The Winter Session of Parliament 2025 commenced on 1 December 2025. Proceedings began in Rajya Sabha with PM Modi congratulating Vice President CP Radhakrishnan for being appointed as Chair of the House. Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla began by paying respects to former parliamentary members who had passed away and offering congratulations to the Indian women’s cricket team for winning the ICC World Cup 2025.

PM Modi hit out against the opposition during his opening address, accusing the party of engaging in ‘drama’ whenever they failed to win elections. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge hit back, saying, “Instead of addressing issues before Parliament, PM Modi once again made his ‘dramebazi delivery’.”

The opening Question Hour in Lok Sabha was interrupted by opposition protests on the SIR issue, with the House soon being adjourned. Later, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the House.

Sitharaman introduced two other bills as well: The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025. The first allows the government “to increase the rate of Central excise duty on tobacco and tobacco products” and the second aims to impose cess charges on the production of goods such as paan masala. Sitharaman further tabled a Supplementary Demand for Grants for 2025-26 in the House.

The Manipur GST Bill was passed later in the day. There are a total of 10 bills that have been listed for introduction and two for consideration and passing this session.

Both Houses saw mass protests by opposition MPs concerning the SIR issue, which was not addressed by the government.

The day (2 December 2025) began with a protest by opposition parties against the SIR outside the Parliament. Senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge joined the protest, raising the slogan “SIR pe charcha karo.”

Proceedings commenced at 11am, with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan chairing the Rajya Sabha and Speaker Om Birla chairing the Lok Sabha.

The business agenda for the day lists 15 starred questions, 4 sets of papers to be laid, and 1 bill for consideration and return in the Rajya Sabha; 20 starred questions, 9 sets of papers to be laid, and 15 bills to be laid in the Lok Sabha. Also listed were other matters such as statements, resolutions, reports, and motions.

Radhakrishnan began the session by declaring that he had received 21 notices under Rule 267 to suspend the scheduled business to address imminent issues. The notices were not admitted leading to protests by opposition MPs.

Zero Hour commenced soon after, while opposition members continued to protest. Many filled the well of the house, raising the slogan “SIR pe charcha karo.”

Leader of Opposition Kharge demanded that the issue be addressed immediately, pointing out that no reason was stated for the dismissal of the notices. He went on to accuse Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju of avoiding the discussion.

Rijiju replied that there are a lot of issues in the country, and that no timeline should be set for any of them at the risk of undermining the other.

The Chair, Radhakrishnan, said that the matter will be taken up when there is order in the House.

The House was adjourned till 2pm, amidst protests.

The day began with Speaker Om Birla welcoming a parliamentary delegation from Georgia, who were attending and observing the proceedings from the special box of the Lok Sabha.

Soon after, the Speaker commenced with Question Hour, as opposition MPs raised slogans of “vote chor, gaddi chhor” and “SIR pe charcha karo.”

The opposition occupied the well of the House, with the House soon being adjourned till 12pm as no questions could be heard. Birla proceeded to meet opposition leaders after the adjournment.

The House reconvened at 12pm but the House was adjourned once more till 2pm, as the opposition continued to protest.

Both Houses of Parliament reconvened at 2pm. BJP MP Dilip Sakia chaired the Lok Sabha proceedings. The Lower House took up urgent issues of public importance under Rule 377, but protests by the opposition continued. The House was soon adjourned till 11am on 3 December 2025.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju assured the opposition in the Rajya Sabha that a discussion on SIR will be taken up, but restated that no timeline should be set.

The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was tabled in Rajya Sabha following reconvening of the House. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabh on 1 December 2025 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and passed later in the day.

The motion to consider the bill was passed by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary. MPs listed for discussion widely supported the ordinance.

The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was returned by the Rajya Sabha to the Lok Sabha as per a motion inititated by FM Sitharaman. Deliberation and voting on the bill took place while opposition leaders walked out of the House in protest of UM Rijiju's possition on the SIR issue. Rijiju had earlier said that the government is ready to deliberate on the issue, but refused to set a timeline for the discussion.

The Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day, to meet again at 11am on 3 December 2025. After deliberating on the Manipur GST Bill, the Chair heard special mentions from a number of MPs before calling an end to the day.

Meanhwile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called a meeting of party leaders to his chambers to discuss the deadlock due to protests on the SIR issue. The Lok Sabha has scheduled a debate on Vande Matarm for 8 December, and electoral reforms on 9 and 10 December 2025.

The third day (3 December 2025) of the winter session began with opposition MPs protesting outside the parliament house against the new Labour Laws implemented by the Centre. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, etc. held up a banner reading “No to Corporate Jungle Raj – Yes to Labour Justice”.

This follows protests by the opposition against the nationwide SIR on the first and second days of the session. This resulted in the Houses being adjourned early and a meeting of floor leaders discussing how to proceed. It was decided that the issue will be addressed on 9 and 10 December 2025.

Proceedings commenced in both houses at 11am without incident for the first time this session. Lok Sabha began with Question Hour, with 20 questions listed, and Rajya Sabha began with Zero Hour.

At 12pm, both items of business concluded, with Lok Sabha shifting into Zero Hour and Rajya Sabha beginning Question Hour, with 15 questions listed.

Many points were raised by MPs across the sessions, with particular focus on education, the Sanchar Saathi order, disability, highways, and railways.

Rajya Sabha has adjourned till 2pm, to be reconvened after lunch. Matters of Public Importance are being addressed in Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders met at parliament to discuss a strategy for the Winter Session. Top BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and BL Santosh also met, reportedly to discuss party matters including the election of the BJP National President.

Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2pm, beginning with the Statutory Resolution segment. Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav moved a resolution to adopt the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in Manipur. Yadav added that this law has already been passed nationwide and that motion was directed at Manipur specifically as it is under President’s rule.

Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the recent Sanchar Saathi order, which directed phone manufacturers to mandatorily download the government app in phones before sales,is open to amendment. He said that the government is willing to make amendments to the order based on feedback from the public.

“Na snooping sambhav hai, na snooping hoga,” he said in response to queries of privacy and function creep.

This comes after the issue was raised by multiple opposition MPs and has gained traction online. Yesterday, on the second day of the Winter Session, Scindia had clarified that the app is not ‘mandatory’ to download, despite the order stating otherwise. He had clarified that the move was necessary to counter digital fraud and ensure the safety of Indian citizens.

After addressing Matters of Public Importance, the Lower House skipped the segment of Matters under Rule 377, which allows members to raise unregistered matters of urgent public importance. The House moved onto Legislative Business.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman moved The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to increase cess on tobacco and derived products to balance out the tax rate on sin products once GST compensation cess ends.

The matter is under discussion.

After a discussion on the proposed bill, with most MPs declaring their approval for the resolution, the motion to adopt the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in Manipur was passed by the Rajya Sabha through voice vote.

During the discussion, some MPs raised concerns on the persistence of President's rule in Manipur and highlighted weak points in the bill. The House moved onto the Special Mentions segment.

Meanwhile, discussion on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 continues in Lok Sabha.

Both Houses adjourned for the day, scheduled to meet next at 11am on 4 December 2025. The Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 before adjourning. The bill will now move to the Rajya Sabha.

Concluding the discussion on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025, FM Sitharaman gave a speech replying to the points raised by fellow MPs.

Addressing the division of the excise duty collected from tobacco products, Sitharaman clarified that States will receive 41% of the cess. Confronting an accusation that the compensation cess collected was used to pay the Centre’s debt, Sitharaman said, “It is a completely false allegation. All the cess was collected with recommendation from Finance Commission.”

She highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) had flagged India for not increasing cess rates on tobacco products – excise tax rates on tobacco products had not increased since GST was introduced. As such, she said, it was high time that India complied with global standards.

