Budget Session 2026: Key Concepts Explained

Why in News?

The Budget Session of Parliament 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 28 and continue till April 2

Concepts from Exam Point of view:

Parliamentary sessions are the designated periods when both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet to conduct legislative business.

• Under Article 85 of the Indian Constitution, the President has the power to summon each House at intervals not exceeding six months, ensuring Parliament meets at least twice a year.

By established convention (not a constitutional mandate), India holds three sessions annually:

• Budget Session (January/February to May)
• Monsoon Session (July to August/September)
• Winter Session (November to December)

Key terms related to Parliament session

• Summoning:
  The President officially calls both Houses of Parliament to meet, based on the advice of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA).
• Adjournment:
  It is a temporary break in the proceedings of a House for a specific time (hours, days, or weeks), declared by the Speaker or Chairman. The session continues.
• Adjournment Sine Die:
  When a House is adjourned without fixing the next meeting date, it is called adjournment sine die.
• Prorogation:
  The President formally ends a session of Parliament under Article 85(2). Pending bills remain unaffected.
• Dissolution:
  This applies only to the Lok Sabha. It ends the term of the House and leads to fresh elections. Most pending bills lapse after dissolution.