In the legislative process of India, a bill presented in Parliament becomes an Act after which of the following steps is completed?

Introduction / Context:
Understanding how a bill becomes an Act is a fundamental part of learning Indian Polity. The legislative process involves several stages, but the transformation from a bill to an Act happens at a specific legal point. This question tests whether the learner knows the step at which a bill, after being passed by Parliament, actually acquires the status of an Act of Parliament.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The bill is presented in Parliament and goes through the usual legislative process.
- The question asks when it formally becomes an Act.
- Options include signatures by the Prime Minister, declaration by the Supreme Court, assent by the President, passage by both Houses, and publication before introduction.

Concept / Approach:
According to the Constitution, a bill must be passed by both Houses of Parliament (except in specific cases like money bills or joint sittings) and then presented to the President for assent. It becomes an Act only after the President gives assent. Passage by both Houses is necessary but not sufficient; the President's assent is the final constitutional step that converts the bill into an Act. Courts may review laws later for constitutionality but they do not directly convert bills into Acts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that a bill is introduced in either House of Parliament (except money bills, which start in the Lok Sabha) and goes through first reading, second reading, committee stage, and third reading. Step 2: After being passed by the originating House, the bill goes to the other House for consideration and passage. Step 3: Once both Houses pass the bill in the required form, it is sent to the President. Step 4: Under Article 111, the President may give assent, withhold assent, or return the bill (other than a money bill) for reconsideration. Step 5: The bill becomes an Act of Parliament only when the President gives assent. The date of enforcement may be the date of assent or a later date notified in the Gazette.

Verification / Alternative check:
The text of Article 111 of the Constitution and standard Indian Polity references confirm that Presidential assent is the final step in the legislative process at the Union level. Only after this assent does the bill become an Act, which may then be brought into force by notification. Judicial review or signatures by the Prime Minister are not required for this legal transformation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Prime Minister has signed it: The Prime Minister does not sign bills to make them Acts; the crucial constitutional signature is that of the President.
The Supreme Court has declared it within the competence of Parliament: The Court may review laws for constitutionality, but a bill does not need such a declaration to become an Act.
It is passed by both Houses of Parliament: This is a necessary step but not the final one; Presidential assent is still required.
It is published in the official Gazette before introduction: Bills are usually published when introduced, but this is not the step that makes them Acts.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mistakenly believe that passage by both Houses automatically makes a bill an Act, overlooking the requirement of Presidential assent. Others confuse the role of the judiciary and think legal validity requires a Supreme Court declaration. Understanding the explicit constitutional procedure helps to avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
A bill presented in Parliament becomes an Act after the President has given assent to it.