A bill lapses mainly when the Lok Sabha or a State Assembly is dissolved. Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils are permanent bodies, so they do not face dissolution. Articles 107 and 108 of the Constitution define the rules clearly.

BulletsIn

• Dissolution of Lok Sabha leads to lapse of all pending bills in it
• Bill introduced and pending in Lok Sabha → lapses
• Bill passed in Rajya Sabha but pending in Lok Sabha → lapses
• Bill passed in Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha → lapses
• Bill returned to Rajya Sabha with amendments, still pending → lapses
• Bill pending in Rajya Sabha only → does not lapse
• Bill passed by both Houses but pending President’s assent → does not lapse
• Bill passed but returned by President for reconsideration → does not lapse
• Bills with joint sitting notified before dissolution → do not lapse
• In states, rules are same for Assemblies; Councils’ bills do not lapse
• Adjournment or prorogation does not affect pending bills, only dissolution does
• Example: 68 bills lapsed with 15th Lok Sabha, including women’s reservation bills