Why in NEWS
The Monsoon Session of Parliament 2025 began recently. During this session, the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, which had already been passed by the Lok Sabha, received approval from the Rajya Sabha.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Parliament Session | Period between the first sitting and prorogation of a House. |
| Recess | Interval between prorogation and reassembly of Parliament. |
| Special Session | Convened for urgent or exceptional matters outside the 3 regular sessions. |
| Summoning | Under Article 85, President summons each House; gap between sessions ≤ 6 months. |
| Adjournment | Temporary suspension by the Presiding Officer (for hours/days). |
| Adjournment sine die | Adjournment without a fixed date. Pending business resumes later. |
| Prorogation | Formal end of a session by the President. |
| Dissolution | End of Lok Sabha; pending business lapses except certain cases. |
| Quorum | Minimum members required: 55 in LS, 25 in RS (1/10th of total strength). |
| Bill of Lading (BoL) | Legal document in maritime trade serving as proof of shipment and ownership. |
Details of the News
- The 2025 Monsoon Session has commenced.
- The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 was passed by both Houses.
- The Bill replaces the colonial Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856.
- It modernizes maritime shipping laws and aligns them with global standards.
- The Bill:
- Declares BoL as conclusive proof of shipment.
- Defines rights and liabilities of the consignee or transferee.
- Empowers the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to implement the provisions.
In a nutshell
Mnemonic: SPAD-QPD
Summoning
Prorogation
Adjournment
Dissolution
Quorum
Proof
Digital upgrade
Use this to recall both parliamentary procedures and key aims of the Bill of Lading Bill.
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following correctly defines ‘Adjournment sine die’?
A. Termination of House by the President
B. Temporary halt of a session for lunch
C. Adjournment without naming a day for reassembly
D. End of the term of Lok Sabha - Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to summon the Houses of Parliament?
A. Article 74
B. Article 80
C. Article 85
D. Article 108 - What is the minimum quorum required in the Rajya Sabha to conduct a sitting?
A. 50
B. 25
C. 30
D. 10% of total strength
Answers – Prelims
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | ‘Adjournment sine die’ means adjourning without specifying the next date. |
| 2 | C | Article 85 empowers the President to summon sessions of Parliament. |
| 3 | B | One-tenth of Rajya Sabha (total strength 250) = 25 members for quorum. |