Sitharaman added that issue was a health issue, and a higher price of tobacco would act as a deterrent. She added that India currently imposes 50% tax on tobacco products while the global average is 70%, going even higher than 80% in countries like the UK.

Addressing the impact of the new cess on tobacco farmers, factory workers, and beedi-rollers, Sitharaman said:

Tobacco farmers would be transitioned to other crops like turmeric, onions, etc. under government schemes like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. She pointed out that schemes like this have been in effect for decades. The current scheme already tackles diversification in 10 major tobacco-growing states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, etc.)

She added that supplementary initiatives were also in place to support such workers, giving an example of the education support scheme available to children of beedi workers. She also clarified that the overall tax on beedi will not increase, after compensating for the new GST regime.

Sitharaman also brought up an unrelated point in her speech, addressing a remark by an MP on the ‘C’ Grade given to India’s GDP data quality by the IMF.

Day 4 of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025 began with a protest outside the parliament by opposition leaders against worsening air pollution across Delhi-NCR. MPs – many wearing gas masks – held up a banner reading, ‘Mausam ka mazza leejye’, taking a dig at PM Modi’s recent comment amidst dipping air quality across North India.

Congress MPs also submitted adjournment motions in Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent discussion on the pollution issue and demanding declaration of a public health emergency.

Manickam Tagore, MP from Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, wrote in his notice, “government remains paralysed, issuing advisories instead of action, committees instead of solutions, slogans instead of a coordinated national strategy.”

Proceedings commenced with Question Hour in Lok Sabha and Laying of Papers in Rajya Sabha.

Members of Lok Sabha raised questions of road transport problems, with Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressing issues on delays in highway projects in Kerala. Meanwhile, Congress MP Selja Kumari pointed out the lack of drinking water facilities in Haryana villages and Chandrakant Handore highlighting that SC students were not being disbursed stipends under the Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Scheme (PMSS). A total of 20 questions were listed. The hour ended with Speaker Om Birla dismissing the adjournment motions put forth by Congress MPs.

In Rajya Saha, the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for review – but as a money bill, it cannot be debated on by the Upper House. Several reports were laid following this.

Chair CP Radhakrishnan also brought up the issue of Rule 267, which allows MPs to move for suspension of scheduled business to discuss matters of urgent importance. He said that the rule as being invoked too often and to address matters already listed for discussion. Replying to him, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge defended the submission of notices under the rule. “We are not getting the opportunities to discuss important things immediately when we raise and request it to you,” he said. “The government is avoiding important issues to be discussed here. Then always people resort to this Section 267. Because adjournment motion is in Lower House, in the Upper House, there are no provisions for adjournment. The only opportunity is 267. If you take this also away… then you are indicating that this rule cannot be often invoked.”

“Don’t brush aside everything in one stroke. Aisa bulldozer mat chahiye sahab,” he concluded. Replying to Kharge, Leader of the House JP Nadda, said, “This impression should not go that the government avoids any discussion – we are ready to discuss on any topic.” He added that matters raised the all-party meeting on the second day of parliament were already scheduled to be heard.

Following this, members raised Matters with the Permission of the Chair, spanning a rise of assaults on doctors, the new labour laws, lack of MSP for certain crops, etc.

Question Hour commences in Rajya Sabha, with 15 starred questions listed. Members raised questions on the number of Indians deported from the US in 2025, on vacancies in high courts and subordinate judiciary, and human-animal conflicts, amongst others.

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, in a reply, revealed that 3,258 Indian nationals were deported from the US in 2025, and a total of 18,822 have been deported since 2009. The House was soon adjourned to reconvene at 2pm.

Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, talking about the ‘Growth, Safety and Regulation of Electric Vehicle’, said that the rate of registration of EVs in 2024-25 increased by 20.8% for 4-wheelers and 33% for 2-wheelers. Meanwhile, petrol and diesel vehicle registration increased by 4.2% for 4-wheelers and 14% for 2-wheelers.

Other questions focused on scholarship and the PM-JANMAN scheme for tribal communities, metro lines in Mumbai, India’s civil aviation infrastructure, and the increasing demand of crude oil and natural gas, amongst others.

Afterwards, the House took up Matters of Public Importance.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Health and National Security Cess Bill in the Lok Sabha, saying that cess will not be applied to health products, rather it will only be levied on demerit goods like pan masala. The cess will apply to the manufacturing process and machinery involved in the production of pan masala.

“By levying the cess, we expect that it would act as a deterrent for pan masala consumption. Part of the revenue from this cess will be shared with states through health awareness or other health-related schemes/activities,” she said.

Members raised issues with the bilingual name of the bill, calling it unnecessary, and also asked for clarification on how funds will be disbursed to states. DMK MP Thamizachi Thangapandiyan also pointed out that the cess is collected completely by the centre before redistribution and that MSMEs and small traders will bear the brunt of the cess.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha reconvened, taking up the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Since it is a money bill, the House cannot debate the bill, just review and provide recommendations.

Members pointed out that the bill will promote illegal tobacco trade. YSRCP MP Meda Raghunada Reddy said that tobacco cultivating regions will need regular monitoring to ensure farmers are not struggling. Others used their time to propose more stringent regulations on tobacco products.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 through voice vote. The House took up Special Mentions before adjourning for the day.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day in the middle of discussions on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, and scheduled the matter for 11am tomorrow, 5 December 2025.

Day 5 of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025 commenced on 5 December 2025, with protests by opposition leaders outside Parliament House. TMC MPs raised slogans for the disbursal of MGNREGA funds to West Bengal by the Centre. The MPs had raised the issue in parliament earlier this session too, when they revealed that four-years-worth of funds, amounting to ₹52,000 crore, was being withheld by the Centre.

Congress MP Manish Tewari, meanwhile, submitted an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the depreciation of the Rupee ($1=₹90). DMK MP Tiruchi Siva submitted a notice for suspension of business in Rajya Sabha to discuss “provoked communal tension in Tamil Nadu created by forces with vested interests.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised a notice under Rule 180 in Rajya Sabha, requesting Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on the mass cancellation of IndiGo flights, calling it a matter of urgent importance. Others also raised the issue of flight delays and cancellations by IndiGo to the media.

Both Houses commenced proceedings at 11am.

Lok Sabha commenced with Question Hour with Congress MP Bhajan Lal Jatav raising questions on the malnutrition rate in Rajasthan. He questioned why the government was not data on malnutrition among tribal children. Three other questions were raised on the ‘Impact of GST Structure on Fertilizers and Agricultural Input’, ‘Decline in Sex Ratio’, and ‘Data on Non-Communicable Diseases’. There were a total of 20 questions listed, but the House adjourned till 12pm amidst protests by DMK MPs.

The members raised the slogan “We want justice. Do not sleep.” They were protesting against a recent Madras High Court order permitting devotees of the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu to engage in a lamp lighting ritual near a dargah. The State government had earlier raised the issue in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha commenced with Laying of Papers and the presentation of a report, before a motion was passed for the election of a member to the Rubber Board. This was followed by several members raising Points of Order in the House.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari raised the issue of IndiGo cancellations, saying several members of the House were scheduled to travel later that night. He said that the issue came about due to a monopoly of the company over the consumer aviation sector and asked ‘those responsible’ for allowing this to happen to address this issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded, saying that he had recently spoken to the Civil Aviation Minister and that the matter was being investigated.

Next, TMC MP Derek O’Brien raised a Point of Order requesting the Chair to allow such PoCs raised by members. After this, the Chair dismissed notices submitted by DMK members under Rule 267, saying they did not meet the stated requirements. The house then moved onto Matters Raised with Permission of the Chair.

The Lok Sabha reconvened at 12pm, taking up Laying of Papers and reports. A paper was laid stating that the Rajya Sabha had no recommendations to make on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The House then proceeded to address matters under Rule 377.

