Constitution Section 118 — Rules of procedure

Part V — THE UNION — Procedure Generally

Constitutional

Summary

Each House of Parliament can create its own rules for how it runs its meetings and conducts its work, as long as those rules follow the Constitution. Until those new rules are made, the old rules and standing orders that were used by the Indian Legislature before the Constitution came into effect will continue to apply to Parliament, but the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can change or adjust them as needed. The President, after talking with the Chairman and the Speaker, can make rules for how the two Houses should work together in a joint sitting or communicate with each other. When both Houses meet together in a joint sitting, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha will be in charge, or if the Speaker is absent, someone else chosen according to the rules made by the President will preside.

Official Text

(1) Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedureand the conduct of its business.

(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.

(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.

(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.