What are different sessions of the Parliament? Their purposes? 

The Indian Parliament meets three times a year in sessions. These sessions are periods during which the Lok Sabhaand Rajya Sabha conduct legislative business such as passing laws, discussing national issues, and approving budgets.

The President of India summons each session on the advice of the government.


1. Budget Session (February–May)

• Most important and longest session.
• Divided into two parts with a recess in between.
• The Union Budget is presented (usually on February 1).
• Focuses on financial bills, demand for grants, and policy discussions.
• Purpose: Passing the Budget, taxation proposals, financial legislation.

2. Monsoon Session (July–September)

• Held during the monsoon period.
• Often used for debating important bills and national issues.
• Traditionally the shortest among the three.
• Purpose: Legislative business, government policy debates, pending bills.

3. Winter Session (November–December)

• The last session of the year.
• Generally shorter in duration.
• Focuses on key bills and reviewing the government’s performance.
• Purpose: Passing pending bills, policy discussions, supplementary budgets (if needed).

Constitutional Requirement

• Article 85 states: No gap between two sessions can exceed six months.
• This ensures Parliament meets at least twice a year, though India traditionally holds three sessions.

Special (Emergency) Sessions
These are rare and held when needed.
Examples include:

• Midnight session to announce GST (2017)
• Emergency-related sessions
• Special occasions like Constitution anniversaries

Joint Sessions
Held when:

• A bill is passed by one House
• Rejected by the other
• Or stuck due to disagreement
• Presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker.