Under the Constitution of India, which Article specifically deals with the President Special Address to both Houses of Parliament at the beginning of the first session after each general election and at the first session of each year?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Article 87

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India lays down detailed rules about how Parliament is summoned, prorogued, and addressed by the President. One important constitutional provision relates to the President Special Address at the beginning of certain sessions. This address outlines the policies and programmes of the government and allows members to hold a discussion on them. The question tests whether you can correctly identify the Article of the Constitution that deals specifically with this Special Address requirement.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The subject is the President Special Address to Parliament.
  • The options are Articles 87, 86, 85, and 84 of the Constitution of India.
  • We assume awareness that not all these Articles relate to the same topic.
  • The focus is on the Article that mandates the Special Address at the beginning of certain sessions.


Concept / Approach:
Article 87 of the Constitution of India deals explicitly with the special address by the President. It provides that the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha and at the commencement of the first session of each year. Article 86 deals with the right of the President to address and send messages to Parliament more generally. Article 85 deals with summoning, prorogation, and dissolution of the Lok Sabha, and Article 84 relates to qualifications for membership of Parliament. Therefore, the correct Article for the Special Address is Article 87.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Article 87 mentions the President Special Address to both Houses at specific times.Step 2: Remember that this address occurs at the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha and at the first session of each year.Step 3: Distinguish this from Article 86, which gives the President a general right to address one or both Houses and to send messages.Step 4: Note that Article 85 deals with summoning and prorogation of Parliament and dissolution of the Lok Sabha, not the content of the Special Address.Step 5: Recognise that Article 84 is about qualifications of Members of Parliament and is unrelated to presidential addresses.Step 6: Conclude that Article 87 is the correct Article related to the President Special Address requirement.


Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian polity textbooks list Article 87 under headings such as Special Address and President Address to Parliament. They explain that this Article originally required the President to address at the commencement of every session, but this was later modified by a constitutional amendment to the current arrangement of the first session of the year and the first session after general elections. The same books treat Article 86 separately as dealing with a general right of address and messages. This clear separation confirms that Article 87 is the one that directly answers the question.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Article 86: It deals with the right of the President to address either House and send messages but does not set out the mandatory Special Address at specific sessions.
  • Article 85: It concerns the summoning and prorogation of Parliament and the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, not the content or requirement of the President address.
  • Article 84: It lays down qualifications for membership of Parliament and is unrelated to presidential addresses or sessions.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse Articles 86 and 87 because both involve the President speaking to Parliament. A good way to remember is that Article 87 is about the Special Address at the start of certain sessions, while Article 86 describes a general right to address and send messages at any time. Keeping a simple mental map of Articles 84 to 87 together helps: 84 is qualifications, 85 is summoning and prorogation, 86 is general address, and 87 is the Special Address requirement.


Final Answer:
The Article of the Constitution of India that relates specifically to the President Special Address at the beginning of certain sessions is Article 87.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion