Parliament Budget Session 2025 is being held from January 31 to April 4, 2025, in two phases. The first session will be concluded on February 13 while the second session will begin on March 10. Budget Session 2025 consists of 16 Bills including the Finance Bill, Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and Immigration and Foreigners Bill. Key discussions will focus on economic policies, taxation reforms, banking regulations, and disaster management. The session will also deliberate on Demands for Grants for 2025-26 and supplementary allocations for 2024-25, shaping India’s fiscal and legislative framework for the upcoming year.
Source: sansad.in
Sessions of Parliament in India
Parliamentary sessions are essential for governance, allowing lawmakers to deliberate on policies, pass laws, and oversee the executive. Article 85 of the Indian Constitution governs the convening, prorogation, and dissolution of parliamentary sessions.
Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Provision |
| 85(1) | The President summons each House of Parliament at such times and places as deemed appropriate, ensuring no more than six months pass between sessions. |
| 85(2) | The President has the authority to prorogue or dissolve the Lok Sabha when required. |
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Types of Parliamentary Sessions
India's Parliament typically holds three regular sessions annually:
1. Budget Session (February - March)
- Objective: Discuss and approve the Union Budget.
- Activities:
- President's Address.
- Presentation and debate on the Budget.
- Review of budgetary allocations by Parliamentary Committees.
2. Monsoon Session (July - August)
- Objective: Legislative discussions and addressing national issues.
- Activities:
- Introduction and passage of bills.
- Debates on government policies and opposition concerns.
3.Winter Session (November - December)
- Objective: Legislative business and review of government performance.
- Activities:
- Introduction of new bills.
- Scrutiny of pending legislation.
- Discussion on governance effectiveness.
Let us now look at the key highlights of the Budget Session 2025 along with the list of bills.
Overview
- Session Dates: January 31, 2025 – April 4, 2025
- Recess Period: February 13 - March 9, 2025
- Break: February 13 – March 10, 2025
- Resumption Date: March 10, 2025
- Conclusion Date: April 4, 2025
- Total Sittings: 27 (9 in the first part, 18 in the second part)
- Total Bills: 16 (to be introduced), 13 (for consideration and passage)
- Major Focus Areas: Economic reforms, governance, financial policies, and legislative amendments
- Key Events:
- January 31, 2025: President Droupadi Murmu address to both Houses
- January 31, 2025: Economy Survey presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- February 1, 2025: Union Budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- Discussion Topics: Price rise, unemployment, economic growth, and taxation reforms
Bills to be Introduced
| S.No. | Bill Name | Purpose |
| 1. | The Finance Bill, 2025 | Governs financial proposals, including taxation changes and economic reforms |
| 2. | The Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 | Addresses financial security in the aviation sector |
| 3. | The Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 | Renames the Institute of Rural Management Anand and elevates it to national importance |
| 4. | The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 | Updates regulations on immigration and entry of foreigners |
| 5. | The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Strengthens banking governance and consumer protection |
| 6. | The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Merges Indian Railways and Indian Railways Board Acts |
| 7. | The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Transfers disaster planning responsibility to central and state agencies |
| 8. | The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 | Updates laws governing oil exploration and extraction |
Bills for Consideration and Passage
| S.No. | Bill Name | Purpose |
| 1. | The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Strengthens governance in the banking sector |
| 2. | The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Unifies regulatory framework for Indian Railways |
| 3. | The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Improves disaster response mechanisms |
| 4. | The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 | Enhances regulatory framework for oil exploration |
| 5. | The Boilers Bill, 2024 | Introduces stricter industrial safety measures |
| 6. | The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | Proposes 44 changes to Waqf management laws |
| 7. | The Musalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 | Repeals outdated waqf laws |
| 8. | The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024 | Updates maritime trade laws |
| 9. | The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 | Modernizes sea cargo regulations |
| 10. | The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 | Enhances regulations for domestic coastal shipping |
| 11. | The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 | Strengthens international maritime trade framework |
| 12. | The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 | Reallocates assembly seats for better tribal representation |
Key Financial Business
- Demands for Grants 2025-26: Discussion, voting, and passage of related Appropriation Bill
- Demands for Excess Grants 2021-22: Approval and passage of financial adjustments
- Supplementary Demands for Grants 2024-25: Additional budgetary provisions discussion and approval
Highlights of Key Bills
1. Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Proposed Changes: 44 amendments to Waqf laws governing Muslim charitable properties
- Controversy: Opposition raised concerns over the exclusion of their recommendations
- Status: Referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which has made 14 recommendations
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Source: livelaw.in
2. Finance Bill, 2025
- Potential Reforms: Introduction of a Simplified Income Tax Code
- Objectives:
- Ease tax compliance
- Enhance clarity in tax regulations
- Boost taxpayer convenience
- Status: Discussion pending, possible separate introduction of tax code reforms
3. Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Purpose: Strengthen banking governance, improve customer services
- Proposed Changes: Improved investor protection and streamlined nominations
4. Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Key Changes:
- Shifts disaster planning to central and state authorities
- Introduces a unified national disaster response database
5. Coastal & Merchant Shipping Bills
- Objective: Modernization of maritime trade laws, improving shipping efficiency
- Bills Covered:
- Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
- Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
- Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
- Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
Conclusion
The Budget Session 2025 will be a crucial period for economic and governance reforms, with major legislation addressing financial, infrastructural, and regulatory improvements. Intense debates are expected, particularly on taxation policies, banking reforms, and waqf law amendments. The session's outcomes will significantly shape India's policy and financial landscape for the coming years.
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