The Budget Session of Parliament concluded on Friday with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passing a total of 16 Bills. The session, which began on 31 January, was marked by high legislative productivity and included significant legislative business such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, and the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill.
According to an official release from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the productivity of Lok Sabha stood at approximately 118 per cent, while that of Rajya Sabha was about 119 per cent.
This year’s first Parliamentary session was held in two parts, with a recess in between to facilitate examination of Demands for Grants by Department-related Standing Committees. The session began with the President’s Address to both Houses, as mandated under Article 87(1) of the Constitution.
The Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address was moved in Lok Sabha by Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and seconded by Ravi Shankar Prasad. The debate engaged the House for 17 hours and 23 minutes, with participation from 173 Members. In Rajya Sabha, the motion was moved by Kiran Choudhary and seconded by Neeraj Shekhar, with 73 Members speaking over a span of 21 hours and 46 minutes.
The Union Budget for 2025–26 was presented on 1 February. General discussion on the Budget in Lok Sabha lasted over 16 hours with 169 Members participating, while Rajya Sabha debated the Budget for nearly 18 hours with 89 Members contributing.
In the second part of the session, Lok Sabha discussed and voted on Demands for Grants of key ministries including Railways, Jal Shakti and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The related Appropriation Bill was passed on 21 March. Several other financial Bills, including the Appropriation Bills for Supplementary Demands and the Finance Bill, 2025, were also passed during this period.
Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, held detailed discussions on the working of the Ministries of Education, Railways, Health & Family Welfare, and Home Affairs. The Upper House returned all financial Bills to Lok Sabha, completing the legislative process by 27 March.
Both Houses adopted the Statutory Resolution approving the Presidential Proclamation under Article 356(1) for the State of Manipur on 3 and 4 April, respectively.
Also read: Budget Session: Parliament adjourns sine die
Among other notable legislation, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed following the presentation of the Joint Committee report. The amendment seeks to enhance the management and governance of waqf properties using modern methodologies. It also repeals the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces provisions for a national and state disaster database, mandates disaster plans, and calls for setting up Urban Disaster Management Authorities and State Disaster Response Forces.
The "Tribhuvan" Sahakari University Bill, 2025 provides for the establishment of a new cooperative university to promote education, training, and research in the cooperative sector.
The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 streamlines processes related to passports, visas, and the regulation of foreign nationals in India.
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to improve corporate governance, audit standards, and depositor protection in public sector banks, while simplifying customer-facing procedures such as nominations.
In total, 11 Bills were introduced—10 in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. Sixteen Bills were passed by Lok Sabha, and 14 were passed or returned by Rajya Sabha, with 16 Bills cleared by both Houses.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the session, was joined by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan.
"The session yielded 26 sittings in total—nine in the first half and 17 in the second. All key financial business was completed before 31 March," Rijiju said.
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