Sabha (Parliament of India): adjournment, prorogation and dissolution ↗ “The Prorogation of the House may take place any time, even while the House is sitting. However, usually, prorogation follows the adjournment of the sitting of the House sine die.”
- Constitution of India, Article 74(1): Council of Ministers to aid and advise President ↗ “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2024, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·