Meanhwile, Rajya Sabha commenced with Question Hour, with the first two questions addressed to the Ministry of Railways. The next question raised by Congress MP Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik, raising the issue of ‘Demand for Legal Guarantee for MSP’. Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan replied, highlighting ‘record’ procurement of crops at MSP by drawing a comparison between MSP spending by the NDA and UPA governments. Only one other question was addressed, of a total 15 that were listed for the day, on ‘Establishment of AI hub in Andhra Pradesh’. The House then adjourned till 2pm.

Lok Sabha proceeds with Legislative Business, continuing deliberation on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025.

After reconvening at 2pm, Rajya Sabha proceeds with Private Member’s Legislative Business, where MPs submit Private Member Bills for consideration and passing.

FM Sitharaman replies to points raised by Lok Sabha members during discussion of the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025. She says that the governments aims to ensure that demerit goods are not affordable to discourage use. Addressing points questioning the distribution and use of funds collected, she says that the cess will be used for public health, which is a state subject, and defence spending, which comes under the Centre. She added, talking about the ambiguity of the cess allocation, that collecting revenue is a norm and revenue can be used for any purpose; allocation will be laid out after discussion in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha took up discussion on consideration and passing of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, raised by NCP-SCP MP Fauzia Khan.

Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, passed in Lok Sabha after voice vote. The House went on to discuss introduction of Private Member Bills.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha continued deliberation on POCSO Bill, with many BJP MPs arguing against the amendment, saying the earlier amendments made to the Act by the Modi government are sufficient and the new amendment does not add anything new.

The amendment seeks to update several sections of the bill, placing greater accountability on heads of institutions for proper reporting and follow through of the case. The amendment also introduces a new section on financial compensation for the victim.

The discussion was cut short as allocated time for Private Member Bills came to an end, scheduled to be taken up later. The House moved onto Special Mentions.

Both Houses adjourn for the day, scheduled to reconvene on Monday, 8 December 2025.

Day 6 (8 November 2025) of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025 commenced with Question Hour in Lok Sabha and Laying of Papers in Rajya Sabha.

As the Hour concluded in LS, the Speaker rejected several notices submitted to suspend business for the day. Following this, matters of urgent public importance were raised. The 10-hour debate on ‘Vande Mataram’ is scheduled to take place next.

In Rajya Sabha, after papers were laid and statements made by various ministers, the House segued into Question Hour.

Vande Mataram is the national song of India, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the late 19^th century. It was written as a protest song, in opposition to the British anthem ‘God Save the King’. The song became a symbol of India’s independence struggle.

The parliamentary discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ concludes the year-log celebration of the anthem organised by the NDA government. In November 2025, PM Modi announced in a speech that the Congress’s decision to remove certain stanzas of the song before adopting it as the national song in 1937. He alleged that by doing so, they had diluted its original meaning, adding that this act eventually led to the Partition.

The Congress has countered this, stating that only the first two stanzas of the song had become widely used. The rest, they argued, was cut for containing “allusions and a religious ideology” which did not resonate with all of India’s religious communities. The decision, they added, was taken by committee consisting of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, Abul Kalam Azad, and Sarojini Naidu, amongst others.

PM Modi has begun the discussion in Lok Sabha, for which 10-hours have been scheduled, 3 of which are for the BJP.

PM Modi talks about the historical significance of Vande Mataram. He begins by talking about Bankim Chandra Chatterjee before segueing into its role in emboldening India’s freedom struggle. He talked about ‘restoring the glory’ of the song.

He then proceeded to recite omitted lines from the song and talked about how the song connected freedom fighters of different ideologies. He said the song is an expression of our cultural spirit today, comparing it to Ram’s spirit in the Ramayan.

He went on to talk about how the song was suppressed by the British, how people were punished, even killed, for singing it.

Continuing his speech, Modi launched an attack against the Congress over ‘Vande Mataram’. He said that Congress surrendered before the Muslim League, making ‘tukde-tukde’ of the song. He said that this later led to the Partition of India, and that Nehru had sabotaged the song, afraid that it would incite Muslims. He says INC became ‘MCC’.

He went on to talk about Mahatma Gandhi’s feeling towards the song, recounting an opinion published by Gandhi where he said that the song’s one mission was to awaken patriotism in the listener, that the song’s saw India as a mother and praised her.

As PM Modi concludes his speech in Lok Sabha, INC MP Gaurav Gogoi makes the first reply. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2pm. The NDA Parliamentary Party has also scheduled a meeting for 9:30am, 9 December 2025.

In reply to PM Modi’s speech, INC MP Gaurav Gogoi made the opposition’s first reply in the discussion. He begins by acknowledging the legacy of the song, its writer, and Bengal, where it was written.

Next, he points out the two main arguments of Modi’s speech. First, he says, the speech makes it sound like Modi’s political predecessors had fought in the freedom struggle, unlike what had actually happened. He said that this was an attempt to rewrite history. Second, he added, was a political spin given to the discussion by Modi’s repeated mentions of Nehru.

Gogoi also refuted Modi’s assertion that the Congress had ‘bowed down’ to the Muslim League when it omitted lines from the final song. He continued, saying that the NDA government doesn’t understand Bengal, or its cultural history. He says that anytime they hear someone speaking Bengali today, the BJP brands them as Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Rajya Sabha reconvenes, with FM Sitharaman introducing the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, for discussion. As a money bill, however, the House can only offer recommendations on the bill.

Meanwhile, SP MP Akhilesh Yadav gave the next reply in Lok Sabha. He said that the chant ‘Vande Mataram’ struck fear in the hearts of the British while uniting all Indians. He added that the BJP was trying to own freedom fighters and that the song was not for fake nationalists.

After this, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar addressed the House.

Both NDA and opposition MPs spoke on the ‘Vande Mataram’ discussion in Lok Sabha.

DMK MP A. Raja said that historical evidence suggests that the song was directed not only against the British, but also against Muslims. He argued that when communal tensions were at their peak in the 1930s, Nehru spoke of receiving various grievances against certain parts of the song by Muslim bodies. He said that when Nehru decided to declare ‘Vande Mataram’ as the national song, it was not appeasement of Muslims, if anything, it was the appeasement of Hindus.

TDP MP Byreddy Shabari said that everyone in the country, regardless of creed and caste, sings the song. She adds that the reason why the Gandhi’s don’t appreciate the song, perhaps, is because of their ‘foreign DNA’. JDU MP Devendra Chandra Thakur says that the song is the modern slogan of the country which puts service of the nation ahead all else.

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai says that when Nehru omitted stanzas from the original song, he compromised the interest of the nation, which eventually led to Partition. BJP MP Anurag Thakur called the song as holy as the Quran. He also pointed out that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was absent from the discussion.

Gandhi Vadra is set to speak on the issue at 4pm.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra begins her speech by asking why there is a need for debate on such a subject. She says that ‘Vande Mataram’ is the national song, sung uncontested for 150 years. She says that Congress had demanded a debate on electoral reforms, but the NDA government had demanded a discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ first.

She goes onto say that PM Modi’s speeches sound nice but lack in facts. Pointing out inaccuracies in his address, she says that he forgot to mention that when Tagore first sang the song at a conference in Bengal, it was at a Congress meet. She said that Nehru had written to Bose arguing that the issue of ‘Vande Mataram’ was creating communal fractures. She further said that Tagore himself had argued to use only the first two stanzas of the song as the national song.

She continued, adding that even the National Anthem was truncated like ‘Vande Mataram’. She goes onto talk about Nehru’s contributions to the country, saying that the NDA was attacking all those who fought in the freedom struggle.

