Polity & GovernanceImportant2025-04-04

Parliament Budget Session 2025 Concludes

In News

What Happened

The Budget Session of Parliament officially concluded on April 4, 2025, with both Houses being adjourned sine die. During this highly productive session, 16 bills were passed, including the fiercely debated Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025. The session saw marathon late-night sittings to clear pending legislative business.

Why It Matters

The session marked a significant overhaul of India's legal and administrative frameworks. It modernized colonial-era immigration laws to bolster national security and completely restructured the governance of Waqf properties to introduce stricter state oversight, transparency, and gender representation.

Background

History & Context

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was initially introduced in August 2024 but faced intense opposition, leading to its referral to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chaired by MP Jagdambika Pal. After receiving over 97 lakh memoranda and holding 38 sittings across India, the JPC submitted its report in early 2025. Concurrently, the government sought to unify fragmented immigration laws dating back to 1920 to tackle illegal immigration effectively.

What Changed

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Waqf Governance: BEFORE, Waqf Boards had broad autonomy to declare properties as Waqf under 'Waqf by user' without strict documentation. NOW, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 mandates formal registration, allows government oversight, and ensures the representation of at least two women on Waqf boards.
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Immigration Framework: BEFORE, immigration was governed by four scattered laws including the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and the Foreigners Act, 1946. NOW, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 consolidates these into a single framework and establishes a centralized Bureau of Immigration.
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Outdated Laws Repealed: BEFORE, the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923, was still partially active in governing certain Waqf properties. NOW, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 officially scraps this century-old colonial legislation.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 11 Political Science Chapter 5 - Legislature. It practically demonstrates the legislative process of how a bill becomes a law, the crucial role of Joint Parliamentary Committees in scrutinizing contentious bills, and the application of 'Adjournment Sine Die' by the presiding officer.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the legislative business concluded in the Budget Session 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 consolidates and repeals the Foreigners Act, 1946. 2. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed directly by Parliament without being referred to any parliamentary committee. 3. 'Adjournment Sine Die' refers to terminating a sitting of Parliament without fixing a date for the next meeting. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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