Quorum refers to the minimum number of members that are required to be present in a sitting of the house or a Committee for valid transaction of business.
Article 100 of the Indian Constitution states that the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of that House.
Quorum in Indian Parliament
- For the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, a quorum of one-tenth of the total members is required to convene a meeting.
- If a quorum is absent, the Speaker must adjourn the House or postpone the meeting until a quorum is present.
- For both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the Constitution has established a quorum of one-tenth of the total membership. Individual members have a six-year commitment. Whenever there are casual vacancies, they are replaced through bye-elections for the remainder of the term.
- Challenging the Quorum
- Quorum can be challenged by any member of the House.
- If the quorum is challenged, the Speaker or the Chairman can direct that a count of the members present be taken.
- If the quorum is not present, the House is adjourned. However, if the quorum is present, the business of the House is resumed.
