Parliamentary Terms

Adjournment

Suspension of sitting of House for a specified time (hours/days)

Adjournment Sine Die

Termination of a sitting of the House without appointing a day for next meeting

Prorogation

Termination of a session of Parliament by the President

Dissolution

Ending of the life of Lok Sabha by President; Rajya Sabha is not dissolved

Question Hour

First hour of sitting devoted to asking questions to ministers

Zero Hour

Period immediately after Question Hour to raise urgent public matters

Starred Question

Question requiring oral answer and supplementary questions

Unstarred Question

Question requiring written answer; no supplementary questions

Short Notice Question

Question asked with notice less than 10 days on urgent matters

Calling Attention Motion

Procedure to call attention of minister to urgent matter of public importance

Adjournment Motion

Motion to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance by interrupting normal business

No-Confidence Motion

Motion to test confidence of Lok Sabha in Council of Ministers

Confidence Motion

Motion moved by government to prove majority support in Lok Sabha

Censure Motion

Motion expressing strong disapproval of government policies/actions

Privilege Motion

Motion moved against member/minister for breach of parliamentary privilege

Cut Motion

Motion to reduce demand for grants during budget discussion

Guillotine

Undiscussed demands for grants put to vote at fixed time

Whip

Direction issued by political party to members regarding voting

Quorum

Minimum one-tenth of total membership required to conduct business

Money Bill

Bill dealing exclusively with matters under Article 110

Financial Bill

Bill dealing with financial matters but not fulfilling conditions of Money Bill

Ordinary Bill

Any bill other than Money Bill, Financial Bill and Constitutional Amendment Bill

Private Member Bill

Bill introduced by a member who is not a minister

Government Bill

Bill introduced by a minister

Joint Sitting

Joint meeting of both Houses to resolve deadlock on ordinary bills

Vote on Account

Advance grant to meet expenditure for part of financial year

Vote of Credit

Grant for unexpected demand of indefinite character

Token Grant

Grant to meet expenditure on a new service through reappropriation

Appropriation Bill

Bill authorizing withdrawal from Consolidated Fund of India

Finance Bill

Bill giving effect to financial proposals of government

Casting Vote

Vote exercised by presiding officer in case of tie

Division

Recording of votes for and against a motion

Point of Order

Objection raised when House procedure is violated

Lame Duck Session

Last session of existing Lok Sabha after election of new Lok Sabha

Pocket Veto

Power of President to withhold assent to a bill indefinitely

Veto Power

Power of President to reject, return or withhold assent to bills