Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.

2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is 2 only.

To understand why only Statement 2 is correct, we need to carefully examine the constitutional rules governing the lapsing of Bills in the Indian Parliament — specifically the distinction between prorogation and dissolution, and the distinction between Bills in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Understanding Key Terms First:

Prorogation means the termination of a session of Parliament by the President. It does not end the existence of the House — Parliament simply goes into recess and resumes later. Dissolution, on the other hand, means the end of the term of the Lok Sabha itself, after which a fresh general election takes place.

Analysing Statement 1:
"A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation."

This statement is incorrect. Prorogation of Parliament does not cause a Bill pending in the Lok Sabha to lapse. The business of the House — including pending Bills — is resumed when the next session begins. Bills lapse in the Lok Sabha only upon its dissolution, not upon mere prorogation. Prorogation only ends the current session; it does not wipe out the legislative agenda. Therefore, Statement 1 is false.

Analysing Statement 2:
"A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha."

This statement is correct. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House — it is never dissolved. Since the Rajya Sabha continues its existence uninterrupted, any Bill that is pending before it (and has not yet been passed by the Lok Sabha) does not lapse merely because the Lok Sabha is dissolved. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha affects only those Bills that were pending before the Lok Sabha itself. A Bill sitting in the Rajya Sabha awaiting its turn is unaffected by what happens to the Lok Sabha. Therefore, Statement 2 is true.

Summary of Rules on Lapsing of Bills:

• A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha → lapses on dissolution of the Lok Sabha (NOT on prorogation).
• A Bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha → lapses on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha that has not yet been passed by the Lok Sabha → does not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha, because the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.
• A Bill passed by both Houses but awaiting Presidential assent → does not lapse.

Since Statement 1 wrongly attributes lapsing to prorogation (instead of dissolution), it is incorrect. Since Statement 2 correctly identifies that a Bill pending only in the Rajya Sabha survives the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, it is correct. Hence, the answer is 2 only.