She asserted that this debate was a diversionary tactic from more pressing matters, arguing that such a discussion in Parliament was wasting the time and faith of the electors who brought them here. It is time to stop looking back and look forward at the real issues, she concludes.

Discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ continue in Lok Sabha, with a brief pause where the House took up Papers to be Laid.

Meanwhile, FM Sitharaman gives in address in Rajya Sabha, replying to points raised by members during discussion on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025. The bill was returned to Lok Sabha after a voice vote.

The Upper House adjourned for the day.

The 'Vande Mataram' debate concludes in Lok Sabha. The topic will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on 9 December 2025, with Amit Shah beginning the discussion.

Day 7 (9 December 2025) of Winter Session of Parliament 2025 commenced, with Lok Sabha taking up Question Hour and Papers being Laid in Rajya Sabha.

The Lower House is set to see a 10-hour discussion on Electoral Reforms, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi kicking off the debate. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha will see a discussion on 'Vande Mataram', with Home Minister Amit Shah beginning the debate.

After Question hour, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu made a statement on the ongoing IndiGo crisis in Lok Sabha, saying that flight schedules have normalised. He stated that the DGCA has issued show-cause notices, begun a detailed investigation, and will take appropriate action. He added that IndiGo had assured 'full compliance' with FDTL rules. The statement prompted protests by opposition MPs.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha moved onto Question Hour.

Congress MP Manish Tewari began the 10-hour discussion on Electoral Reforms in Lok Sabha. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is set to join the discussion later. Home Minister Amit Shah is set to begin the discussion on 'Vande Mataram' in Rajya Sabha at 1pm.

He raised three demands to ensure free and fair elections:

1. Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, and the CJI should be included in the panel to elect the ECI and CEC.

2. SIR should be halted.

3. Direct cash transfers before elections should be halted, in line with the Model Code of Conduct.

He further asked whether polling can take place through paper ballots and questioned the ECI's authority to undertake SIR reforms.

Replying to Manish Tewari, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal asks if Congress remembers that the first case of ‘Vote Chori’ took place was when Nehru was elected PM instead of Sardar Patel. He goes onto say that the electoral list revision is necessary to remove ‘infiltrators’ from the lists. He says that in Bihar, voters believed in Modi’s guarantee – that the BJP focused issues in the state, while the opposition only talked about ‘vote chori’ and never gained their confidence. He goes onto suggest that the only electoral reform needed is ‘One Nation, One Election’.

Home Minister begins the discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’ in Rajya Sabha talking about the relevance of the song across India’s history.

Meanwhile, SP MP Akhilesh Yadav participates in Lok Sabha discussion, beginning with an account of the Rampur by-election. He alleges that police and BJP workers had suppressed voters from participating in the election. When he provided detailed proof to the ECI, however, he alleged, no action was taken. That was when he understood the machinery was biased.

Akhilesh Yadav supports Congress’ demands for electoral reforms, saying that the ECI must be unbiased and its election should not be up to the government. He adds that if more developed nations can use paper ballots for elections, why can’t India?

He argues against the SIR, pointing to BLO suicides in UP and arguing that exercise is a surreptitious attempt to undertake a nationwide NRC. He asks why a detention centre is needed for people who do not make it onto the revised electoral role, questioning UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s recent declaration.

Following him, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee raises the issue of undue work pressure imposed on BLOs under the SIR excercise, pointing to suicides and health issues across states.

He goes onto question the ECI's authority to carry out a nationwide SIR and points to vague rules included in the guidelines of the excercise.

Amit Shah alleges he will submit a list of opposition members who have previously said that they will refuse to sing Vande Mataram. He also said that Indira Gandhi hailed anyone who sang Vande Mataram during Emergency. He said that policy of appeasement began with truncating the song.

Amit Shah concluded his speech on ‘Vande Mataram’, saying that this – the 150^th anniversary of the song – will reawaken a sense of nationalism in the country. He said that ‘Vande Mataram’ brought us Independence and now, it will be the slogan of a developed and great India.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge begins his reply, saying that ‘Vande Mataram’ was first sung at a Congress Conference in 1896. Shah, he says, failed to mention the history behind the song, pointing out that Congress leaders chanted “Bharat Mata ki jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki jai” and slogans of Vande Mataram before going to jail. He said that the BJP’s political ancestors were always against the freedom struggle and patriotic songs.

He went on to point out that Tagore had himself argued to include only two stanzas of the song as the national song. If the BJP argues against the truncating of the song, he says, they are disrespecting all those leaders, like Gandhi, Bose, and Azad, who supported it.

Mallikarjun Kharge, during his speech, brought up issues of financial insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and, specifically, caste atrocities in the country, which led a reply by Leader of the House JP Nadda. Nadda said that all these points were off topic and have been discussed earlier or will be allocated for later. He urged Kharge to stay on topic. Chair Radhakrishnan directed any unparliamentary comments to be struck from the record.

Kharge repeatedly brought up the issue of caste atrocities, saying that he wanted to point out real issues which should be discussed instead of the topic at hand. Chaos broke out in the House. Nadda replied again, saying that Dalits have fared better under the NDA government than ever before.

Kharge says that the BJP, which opposed many freedom struggles, is now speaking of nationalism.

In Lok Sabha, Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh says that India is recognised worldwide for the impartial conduct of its elections. He said that the ECI, as a Constitutional body, cannot be debated in parliament. He defended the ECI right to undertake the SIR and even determine citizenship. He added that the opposition only questions EVMs when convenient for them.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Anil Desai and Supriya Sule raised questions on the integrity of the ECI, while giving examples of lapses in electoral oversight in Maharashtra. Desai pointed to the ineffectiveness of the anti-defection law. Sule highlighted instances where the ECI had been lacing: allowing hate speech, opaque appointment processes, saturation of media with manipulation and propaganda before elections, a lack of enforcement of its own rules, disproportionate effect of reforms on poor and marginalised groups, vague verification processes, and no clear explanation or defense of its own actions.

She went on to list instances of electoral interference in Maharashtra that had not been addressed, including a BJP getting caught with suitcases full of cash, candidates running unopposed, violence in the state, EVM locks being broken, ghost voters, etc.

She said that the reason this debate was taking place was because the public had lost faith in the integrity of the ECI.

Rahul Gandhi, who has led the ‘Vote Chori’ charge against the NDA government and the ECI, begins his address on Electoral Reforms in Lok Sabha.

He began by talking about the fabric of the country, saying it’s made up of thousands of peoples. He says that India’s 1.5 billion people are woven together by the vote.

He continues, saying that the RSS can see the fabric but can’t stand to see all threads equally. He alleges that the RSS has attempted to capture India’s institutional framework. This began with Vice Chancellors in educational institutions, he says, then came the intelligence agencies, and finally the ECI.

He states that he has already given proof of the ECI corruption in the past and poses three questions for the BJP to answer:

1. Why was the CJI removed from the panel that selects the CEC? Why are the Pm and the Home Minister so keen on choosing the CEC?

2. The BJP government passed a law in December 2023 to grant immunity from the law to the CEC for any actions taken by them while undertaking election duties – why?

3. Why was the law on CCTV footage and data storage changed? Why has the EC been allowed to delete data after 45 days?

He goes onto relist ‘proofs’ he had announced earlier, alleging theft of the Haryana State Election. He says that his proofs and questions have not been answered by the ECI. He also brings up discrepancies in the electoral rolls in Bihar.

He reaffirmed Congress’ demands for Electoral Reforms:

1. Provision of machine-readable voter lists to all parties one month before the election.

2. Repeal of the CCTV and data destruction law.

3. Removal of immunity for the CEC.

He concluded his speech by saying that the biggest anti-national act is Vote Chori, which destroys the modernity and the very idea of India. This was met with protests by members.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey replies to LoP Rahul Gandhi, saying that he is proud to be a part of the RSS. He goes onto list past instances where the Congress allegedly manipulated elections in favour of Muslim votes.

