Monsoon Session of The Parliament

• Start Date: 21 July 2025
• Duration: Till 21 August 2025 (21 sittings)
• Break: 12–18 August (Raksha Bandhan & Independence Day)
• Bills Scheduled: 15 total (8 new bills + 7 pending bills)
• Focus Areas: Finance, commerce, income tax, sports, education, mining, shipping
• New Initiative: Introduction of a digital attendance system for MPs to ensure transparency and curb misuse of allowances
• Context: First session after Operation Sindoor launched in May 2025, a counter-terrorism operation following terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
• Political Climate: Expected to witness heated debates between ruling BJP and opposition Congress-led INDIA bloc

NEW BILLS INTRODUCED

• Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • Amendments to align the Manipur GST Act, 2017, with central GST law.
• Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • Proposed changes to existing tax laws to improve clarity and compliance.
• Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
  • Aims to enhance ease of doing business by reducing compliance requirements and easing regulatory burdens.

• Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • To add IIM Guwahati officially to the schedule of the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017, thus granting it formal recognition as an IIM.

• Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2025
  • Seeks to protect, preserve, and promote sites of geological significance for scientific research, education, and tourism.

• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025
  • Focus on recovery of critical minerals.
  • Provisions for expansion of mining leases.
  • Strengthening of the National Mineral Exploration Trust to promote exploration activities.

• National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
  • To promote sports and welfare of sportspersons.
  • Set governance standards for sports federations.
  • Establish mechanisms for resolving disputes and grievances in sports bodies.
• National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • Updates the 2022 Anti-Doping Act to align with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and international standards.
  • Ensures independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel.

PENDING BILLS UP FOR DISCUSSION

• Income Tax Bill, 2025
  • Intended to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • Seeks to simplify language, remove redundant provisions while retaining existing tax rates and offence provisions.
  • Introduced in Budget Session (Feb 2025) and referred to a Select Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda.
  • Select Committee report expected during this session.

• Scheduled Tribes Representation in Goa Bill, 2024
  • Proposes reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Goa Legislative Assembly by readjusting assembly constituencies.
  • Introduced on 5 August 2024; pending in Lok Sabha.

• Indian Ports Bill, 2025
  • Replaces the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
  • Creates new regulatory bodies such as Maritime State Development Council and State Maritime Boards.

• Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
  • Updates ship registration rules, maritime training, and seafarer welfare regulations.
  • Pending in Lok Sabha.
• Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
  • Regulates domestic coastal shipping activities.
  • Passed Lok Sabha; pending Rajya Sabha.
• Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
  • Modernizes the Sea Transport of Goods Act, 1925.
  • Passed Lok Sabha; pending Rajya Sabha.
• Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
  • Replaces Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856.
  • Updates legal framework for shipping documents used as proof of goods on board.
  • Passed Lok Sabha on 10 March 2025; pending Rajya Sabha.

KEY INITIATIVES & DEVELOPMENT

• Digital Attendance System for MPs:
  • MPs must register presence using digital devices at designated seats.
  • Aims to increase transparency and accountability in parliamentary attendance and prevent misuse of attendance-linked allowances.
• Operation Sindoor:
  • Launched in May 2025 after terror attacks in Pahalgam, J&K.
  • Expected to feature prominently in parliamentary discussions related to national security.
• International Relations Debate:
  • Possible discussions on US President Donald Trump’s claim that he “helped prevent a nuclear conflict” between India and Pakistan.

POLITICAL SCENARIO & EXPECTED DEBATES

• The Monsoon Session is likely to witness intense political debates between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress-led INDIA bloc.
• Opposition is expected to raise questions on Operation Sindoor and government policies.
• Security issues, foreign policy, and governance reforms will dominate discussions.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR SESSIONS

• Article 85(1): Summoning of Parliament
  • The President summons each House of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) to meet at a time and place deemed appropriate.
  • Mandatory Condition: No more than six months should elapse between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next session.
• Article 85(2): Powers of the President
  • The President can prorogue (suspend) either House or both Houses of Parliament.
  • The President has the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha (House of the People).

TYPES OF SESSIONS

• Parliament usually meets three times a year; however, the Constitution does not fix the number of sessions or sitting days.

• Timing: February to March (longest session).
• Purpose:
  • Begins with the President’s address.
  • Presentation and discussion of the Union Budget in Lok Sabha.
  • Parliamentary Committees review budget proposals during recess.
• Activities: Detailed examination, amendments, and approval of the government’s fiscal policy.
• Also includes other legislative business and debates.

• Timing: July to August (coincides with monsoon season).
• Purpose:
  • Introduce and pass important legislation.
  • MPs debate bills and discuss national issues.
  • Government seeks support for its policies, including response to opposition concerns.

• Timing: November to December.
• Purpose:
  • Review government policies and initiatives.
  • Introduction and discussion of new bills.
  • Examine government performance via questions, motions, and debates.

• Not constitutionally defined but convened for urgent or landmark issues.
• Called outside regular sessions by the government.
• Examples:
  • 1962: India-China War.
  • 1971: India-Pakistan conflict discussions.
• Mentioned in Article 352 during Proclamation of Emergency as a “special sitting.”

SCHEDULING & COMPONENTS OF SESSIONS

• Scheduled by: Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA).
• Role of President: Summons MPs, provides official summons with tentative business and number of sittings.
• Components: Each session consists of multiple meetings with morning and afternoon sittings.