Context:
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Parliament’s Winter Session concluded with notable legislative output and high productivity.
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The Lok Sabha recorded 111% productivity, while the Rajya Sabha achieved 121% productivity, indicating extended sittings beyond scheduled hours.
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Several important Bills were passed amid debates and disruptions, especially over the controversial VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025.
Key Highlights:
Parliamentary Productivity and Sittings
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Lok Sabha productivity: 111%
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Rajya Sabha productivity: 121%
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Rajya Sabha sittings spanned around 92 hours.
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Productivity reflects effective utilization of House time, including overtime sittings.
Major Bills Passed
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Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)
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Proposed to repeal MGNREGA, triggering strong opposition.
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SHANTI Bill
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Focused on sustainable advancement of nuclear energy in India.
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Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025
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Aimed at strengthening India’s insurance regulatory framework.
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Debates and Parliamentary Discussions
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Debate on Vande Mataram lasted 11 hours 32 minutes with participation of 65 MPs.
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Election reforms debate (SIR-related) lasted 13 hours with 63 MPs involved.
Disruptions and Opposition
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Passage of VB-G RAM G Bill saw protests and disruptions.
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Rajya Sabha Chairman criticized certain members’ conduct as “unbecoming.”
Rising Zero Hour Notices
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Rajya Sabha saw an average of 84+ Zero Hour notices per day.
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This marked a 31% increase compared to the previous two sessions.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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MGNREGA: Guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households.
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Zero Hour: Immediately follows Question Hour; MPs raise urgent public matters without prior notice.
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Parliament Productivity: Measures time spent on legislative/business work versus disruptions.
Causes and Issues Highlighted
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Increased legislative push with major reform Bills.
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Opposition concerns over dilution of welfare schemes like MGNREGA.
Benefits and Challenges
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Benefits: Higher legislative output, detailed debates on national themes.
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Challenges: Disruptions, politicization of welfare reforms, rising procedural notices.
Impact
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Indicates stronger focus on reforms but also highlights tension between development agenda and social security safeguards.
Relevant Mains Points:
Governance and Parliamentary Functioning
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Parliament remains central to law-making, accountability, and debate.
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High productivity suggests efficiency, but disruptions raise concerns over democratic deliberation quality.
Social Justice Concerns
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Proposal to repeal MGNREGA has implications for:
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Rural employment security
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Poverty reduction
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Social safety nets
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Reform-Oriented Legislation
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Nuclear energy reforms under SHANTI Bill align with energy transition goals.
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Insurance law amendments strengthen financial inclusion and risk coverage.
Way Forward
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Balance reforms with protection of vulnerable groups.
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Improve parliamentary decorum and ensure constructive opposition.
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Strengthen committee scrutiny for contentious Bills.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 2: Parliament, governance, welfare schemes, legislative reforms
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GS 3: Nuclear energy policy, insurance sector reforms
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Prelims: MGNREGA, Zero Hour, productivity concept
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Mains: Democratic functioning, social security vs reform debates