Article 107 is a foundational provision in the Constitution of India, specifically part of Part V, Chapter II (The Parliament), which outlines the legislative procedure for ordinary Bills. The provision, titled "Provisions as to introduction and passing of Bills," was debated as Draft Article 87 on May 20, 1949, and was created to establish a clear, bicameral process for law-making in the newly formed republic. It solved the problem of defining how a proposed law (Bill) would move through the two Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The core mechanism of Article 107(1) is that an ordinary Bill may originate in either House of Parliament, unlike Money Bills, which are restricted to the Lok Sabha under Article 109. Article 107(2) mandates that a Bill is not considered passed unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with amendments agreed upon by both. This reflects the principle of bicameralism, ensuring checks and balances. The provision also addresses legislative continuity: Article 107(3) states that a Bill pending in Parliament shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the Houses. Furthermore, Article 107(4) ensures that a Bill pending in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) that has not been passed by the House of the People (Lok Sabha) shall not lapse on a dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Article 107 is closely connected to Article 108, which provides for a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve a legislative deadlock if the Houses disagree on a Bill. It is also linked to Article 109 and Article 117, which carve out special procedures for Money Bills and other Financial Bills, respectively, as these are exceptions to the general rule of equal origination and passing. The final step in the legislative process, the President's assent, is governed by Article 111. The text of Article 107 has remained substantially the same since its enactment in 1950, with no major recent amendments replacing or changing its core provisions regarding the introduction and passing of ordinary Bills.