He says that the percentage of Muslims in the country has increased over the years from 9% till 24% in 2011. He claims that this increase is due to Bangladeshi infiltrators who were brought in by opposition parties to skew votes.

He adds that the BJP is the only party that has fought for electoral integrity. Only the private member resolutions have been passed in the country, he says, one of which was by LK Advani.

He says that all modern electoral safeguards - VVPATs, CCTV footage, etc. - are in place thanks to him. He concludes by saying that all of Congress' past policies have been for the appeasement of Muslims and that the BJP fights only for the country.

The Lok Sabha adjourned for the day, with the discussion on Electoral Reforms scheduled to continue at 11am on 10 December 2025. Meanwhile, the discussion on 'Vande Mataram' continues in Rajya Sabha.

Day 8 (10 December 2025) of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025 begins. The Lok Sabha commenced with Question Hour. The Rajya Sabha began with Chair Radhakrishanan commemorating Human Rights Day before moving onto Papers to be Laid and Zero Hour.

Both houses are set to continue their discussions from day 7 of the Winter Session – Electoral Reforms in Lok Sabha and 'Vande Mataram' in Rajya Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah is set to address Lok Sabha on the issue at 5pm.

Opposition MPs protest outside parliament. TMC MPs demand pending MGNREGA funds be disbursed to West Bengal by the Centre. NCP-SCP MPs demand Navi Mumbai International Airport be renamed after DB Patil.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh sought a confirmation of the schedule of the day after discussion ran long on day 7 of the session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju replied, saying that the 'Vande Mataram' discussion will continue from 2pm till around 7pm. The discussion on Electoral Reforms in Rajya Sabha, initially scheduled for today, has been pushed till tomorrow, 11 December 2025, and will conclude on 15 December 2025.

After Question Hour, Lok Sabha moved onto Matters of Urgent Public Importance before resuming the debate on Electoral Reforms. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha moved onto Question Hour.

Home Minister Amit Shah began his address by saying that the reason his government did not want to discuss the SIR was because the parliament cannot question the ECI. He said that he will prove the integrity of the SIR exercise.

He cites the ECI’s responsibility to conduct free and fair elections, Article 325 of the Constitution which states that voters must be citizens of the country, and Article 327 which states that the ECI has a right to determine citizenship for drafting voter lists. He also mentions a case, filed by Lal Babu Hussain in 1995, in which the Supreme Court gave a Returning Officer the right to determine citizenship.

Shah addressed some of the claims raised by Rahul Gandhi in one of his earlier press conferences on ‘vote chori’.

He said that an age discrepancy in Bihar was due to an accident admitted to by the elector.

The ECI had clarified why multiple voters were registered to a single address in Haryana.

Multiple politicians showed up in multiple electoral roles because their names could not be deleted by law.

Replying to the assertions, Rahul Gandhi said that Shah had cherry-picked some examples without addressing the main claims. He challenged Shah to a debate on the issue.

Declining, Shah pointed to three instances of vote chori in the past: when Nehru was elected PM, when Indira Gandhi was elected from Raebareli, and when Priyanka Gandhi voted in an election despite not being a citizen at the time. The last point was challenged by Congress MPs who clarified that the case had been dismissed.

He says that the BJP never raised allegations of vote chori during UPA’s tenure, before saying that he had pointed to discrepancies in Amethi and Wayanand constituencies this past election.

Shah addressed three questions raised by Rahul Gandhi during his earlier speech:

1. Why was the CJI removed from the panel that selects the CEC?

   He says that for 83 years, the PM directly appointed the CEC – why is it a problem if Modi does it now? He adds that the new was passed based on a suggestion by the Supreme Court, and that it was not decided by any one party but passed in Parliament.

2. Why was the law on CCTV footage and data storage changed?

   He says that the data can still be asked for within the stipulated period, and if the window was not there, too many people would be asking for the data, creating a challenge for the ECI.

3. Why did the BJP give immunity to the CEC?

   He said that this law was taken exactly from the 1951 Representation of People Act.

Shah goes on to say that the only reason the opposition was challenging the SIR exercise was to keep infiltrators in the country. The Lok Sabha feed was cut amidst opposition protests. The opposition proceeded to walk out of the House.

He concludes by saying that the SIR and BJP stand against infiltrators. He said that the NDA’s policy is “Detect, Delete, Deport.” He added that NDA won because of the work it had done.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha continued its discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’. Both Houses adjourned for the day.

Day 9 of the Winter Session of Parliament began on 11 December 2025, with the Lok Sabha starting proceedings at 11 am. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari starts the question hour. The day’s agenda included laying of papers, committee reports, and key legislative business.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to move the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, seeking approval for additional expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India for the 2025–26 financial year. The House will also discuss and vote on the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants, along with the cut motions filed by members, as both Houses resume discussions.

Question Hour ended in the Rajya Sabha, followed by J.P. Nadda concluding the discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram. Nadda said the debate highlighted how deeply the song is connected to India’s history and emotions. He noted that Vande Mataram inspired countless freedom fighters and continues to evoke patriotism. Recalling its legacy, he said that when the British tried to impose God Save the Queen in schools, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram ignited a powerful nationalist spirit.

Chaos broke out in the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session as JP Nadda accused the Congress of failing to give due respect to Vande Mataram. Referring to past remarks by several Congress leaders, he questioned the party’s alleged disregard for the national song. His speech prompted sharp reactions from opposition members, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh. Nadda also criticised former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, alleging that he compromised the honour of Vande Mataram.

During the Rajya Sabha discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, Leader of the House JP Nadda emphasised the song’s deep emotional and historical significance. Citing freedom fighter Khudiram Bose’s final words, he described Vande Mataram as a unifying mantra that inspired generations during the Independence movement. Responding to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s claim that the debate aimed to target former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Nadda said the intention was not to defame anyone but to correct historical records.

Nadda argued that Vande Mataram never received the respect it deserved, and he held the leadership of the time responsible. He referred to a 1937 letter in which Nehru reportedly expressed concerns about some stanzas containing difficult words or ideas that might not align with the views of all communities. Mallikarjun Kharge questioned this point, noting that Nehru was not Prime Minister in 1937, to which Nadda replied that Nehru was then the Congress President and influenced decisions surrounding the song.

Quoting Congress Working Committee resolutions from 1937, Nadda said the party decided only the first two stanzas should be sung, citing objections from Muslim leaders. Opposition members protested, accusing him of misleading the House. Nadda then criticised the Congress for not granting Vande Mataram equal space during the Constituent Assembly debates, claiming Nehru did not consider it suitable as the national anthem or for orchestral performance abroad.

As tensions rose, Kharge asked whether the debate was truly about Vande Mataram or an attack on Nehru. Nadda responded that Congress had historically compromised India’s cultural ethos. He concluded by asserting that the discussion would be meaningful only when Vande Mataram is accorded the same honour as the National Anthem and the National Flag. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh countered by citing Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s 1950 statement that the national anthem and national song hold equal status.

Debate on electoral reforms began in the Rajya Sabha with leaders presenting sharply differing views. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said that India remains one of the world’s few truly vibrant democracies. TMC’s Dola Sen questioned how illegal immigrants enter India despite border control being under the Home Ministry, arguing that electoral rolls are being manipulated by excluding voters. DMK MP N.R. Elango highlighted flaws in the current legal framework and raised concerns over the transparency and design of EVMs, calling the present system far from fool-proof.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday criticised the government over the SIR exercise, questioning whether it aims to correct the electoral roll or to target voters. He alleged that the exercise appears more focused on “vote chori” rather than properly updating the voter list.

