Monsoon Session of Parliament Begins Tomorrow, Key Bills on Agenda

The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on July 21 and will run until August 21, marking the first session since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps across the border in Pakistan. The session is expected to be politically charged, with the Income Tax Bill 2025 among the key legislations likely to come up.

As lawmakers gear up for the month-long session, it is also a moment to reflect on the legislative highlights and political turbulence seen during the first three sessions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, the Monsoon Session 2024, Winter Session 2024, and Budget Session 2025. These sessions were marked by bold reforms, heated debates, and, at times, unprecedented disruptions.

The Monsoon Session 2024, held soon after the NDA retained power for a third consecutive term, was relatively light on legislative business but high on political theatrics. While the Budget did not carry major policy announcements, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mounted a robust defence of the government’s economic record, citing job creation, controlled inflation, and strong fiscal management.

The Winter Session 2024, held between November 25 and December 20, was one of the most tumultuous in recent memory. More than 140 Opposition MPs were suspended for continuous disruptions—one of the largest such actions in Indian parliamentary history. The session witnessed repeated adjournments over contentious issues like the situation in Manipur, but also saw the introduction of two significant bills linked to the government’s ambitious One Nation, One Election plan. A constitutional amendment bill and a proposal to synchronise Union Territory elections were both referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination.

The Budget Session 2025, which ran from January 31 to April 4, was noted for its sweeping tax reforms and populist measures. A restructured Income Tax regime made annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh tax-free, with significant relief for those earning up to ₹24 lakh, along with simplified compliance rules. The government also announced a record ₹1.5 lakh crore capital outlay and introduced 200 new Vande Bharat trains.

Among key welfare measures, the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana was launched to support farmers, while the Lakhpati Didi scheme aimed to economically empower women. However, the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, following a marathon 12-hour debate in the Lok Sabha, ignited controversy. Opposition parties claimed it sought to weaken Muslim institutions, while the government argued it was a step toward greater transparency in Waqf board operations.

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