Parliament's Monsoon Session Stays Unprorogued for a Record 88 Days: What Prorogation Means
Parliament's 2026 Monsoon Session began on 20 July. Both Houses were adjourned sine die (closed without fixing a date to meet again) on 13 August 2026.
The session has still not been prorogued (formally closed by the President). As of 9 November 2026, the gap is 88 days, reported as the longest such gap on record, one day more than the previous record of 87 days.
Usually the President prorogues a session within a few days of the sine die adjournment.
Because the session is still technically open, officials say the Houses can be called back for more sittings at about two days' notice. Starting a fresh session needs about 14 days' notice to members.
The delay has been linked to the possibility of bringing back a law on women's reservation and delimitation. A Constitution amendment bill on this was defeated in the Lok Sabha on 17 April 2026 because it did not get a two-thirds majority.
Sessions, Adjournment Sine Die, and Prorogation (Article 85)
Parliament does not sit all year. It meets in blocks of time called sessions. Article 85 of the Constitution gives the President the power to call each House to meet (summon), to end a session (prorogue), and to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President uses these powers on the advice of the Union government.
The Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on 13 August but the President has not prorogued it. Keeping it open lets the government call Parliament back at short notice, which is why the 88-day gap is being linked to a possible women's reservation bill.
The Women's Reservation Act, 2023 (106th Constitutional Amendment)
The Women's Reservation Act, 2023 reserves one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha, every State Legislative Assembly and the Delhi Legislative Assembly for women. Its official name is the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, also called the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The reservation does not start at once. It begins only after a fresh delimitation based on a new census, and it lasts for 15 years.
The long gap before prorogation is being linked to the government keeping the option to bring a fresh bill on women's reservation and delimitation. That bill would change how and when the 2023 Act's one-third quota starts. Any such change is a Constitution amendment, so it again needs a special majority in both Houses.
- Monsoon Session 2026: began 20 July; both Houses adjourned sine die on 13 August 2026
- Unprorogued for 88 days as of 9 November 2026, reported as a record (previous record 87 days)
- Reconvening an unprorogued session: about 2 days' notice; a new session: about 14 days' notice
- Article 85: maximum gap of six months between two sessions; President summons, prorogues and dissolves
- Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 defeated in Lok Sabha on 17 April 2026: 298 for, 230 against
- Women's Reservation Act, 2023: one-third seats in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Delhi Assembly; for 15 years after delimitation