Bills and Acts in Indian Parliament

Reviewed by:

Nafeez Khan

Bills and Passing of an Act

The most significant function of the Parliament is to make legislative decisions. One of the important legislative decisions is such as making a law. The Parliament also has to ensure that the amendment of the law. Bills are the first draft that is given to the Parliament under all the legislative proposals. Hence, A bill is the blueprint of a legislative proposal, which becomes law after receiving the approval of both the houses of the Parliament and the consent of the President. This is how bills and passing of an act are done.

What is a Bill?

A bill is the outline of a legislative proposal. It turns into law after it receives the approval of both the houses and the consent of the President. Hence, it is critical to get approval from the houses and the President. There are four types of bills. Types of bills in India include money bills, ordinary bills, finance bills, and constitutional amendment bills. It is published in the Official Gazette after a Bill has been introduced. However, it can get published in the Gazette with the prior permission of the speaker. Hence, when asked, “What is a bill?” It is the draft of a legislative proposal.

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Types of Bills

Public bills and Private bills are the two types of bills in Indian parliament. However, both the bills follow the same procedure and pass through the same steps in both houses of the Parliament. The differences between the two types of bills are as follows:

Private Bills	Public Bills
It is introduced by any member of the Parliament.	It is introduced by the minister only.
It shows the stand of the opposition party on public affairs.	It shows the policies of the government.
It is not that easy to pass.	It is easy to pass.
The introduction of this type of bill requires a month’s notice period.	The introduction of this type of bill requires 7 days notice period.

How Many Types of Bills

1. Ordinary Bills: These bills are related to financial matters. The ordinary bills go through five stages to become a law.

First Reading - The bill is introduced by the minister or any member of the Parliament. It is then published in the Gazette of India.
Second Reading: In this stage, the bill goes through general discussion, committee stage, and consideration stage. Hence, the bill goes through detailed scrutiny, which includes discussing each and every clause.
Third Reading: No amendments shall be granted at this stage. Simple voting of the members is used for the passing of the bill. After that, the bill is sent to the other House for approval.
Bill in the Second House: The bill will go through voting of the majority of members in the House. The bills will be sent to the president if the bill doesn't ask for any amendment.
Assent of the President: The final status of the bill depends on the president. The bill becomes an act if the president gives his assent, or else the bill ends.

2. Money Bills: These bills are concerned with financial matters such as public expenditure, taxation, etc. As per article 110(1) of the constitution, a bill is called a money bill if it has to deal with abolition, remission, imposition, alteration, or regulation of any tax, fines, etc. The certificate given by the speaker cannot be challenged at any cost. A president has the power to introduce a money bill in the Lok sabha.

3. Finance Bills: These bills are related to those financial matters which are not a part of money bills. It includes the bill concerning the revenue and expenditure. They can be subdivided into three kinds - Money bills, financial bills(I), and financial bills(II). All types of money bills can be financial bills. However, all the financial bills are not money bills. The President has the power to introduce the Financial bill (I) in the Lok sabha only. However, the financial bill (II) can be introduced with the consent of the President in both the houses of the parliament. The bill can also be amended or rejected by any of the houses.

4. Constitution Amendment Bills: These are the bills concerned with the amendment of provisions of the Constitution. Bills are targeted to amend all other provisions of the Constitution. This also includes those which are mentioned in the proviso to Article 368(2). These bills are not introduced in the state legislature but can be introduced in the House of Parliament. These bills do not require the approval of the president.

Hence, when asked how many types of bill, it is clear now that we have four types of bill.

Most Recent Bills Passed

Different types of bills are passed in the past but, very few of them are accepted and taken as an act. The following are very recent bills which are passed and brought some reform in society.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill, which had passed both the houses followed by the assent of the President, had led to a number of protests. This Bill, which is now an act, had allowed giving grant Indian citizenship to Buddhist, Hindu Jain, Sikh, and Christian minorities who flew from Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh before 2015.
The triple Talaq Bill, which promotes instant divorce, had been proved as a major win for Muslim women when the Parliament passed the Triple Talaq Bill. The practice of this can result in a jail term of up to three years.
Parliament passed a central Educational Institutions Bill which suggests recruiting for 80,000 direct vacancies by direct recruitment as per the new quota. This move is very inclusive in nature as it is taking people from different categories.
The Motor Vehicle Bill 2019 makes the road safer by increasing the penalty on the violators of the traffic rule. This rule had made people more cautious and careful while on the road.
The Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019, was passed to merge the two Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu to reduce the administrative cost and improve the development of these regions.
Parliament recently passed a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 30 to 33. The expenditure for these new Supreme Court judges will come up to 7 Crore.

Difference between Money Bill and Financial Bill

Money Bill	Finance Bill
Money Bill	Financial Bill – I	Financial Bill – II
President needs to give his/her recommendation for such bills.	The recommendation of the President of India is required to introduce Financial Bill- I.	The recommendation of the President of India is not required to introduce Financial Bill- II.
These bills cannot be rejected or amended by Rajya Sabha.	Rajya Sabha has the control to amend or reject Financial Bill – I	Rajya Sabha has the control to amend or reject Financial Bill – II
The speaker of the Lok Sabha decides if the bill is Money Bill or not.	This Bill does not need any kind of approval from any Speaker to called it a Financial Bill-I	This Bill does not need any kind of approval from the Speaker to call it is as Financial Bill-II
The recommendation of the President of India is required to introduce Money Bill.	The recommendation of the President of India is required to introduce Financial Bill – I	The recommendation of the President of India is not required to introduce Financial Bill – II
Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha	Financial Bill-I can be introduced only in Lok Sabha	Financial Bill-II can be introduced in Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha
The joint sitting of Rajya sabha and Lok Sabha can be used for fixing a deadlock on Money Bill.	President can request a joint sitting of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can be used to fix a deadlock on this bill.	President can request a joint sitting of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can be used to fix a deadlock on this bill.
Money Bills are administered with Article 110 of the Constitution	Finance Bill-I is administered with Article 117(1) of the Constitution	Finance Bill-II is administered with Article 117(3) of the Constitution.
Money Bill is a type of Government Bill	An ordinary bill example is Financial Bill-I	An ordinary bill example is Financial Bill-II.

Interesting Facts About Parliament of India

The shape of the Parliament of India is circular. This circular shape depicts "Continuity." The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha halls are also constructed in the shape of a horseshoe.
The oldest member who served the Parliament of India is Rishang Keishing. He retired at the age of 92 after serving the Rajya Sabha twice.
Meira Kumar is the first female speaker of Parliament of India.

FAQs on Bills and Acts in Indian Parliament

1. Which bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha?

The types of bills in India that can be introduced only in Lok Sabha are Money Bills and Financial Bills (Category A). Financial Bill Category A can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on the order of the President. After it is passed by the Lok Sabha, it will act as an ordinary bill, and there shall be no control of Rajya Sabha on such bills. Money bill

2. What are the two types of bills, and how is it passed in India?

The two types of bills are the public bill and the private bill. They can also be classified as Money Bill, Financial Bill, ordinary bills, and constitutional amendment bills. These bills can be introduced in the Indian Parliament, and the process of them becoming laws is slightly different. But, the general process is, they have to be passed in both Houses and get the presidential assent. However, money bills have to get approval from both houses.