Who enjoys the power to summon, prorogue either house of Indian Parliament?

Correct option is A

Correct Answer: (a) The President

As per Article 85 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India has the power to summon, prorogue, and dissolve either House of Parliament. However, the President exercises this power on the advice of the Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister.

• Summoning: The President calls the Parliament into session. There cannot be a gap of more than six months between two sessions.
• Prorogation: The President formally ends a session of Parliament.
• Dissolution: The Lok Sabha can be dissolved, but Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved.

Information Booster

• The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
• The maximum gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months.
• The Vice President has no role in summoning or proroguing Parliament.
• Only the Lok Sabha can be dissolved; the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house.
• The President also addresses the first session of each year and after every general election.

Additional Knowledge

• The President: Has the constitutional power to summon, prorogue, and dissolve Parliament but does so on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

• The Prime Minister: Though not directly empowered, the PM advises the President regarding summoning and proroguing Parliament.

• The Vice President: The Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha, but has no role in summoning or proroguing Parliament.

• The Chief Election Commissioner: Responsible for conducting free and fair elections, but has no role in legislative proceedings.