He further referred to detention centre in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the government’s repeated references to “ghuspaithiye” (illegal immigrants) without taking meaningful action.

On the issue of foreign nationals, Singh said that if any Bangladeshi, Pakistani, or Afghan individuals are found, they should be sent back to their home countries and emphasised that public funds should not be used to accommodate them or wasted on such matters.

Rajya Sabha adjourns; discussions on electoral reforms to resume tomorrow at 11 AM

The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Committee Chair P. P. Chaudhary moved the motion to extend the panel’s tenure until the first day of the last week of the 2026 Budget Session, and the House passed it by voice vote.

Formed in December last year, the committee has so far held consultations with constitutional experts, economists, and Law Commission Chair Dinesh Maheshwari as part of its deliberations.

The Lok Sabha was then adjourned till 11:00 AM tomorrow.

Both houses of parliament began proceedings on Day 10 of the Winter Session of Parliament 2025. Lok Sabha adjourned after observing a moment of silance for former Speaker Shivraj Patil. Rajya Sabha commenced with Papers to be Laid before moving onto Zero Hour.

Meanwhile, LS LoP Rahul Gandhi chairs a review meeting with all Congress MPs.

Lok Sabha reconvenes, starting with Papers to be Laid and proceeding with Zero Hour. LoP Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of air pollution as a matter of public importance, asking for a discussion on the issue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju replied that government is ready to discuss the issue, and after some deliberation, the matter will be taken up for discussion. Gandhi added that the discussion should be constructive, rather than trying to establish blame or throw accusations.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha segues into Question Hour, beginning with a question on 'Availability of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to Farmers'.

Both Houses of parliament adjourned. Lok Sabha adjourned amidst protests by opposition MPs, following a speech by BJP MP Anurag Thakur on the Madurai bench row. Thakur asked why Hindus were being barred from performing religous activities?

Rajya Sabha adjourned in the middle of Question Hour.

Both Houses reconvened with Lok Sabha proceeding with Zero Hour and Rajya Sabha taking up Private Members' Business. The agenda for the day lits Resolutions proposed by members.

RS Nominated Member Sudha Murty moved a Resolution on education reforms, urging the government to consider amending the Constitution to enforce free and compulsary Early Childhood Care and Education, improve Anganwadi services and education access, and further develop modes of education.

The Lok Sabha took up Matters of Urgent Public Importance before moving onto discussing Supplementary Demands for Grants. FM Sitharaman introduced The Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, in the House.

The Lok Sabha moved onto Private Member Business, with INC MP Shafi Parambil proposing a resolution on 'Appropriate Measures to Regulate Airfare in the Country'. The Resolution urged the government to regulate airfare and cap maximum fares across specific routes, convene a joint meeting to discuss increasing airfare during vacation seasons, and establish a quasi-judicial body to regulate and monitor air tariff.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha continues deliberations on the education Resolution.

Following Special Mentions, the Rajya Sabha adjourned, scheduled to meet at 11am on Monday, 15 December 2025. Meanwhile, the airfare discussion continued in Lok Sabha, with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan addressing the House, before the House adjourned for the day.

Day 11 of the Winter Session of Parliament commenced with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rising in Lok Sabha, to address comments made by a Congress MP recently. He alleged that the MP had called for the digging of PM Modi's grave and that Congress leaders should apologise to the nation for this.

Similarly, in Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House JP Nadda raised the same point after Papers were Laid and Statements were made by Ministers. He said that the Congress MP had raised the slogan, “Modi, teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi toh kal khudegi”. He demanded an apology from Congress leaders.

Both Houses were adjourned till 12pm amidst protests by opposition members.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore raised an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on worsening air pollution in Delhi. The BJP also issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House from 15 to 19 December.

The Rajya Sabha will continue its discussion on Electoral Reforms today, while the government is likely to introduce a Bill in Lok Sabha to rename MGNREGA as 'Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana', with minor amendments to the scheme itself.

Lok Sabha resumed with Ministers making Statements, seeking demands for supplementary grants. As the House moved onto Zero Hour, opposition members protested in the well of the house, demanding Home Minister Amit Shah apologise for his abusive language in the House. Chair Dilip Saikia said that the point can be addressed after business for the day is settled. The House was soon adjourned till 2pm.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha proceeded with Question Hour, with first question pertaining to 'Reducing compliance burden in environmental clearance for MSMEs', raised by BJP MP Dhairyasheel Patil.

Question Hour concluded in Rajya Sabha, after questions posed on 'AirSewa web portal and Mobile App', 'Storage levels in major reservoirs and water shortage for Rabi sowing', and 'Progress status of Ashoknagar oil field after grant of PM'. The House moved onto discussing Electoral Reforms.

As the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2pm, The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, Tabled in Lok Sabha. The Bill was moved amidst protests by opposition members. MPs argued that the Bill was introduced in a rushed and unparliamentary manner, in violation of procedure, and without adequate time given to the opposition for preparation.

After the Repealing and Amending Bill, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, was tabled in the House. The introduction of the Bill was listed in the Supplementary List of Business circulated at 1pm, before the House convened.

The Bill proposes the creation of 12 member board to oversee regulatory, accreditation, and standards councils in charge of university education across the country. The board will be selected by the Centre and will have final say over the regulatory framework of higher education, as well as power to impose fines, punishments, and closure of institutions who don't comply with its rules. It further strips the UGC of its power to disburse grants and make appointments to universities.

Speaking on the introduction of the Bill, several members rose to oppose the motion. RSP MP NK Premchandran opposed the introduction, accusing the government of 'bulldozing' the Bill without providing the opposition proper time to study the Bill. He states that this violates procedure and tradition of the House.

Congress MP Manish Tewari states that the Bill gives disproportianate power to the Centre over educational institutions while limiting the power of States.

Congress MP S Jothimani argues that under law, all national Bills must be named in English. She says that the naming of the Bill violates this rule and acts as a mode of Hindi imposition on States.

The Bill was passed by voice vote, amidst protest by opposition MPs. After passing, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju proposed the Bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committe for review.

The third Bill listed in the Supplementary List – The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 – was introduced in the Lok Sabha, amidst protests by opposition members.

The Bill allows the introduction of private actors into the nuclear energy sector. The Bill was introduced by voice vote.

The House then moved onto Demands for Supplementary grants, while Rajya Sabha continued discussion on Electoral Reforms.

The Rajya Sabha continues its debate on Electoral Reforms.

Opposition members raised concerns against the ECI. AAP MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak pointed out that there is no level playing field in today's politics, adding that party funding policies must be reformed. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh said that opposition parties have not been given time to meet the ECI to address their doubts under the tenures of Rajiv Kumar and Gyanesh Kumar. Others points were raised as well: why the ECI did not assuage the doubts of the people and transparently publish data on voter deletetions; how EVMs are untrustworthy and should be replaced with paper ballots; and the toll the SIR is taking on BLOs.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal defended the SIR, saying that the exercise has taken place for decades so why not now. He further said that when Dr. Ambedkar lost a by-election 1954 and complained of voter fraud, the ECI did nothing. At the time, his opponent was a Congress candidate – why was no action taken then, he asked.

The Lok Sabha took up discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants, with members raising various issues and schemes where grants should be alloted. Points raised include the low salary and contractual employment of Anganwadi workers; low salary of doctors working in rural and semi-urban areas; and the Ayushman Bharat scheme coverage.

Members also raised points on various problems with the economy. DMK MP TR Baalu questioned India's low GDP growth, pointing to the IMF's recent 'C' grade given to exports from the country. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted India's weak fertilizer sector and questioned large scale loan write-offs by public sector banks, with no clear solution for recouperation.

Meanwhile, BJP MP CN Manjunath argued that India's economy stood strong, with a low inflation rate and a GDP growth over 8% last quarter. TDP MP Kesineni Sivanath praised India's FDI having crossed $81 billion and MSPs having increased by around 60%.

