Art. 88 Part V: The Union

Rights of Ministers and Attorney-General as Respects the Houses

Exact text — Constitution of India

Every Minister and the Attorney-General of India shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of, either House, any joint sitting of the Houses, and any committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member, but shall not by virtue of this article be entitled to vote.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article lets any Minister (including one who is only a member of one House, or occasionally not currently a sitting member of either House at all, per Article 75(5)'s 6-month grace period) and the Attorney General speak and participate in EITHER House's proceedings — not just the House they happen to belong to — though without a vote unless they're actually a member of that specific House.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why you might see a Minister who's technically a Rajya Sabha member actively participating in a Lok Sabha debate (or vice versa) — this Article specifically allows that cross-House participation, recognising that ministers need to defend and explain government policy in whichever House is considering it.

Read alongside this one

Art. 75 — Other Provisions as to Ministers Art. 76 — Attorney General for India

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 88

Can a Minister vote in a House they're not actually a member of?

No — this Article grants the right to speak and participate, but voting rights remain tied to actual membership of that specific House.

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The text above reproduces Article 88 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.