India's Parliament Passes Over Half of Introduced Bills in Same Session: PRS Data

India's 18th Lok Sabha is witnessing a notable acceleration in legislative efficiency, with more than half of the bills introduced being passed by both Houses within the same session they were introduced. Data from PRS Legislative Research reveals that 34 out of 64 bills introduced since the current Lok Sabha convened have completed their legislative journey in the same session.

This trend marks a sharp increase compared to previous parliaments. The 16th Lok Sabha saw only 33% of bills passed in the same session, while the 17th Lok Sabha's rate was around 62%. Although the 18th Lok Sabha started slower, the Monsoon Session, which concluded on August 13, saw an unprecedented pace, with 11 out of 12 introduced bills passed. The government's legislative agenda also saw flexibility, with six of the 11 bills passed not being on the original list for introduction.

However, this rapid legislative process has drawn criticism. PRS has previously highlighted that a short gap between introduction and passage limits the time available for Members of Parliament (MPs) to thoroughly examine proposed legislation and consult with stakeholders. This concern is underscored by the fact that several bills during the Monsoon Session were cleared with minimal or no debate. According to PRS, nine bills were passed without any MP, other than the minister piloting them, speaking, and seven were approved in five minutes or less.

Concerns also linger over specific bills. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, and the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2026, were not passed. The former awaits a report from its parliamentary committee, while the latter was referred to a Joint Committee amid opposition calls for its withdrawal. The speed at which legislation is being passed raises questions about the depth of scrutiny and the potential impact on democratic deliberation.