A combined meeting of both Houses of Parliament summoned by the President to resolve a deadlock over an ordinary Bill, under Article 108.
- Provided under Article 108; the President summons it and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides (the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not).
- It is called when, after a Bill is passed by one House, the other House rejects it, fails to act for six months, or disagrees on amendments.
- The Bill is decided by a simple majority of the total members present and voting; since the Lok Sabha is larger, its will usually prevails.
- It is not available for Money Bills (the Rajya Sabha has no real power there) or for Constitutional Amendment Bills.
- It has been used very few times in Indian history, including for the Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961), the Banking Service Commission Bill (1978), and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (2002).
Article 108, the Speaker presiding, and the exclusions (Money Bills and Amendment Bills) are recurring parliament-procedure facts, often with the three historical instances.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting, not the Vice-President; joint sittings cannot be held for Money Bills or constitutional amendments.
Article 108 joint sitting for ordinary-Bill deadlock; Speaker presides; not for Money Bills or amendments; used thrice (1961, 1978, 2002).