Rajya Sabha adjourned amidst discussion on Electoral Reforms.

Meanwhile, FM Sitharaman replies to members in Lok Sabha, during discussion on supplementary grants. The matter will be taken up for voting next.

The Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after approving and passing the first batch of the Supplementary Demands for Grants by voice vote.

Both Houses convened at 11am. Rajya Sabha proceeded with Zero Hour and Lok Sabha with Question Hour.

Both Houses will take up legislative business today, with the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, to be taken up for reference to a Joint Committee. Bills to be introduced are the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB – G RAM G Bill, 2025, to replace MGNREGA, and the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, to amend insurance laws.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha will continue discussion on Electoral Reforms.

Following Question Hour, FM Sitharaman tabled the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha for introduction. The Bill seeks to amend the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha takes up Question Hour.

The Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025, has been introduced in Lok Sabha by voice vote, amidst protests by opposition members. MPs argued that the name of the bill was a form of Hindi imposition and that the bill gave undue private players in the insurance sector.

Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan tabled the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha. The bill, better known as the VB-G Ram G bill, faced opposition by members, who questioned the government on why Mahatma Gandhi's name was removed from the bill.

Opposition MPs also argued that the bill put undue burden of financing the rural employment scheme on states, while providing work on a supply basis, not based on demand and need.

The Viksit Bharat — Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by voice vote. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule argued that the bill should be referred to a Standing Committee to evaluate its merits. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier agreed to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, elected by the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chair.

The House was adjourned immediately after passing, amidst protests by opposition members.

The Rajya Sabha concluded with Question Hour for the day. Members raised questions on 'Sustainability of Fair Price Shop', 'Anti-Rabies Vaccine', 'Indoor stadium at Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatna', 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiya', 'Revised procurement targets for Paddy and Rice', and 'Cancer cases in Delhi and Punjab'. A question posed to the Finance Ministry on 'Debt-to-GSDP ratios in States' was removed from the List of Business.

The House then proceeded to continue its discussion on Electoral Reforms.

Concluding the discussion on Electoral Reforms, Leader of the House JP Nadda addressed the House.

Nadda began his speech by praising India's democratic ethos. He congratulated the ECI for overseeing several successful elections and lauded its long journey of reform. He said that the sanctity of the institution should be maintained.

Nadda expressed surprise at the Congress for levelling allegations of 'vote chori' against the ECI. He accused the opposition of misleading the public by questioning the ECi and the SIR. He said that no such questions were raised when the Congress government oversaw the functioning of the institution. He added that the Modi government is always ready to discuss such issues.

Nadda stated that it is the ECI's madate to revise electoral rolls, ensuring that all eligible voters are included and those ineligible are excluded. He added that te first criteria for eligibility is citizenship.

He added that the SIR is a regular process that has taken place many times under the UPA government and that it was needed now to clean up outdated voter lists and ensure no foreign nationals are included in the rolls. This concluded the discussion on Electoral Reforms.

Meanwhile, the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, has been introduced in Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.

The Lok Sabha passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, by voice vote. Following this, FM Sitharaman introduced the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025, for consideration and passing.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha took up discussion on the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, for consideration and return.

The Rajya Sabha approved and returned the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, to Lok Sabha. As a money bill, the Upper House can only offer recommendations on it before returning it to the Lower House.

Following this, the House adjourned for the day. Meanwhile, FM Sitharaman addresses Lok Sabha, replying to the discussion on the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025.

Following FM Sitharaman's speech, in which she said the bill will empower IRDAI and PSU insurance firms, the Lok Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025.

Following this, the House adjourned for the day.

Both Houses of parliament commenced for the day. Lok Sabha began with Question Hour, before proceeding onto Papers to be Laid, Minister Statements, and Committee Reports.

Rajya Sabha began with Papers to be Laid, before proceeding to Question Hour.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, was tabled in Lok Sabha by Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh of the Department of Atomic Energy

Congress MP KC Venugopal raised a point of order, that opposition members had requested the bill, along with the VB-G RAM G bill, be reffered to a Standing Committee or the Joint Committee. He said that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had agreed to send the bill to the Joint Committee before discussion, but now the bill was being rushed without adequate time for debate

Speaker Om Birla said that adequate time will be given for the discussions. Rijiju replied that the government is always ready for discussion and, given that the session is ending soon, these bills should be discussed now.

Opposition members spoke against passing the SHANTI bill in Lok Sabha. They argued that allowing private players into the nuclear energy sector poses several safety risks, pointing to other sectors, such as finance and agriculture, where this has caused problems.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned following Question Hour.

NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule, speaking on the SHANTI Bill, raised several points of concern. Sule began by raising two questions to Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

First, Singh had said that the bill was against monopolies - which monopoly Sule asked. She said that the PSU which looked over nuclear power in India cannot be called a monopoly, if that is what is being referred to. She said that monopolies are formed by oligarchs, like in the case of IndiGo, and measure should be taken to ensure nothing similar happened in the nuclear sector. Second, Singh had said R&D will remain with the government - Sule seeked a clarification on this point.

She went on to question the proposed uranium-thorium fuel mixture listed in the bill. She asks what is the need for the mixture when thorium itself is abundant in India. She asks for a clarification of the government's plan.

A TDP MP had mentioned several US companies ready to invest in the sector, which would help in cost-cutting. She asks why only US companies were listed, asking if only foreign companies will benefit.

Sule raised a point on supplier liability, saying that suppliers must not be given immunity in case of any accident. She also questioned the cap placed on financial liabilities in the bill. She asked how the goverment had arrived at the ₹3,000 crore cap stated.

Sule raised a point on decommissioner liabilities, asking how procedural safeguards during the decommissioning of a plant are to be enforced. Finally, she raised a point on the Right to Information under the bill. She highlighted that Clause 39 of the bill states that no RTIs will entertained. She asks how this can be, given that the bill opens up the sensitive nuclear sector to private entities and given the government's stated committment to transparency.

Rajya Sabha reconvened, beginning discussion on the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025.

Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Mane praised the SHANTI Bill for its commitment to increasing India's energy production capacity while giving importance to ecological conservation. BJP MP Shankar Lalwani praised the bill for its safety precautions, saying that scientists have attested that there is more radiation in the parliament than outside nuclear plants, and that the government itself will process and dispose all nuclear waste generated. TDP MP Krishan Tenneti said the this bill will promote long-term foreign investments in India and help scale India's power generation capacity.

Meanhwile, Shive Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant questioned a clause from the bill that provided protection from liabilities to the government, the board, and any private actors for actions taken in good faith. He also pointed to a clause that disallowed any suit against any authority in civil courts for actions taken under the guidelines of the bill. INC MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted a clause in the bill that allowed the government the exempt any plant from licensing or liability if the expected risk is deemed insignificant.

Rajya Sabha took up the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025, for discussion after passing the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, by voice vote.

INC MP Shaktisinh Gohil began the discussion by questioning the procedure of introduction of the bill. He asked why members had not been given adequate time to prepare for the bill, why the bill was being rushed, and why the chair had not intervened in the matter.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh responds to the dicussion on the SHANTI Bill, saying that it gives greater independence and authorisation to private entities in the nuclear sector.

He says that the bill strengthens existing safety, security, safeguard, quality assurance and emergency preparedness mechanisms. He says that the government can restrict certain companies from involvement for security reasons.

Singh asserts that the bill is needed to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. It will increase India's nuclear energy production capacity to 100GW, accounting for 10% of the total energy production, he says. This will help meet India's growing power needs and achieve net-zero emmissions, he adds.

