The President’s Address

The President’s Address

Context

In early 2026, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressed a joint sitting of Parliament at the commencement of the Budget Session. This address serves as a formal statement of the government's agenda and performance for the upcoming year.

About the News

Nature of the Address:

• The address is a constitutional obligation rather than a personal choice of the President.
• It serves as a platform for the executive to inform the legislature of the causes for its summons.

Content and Drafting:

• The speech outlines the government’s proposed policies, legislative initiatives, and achievements.
• Drafting Authority: The text is prepared and approved by the Union Government (the Cabinet), not personally by the President.

Procedural Timeline:

• The address occurs at the first session after a General Election and at the beginning of the first session of every calendar year.

Constitutional Framework (Article 87)

Mandatory Occasions:

• Post-Election: The first session after each General Election to the Lok Sabha.
• Annual: The commencement of the first session of each year (typically the Budget Session).

Historical Evolution:

• Originally, the Constitution required the President to address every session.
• The First Constitutional Amendment Act modified this to the current two-occasion requirement to streamline parliamentary proceedings.

The Motion of Thanks

Procedure:

• Following the address, the speech is debated in both Houses of Parliament.
• Members can move amendments to the motion during this discussion.

Constitutional Significance:

• Voting: The motion must be passed by a simple majority in the Lok Sabha.
• Political Implication: Failure to pass the Motion of Thanks is viewed as a vote of no confidence. Since it signifies that the government has lost the majority of the House, the government is constitutionally required to resign.

Parliamentary Session Terminology

To understand the context of the President's role, it is essential to distinguish between different parliamentary actions:

Key Observations

• Frequency: While convention dictates three sessions a year (Budget, Monsoon, and Winter), the Constitution does not prescribe a minimum number of working days.
• Gap Between Sessions: Article 85 ensures that six months shall not intervene between the last sitting in one session and the date appointed for the first sitting in the next session.

Conclusion

The President’s Address is more than a ceremonial ritual; it is a vital constitutional tool that ensures executive accountability to the legislature. By requiring a Motion of Thanks, the framework maintains a check on the government’s majority and provides a clear roadmap of the nation's governance for the citizens.