Dissolution of the Lok Sabha
- Automatic dissolution: The Lok Sabha automatically dissolves at the end of its five-year tenure or an extended term during a national emergency.
- Dissolution by the President: The President has the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha at any time. Once dissolved, this action cannot be reversed.
When the Lok Sabha is dissolved, all pending business, including bills, motions, resolutions, notices, and petitions, lapses. These matters must be reintroduced in the newly constituted Lok Sabha if they are to be pursued further.
However, some pending bills and all pending assurances that are to be examined by the Committee on Government Assurances do not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. The position with respect to lapsing of bills is as follows:
- A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses (whether originating in the Lok Sabha or transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha).
- A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses.
- A bill not passed by the two Houses due to disagreement and if the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha, does not lapse.
- A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse.
- A bill passed by both Houses but pending assent of the president does not lapse.
- A bill passed by both Houses but returned by the president for reconsideration of Houses does not lapse.
