Who presides over the joint session of both the Houses of Parliament?

Concept

A joint sitting is a constitutional mechanism for resolving a legislative deadlock between the two Houses on an ordinary bill. Summoning the sitting and presiding over its proceedings are distinct constitutional and parliamentary functions.

Application

For a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the applicable parliamentary rule assigns the chair to the Speaker of Lok Sabha. The President may summon the sitting under Article 108, but the Speaker conducts its proceedings.

Contrast

• The Vice-President is the ex officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha and ordinarily presides over that House.

• The President is the constitutional head of the Union and exercises the power to summon a joint sitting in the circumstances specified by Article 108.

• The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers and leads the Union executive; this is different from the parliamentary office that chairs a House.

Cross-check

The roles remain distinct: the President summons the joint sitting, while the Lok Sabha Speaker presides over it.

Result

Therefore, the Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.