Rules of procedure

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Article 118 (Rules of procedure): Regulates the composition, procedures, privileges, and law-making rules of Parliament under Part V.

In Simple Citizen Words

Article 118 governs 'Rules of procedure' in Part V, Chapter II (Parliament). It lays down the constitutional rulebook for how Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are constituted, how presiding officers (Speaker/Chairman) function, member qualifications/disqualifications, quorum, passage of ordinary and financial Bills, budget grants, and parliamentary privileges. Specifically: (1) Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business. (2) Until rules are made under clause (1), the rules of procedure and standing...

Key Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Mandate (Art. 118): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Rules of procedure' under Part V

Structured across 6 clause(s) with clear procedural conditions

Requires transparent Parliamentary law-making and democratic accountability rather than arbitrary executive action

Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions

All Parliamentary legislation and rules of procedure are subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights (Article 13), and the Basic Structure doctrine.

Why This Matters in Daily Life

Protects democratic representation by ensuring national laws and public budgets are passed only through transparent parliamentary rules.

Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates:

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Dr. B. R. Ambedkar & G. V. Mavalankar

Drafting Chairman & Speaker of Assembly • January 3 – May 20, 1949

🏛️ Constituent Assembly Debates (1946–1949)

Core Constitutional Debate & Dilemma

Framing context for Article 118: Designing a bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) with daily executive accountability, transparent Money Bill controls, and independent legislative secretariat.

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"In a parliamentary democracy, the assessment of responsibility of the Executive is both daily and periodic. The daily assessment is done by members of Parliament through questions, resolutions, no-confidence motions, and debates."

Assembly Resolution & Final Synthesis

Constitutional resolution in Article 118: Codified Articles 79–123 establishing bicameral legislative procedures, Lok Sabha supremacy over Money Bills (Arts 109–110), and Parliamentary appropriation control over the Consolidated Fund.

🏛️ Constitutional Significance: During the Constituent Assembly deliberations, Article 118 was codified as an integral pillar of India's constitutional governance.

Official Constitutional Text (Gazette Bare Act)

Authoritative statutory text as enacted and amended by Parliament • Clause-by-Clause Statutory Breakdown

India Code • Govt. of India Archive

Clause (1)

Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

Clause (2)

Until rules are made under clause (1), the rules of procedure and standing orders in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution with respect to the Legislature of the Dominion of India shall have effect in relation to Parliament subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be made therein by the Chairman of the Council of States or the Speaker of the House of the People, as the case may be.

Clause (3)

The President, after consultation with the Chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker of the House of the People, may make rules as to the procedure with respect to joint sittings of, and communications between, the two Houses.

Clause (4)

At a joint sitting of the two Houses the Speaker of the House of the People, or in his absence such person as may be determined by rules of procedure made under clause (3), shall preside.

Public Domain & Statutory Authenticity Notice

Under Section 52(1)(q) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, the Constitution of India, Bare Acts of Parliament, Gazette Notifications, and Judicial Judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts are in the Public Domain. Text is reproduced from the official Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India (India Code) archives.

Then vs Now: Constitutional Evolution & Visual Diff

Rules of procedure

🟢 Original 1950 Text Intact (Zero Textual Repeal) Baseline: Jan 26, 1950 → Today

ORIGINAL BASELINE (1950)

Enacted on 26 January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly of India. The foundational constitutional text of Article 118 (Rules of procedure) has remained intact since Day 1 without parliamentary deletion or repeal.

CURRENT ENFORCEABLE STATUS (TODAY)

100% Original 1950 Text Enforceable Today: Article 118 (Rules of procedure): Regulates the composition, procedures, privileges, and law-making rules of Parliament under Part V.

Key Amendment Milestones & Textual Modifications

Original Enactment by the Constituent Assembly

Year 1950

Why it happened: Crafted by the Founding Fathers & Mothers with enduring constitutional clarity; its core text has stood untouched for over 75 years.

                                    Status: 🟢 Unchanged Since 26 January 1950 — Original Constitutional Mandate Preserved Intact                                

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Rules of procedure

Official Constitutional Text (Gazette Bare Act)

Then vs Now: Constitutional Evolution & Visual Diff

Key Amendment Milestones & Textual Modifications