INC MP Manish Tewari rises to argue against the removal of the clause formalising supplier liability. He also argued against the repeal of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

Singh counters by saying that operators are free to draft agreements with suppliers ensuring liability. He adds that the clause has been removed to encourage investments, saying that supplier liability is why foreing entities have been hesitant to invest in the Indian nuclear sector.

Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025. The bill was passed by voice vote amidst a walkout by the Opposition.

The House will move onto discussing the VB-G RAM G Bill next.

Lok Sabha takes up the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, for discussion. The bill was tabled by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Chouhan. INC MP Jai Parkash begins the debate.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha continues deliberation on the Insurance Bill.

Replying to the discussion on the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025, in Rajya Sabha, FM Sitharaman addresses the House.

She began her speech by saying that allowing FDI into the insurance sector has been in the works since 1999. Doing so will allow seemless claim settlement between hospitals and companies, she says. She adds that this bill well help provide affordable insurance to rural consumers.

She continues, countering the point that the bill is being rushed, saying that it is overdue. She moves onto to address whether the bill will decrease jobs. She says that increased FDI will expand the market, meaning that net jobs will increase. As FDI has increased, she said, the number of agents has also increased - from 33 lakh to 88 lakh.

Sitharaman says that the bill mandates rural and social sector obligations for companies.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabka Raksha Bill, 2025. by voice vote. A motion to refer the bill to a Standing Committee and several raised amendments were rejected.

FM Sitharaman said that opening up the insurance sector to private players will increase competition and, thereby, decrease insuarance rates. She added that the bill will help strengthen public insurance companies.

The House then adjourned for the day. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha continues to discuss the G RAM G Bill.

The Lok Sabha adjourned in the middle of discussions on the VB-G RAM G Bill, with Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan to reply in the House tomorrow, 18 december 2025.

Proceedings commenced in both Houses, with the Lok Sabha taking up Question Hour and Rajya Sabha beginning with Papers to be Laid.

In the Lower House, questions were raised on the UDAN and Regional Connectivity Schemes, maintenance of National Highways, international scholarships for tribal students, and the upliftment of the Tharu tribe. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha moved onto Zero Hour.

The Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025, has been tabled for introduction in Lok Sabha by FM Sitharaman. This follows Zero Hour, Minister Statements, and Papers to be Laid in the Lower House.

INC MP Manish Tewari opposes the introduction, with FM Sitharam moving a motion to refer the bill to a Standing Committee. The motion was passed by voice vote.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha moved onto Question Hour.

The VB-G RAM G Bill has been tabled in Lok Sabha for consideration and passing, following the introduction of the introduction of the Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025.

INC MP KC Venugopal raised a point that the G RAM G Bill should be referred to a Standing Committee before discussion. Speaker Om Birla denies the request. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan rises to introduce the bill amidst protests by opposition members.

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan delivers a speech on the VB-G RAM G Bill in Lok Sabha amidst protests by opposition members.

Chouhan talks about the values of Hindutva, says that Congress imposed Gandhi's name on the rural employment shceme, praises Modi's contributions to the bill, and attacks the Gandhi family in his speech. Opposition members swarm the well of the House, raising the slogan, " We want MGNREGA."

"My name is Shivraj Singh Chouhan," the Minister replies, "and Congress can't stop me from speaking."

Question Hour concludes in Rajya Sabha. Questions were raised on the conservation of protected and archeological monuments, 'Radiation technologies, radio-pharmaceuticals and cancer-care infrastructure', protection of the Indian Roller (state bird of Telangana), and connectivity in Raigad and Konkan regions.

Following this, Minister of State, Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, in the House for consideration and passing. INC MP Jairam Ramesh begins the discussion.

Following Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan's speech, Speaker Om Birla passed the VB-G RAM G Bill in the House. The bill was passed via voice vote, without discussion, amidst protests by opposition MPs.

The House was then adjourned till 19 December 2025.

Beginning discussion on the SHANTI Bill in Rajya Sabha, INC MP Jairam Ramesh talks about the history of atomic energy in India.

He says that the first bill relating to nuclear energy was passed in 1948 by Nehru. Over the next decade, several commissions and departments pertaining to the topic are created, he continues. Then, he says, the first reactor is commissioned in 1956.

He stresses that India's nuclear sector should be led by the public sector, and opening it up would discredit the work of pinoeering nuclear scientists Dr. Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. He argues that consideration should be given to domestic scientiscts rather than foreign private companies. He adds that any technology used should be domestic.

He also points out that India is home to a quarter of the world's thorium reserves, which should be used to jumpstart the sector.

As discussion continues on the SHANTI Bill, opposition members raised their concerns. DMK MP P Wilson says that the bill dilutes safety measures and supplier liability. He argues that climate change fuelled natural disasters increases the risk of accidents. He says that the bill opens up to private players a domain historically kept under public control for safety and security reasons. He adds that the cap on liability payments shifts the burden of any accident onto taxpayers - as if the bill is strategicaly tailored to benfit only companies.

AAP MP Sandeep Pathak points out that the bill does not outline a strict regulatory framework to accompany opening up the sector to private entities, as is the case abroad.

BRS MP KR Suresh Reddy highlights a lack of security, safety and environmental regulations, while also raising the point of muclear mining.

YSRCP MP Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla says that the bill does not guarantee local emplyment and state benefits, nor does it mention any safeguards for affected communites in case of disaster.

Many members comdemned privatisation of the nuclear sector and argued that the bill should be referred to a Standing Committee or the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

As the discussion continues, BJP MP Kiran Choudhry lauds the bill, saying that it replaces obsolete and fragmented policies with a unified framework. She adds that the bill clearly lists safety guidelines.

Nominated MP Sudha Murthy supports the idea of privatising the nuclear sector, saying that it can help meet India's growing energy demands if carried out with a positive mindset.

Minister of State, Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh replies to the discussion, saying that bill has been in discussion for over a year. He says that the focus of the bill will be on smalller, modular reactors, limiting sefety concerns. He adds that reactors will be situated far from seismic zones, limiting exposure to natural disasters.

He acknowledged the BJP's past reservation towards the bill, saying that the situation is different now.

Rajya Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, by voice vote. Opposition members protested the motion, demanding that the bill be referred to a Standing Committee or the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan introduced the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing. The bill was not listed in the List of Business for the day. It was passed in Lok Sabha earlier today by voice vote amidst protests by opposition groups.

Opposition MPs protested the introduction and raised several Points of Order. They argued that the bill was Listed for discussion only at 5pm and was taken up at 6:45pm. They drew attention to the parliamentary rules, arguing that bills need to be listed a day in advance and that time for discussion needs to be allotted.

When a member raised a point that the bill must be sent to a Select Committe before, but was rejected, they drew a comparison with the rushed passing of the Farm Laws, which had led to mass protests.

Deputy Chair Harivansh refused to entertain any points, striking them from the record, and proceeding with the discussion.

Opposition members protests against the VB-G RAM G Bill in Rajya Sabha, demanding that the bill be withdrawn. They criticized the bill for being rushed through parliament, against procedural norms.

Lead of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asks why the bill is being forced like this. He says that even if it is rished through parliament, people's protests will force the government to withdraw it like with the farm laws.

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan replied to the discussion, praising the Modi government for its commitment to workers and farmers. Opposition members created chaos in the house, protesting the bill and raising slogans. Chair CP Radhakrishnan shouted at the opposition, asking them to maintain order.

Chair CP Radhakrishnan passed the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, by voice vote. Following a massive protest, the opposition staged a walkout and was not present for the vote.

The House was adjourned.

Both Houses of parliament adjourned abruptly on day 15 (19 December 2025) of the Winter Session of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha proceeded with Papers to be Laid, Minister Statements and Committee Reports first.

In both Houses, 'Vande Mataram' was played and the Houses were adjourned promptly after proceedings began. This is despite business listed for the day and protests by opposition members.