What is Article 87 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 87: Special address by the President (1) At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the House of the People and at the
📅 Part V – The Union
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Article Number

87

part

Part V – The Union

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Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 87: Special address by the President

  • (1) At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the House of the People and at the commencement of the first session of each year the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and inform Parliament of the causes
    of its summons.
  • (2) Provision shall be made by the rules regulating the procedure of either House for the allotment of time for discussion of the matters referred to in such address.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 87 of the Indian Constitution outlines the President’s role in addressing both Houses of Parliament. This special address occurs at two key times: after each general election to the House of the People and at the beginning of each year. This address serves as a formal occasion where the President informs Parliament about the reasons for its convening. It is a moment for the President to outline the government’s agenda and priorities, allowing members of Parliament to understand what to expect in the upcoming session. The address affects both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, as they gather together to hear the President’s speech. This process enhances the significance of the sessions by framing the government’s plans and objectives clearly. The rules set by each House regulate how much time is allotted for discussions following the President’s address. This ensures that Parliament can engage with the topics presented, facilitating a healthy debate and discussion on government policies. Real-world impacts of this article can be seen in how it sets the tone for the parliamentary session. For instance, the President’s address can highlight pressing national issues, such as economic challenges or social reforms, guiding legislators on urgent matters. By informing Parliament of the government’s priorities, it encourages accountability and responsiveness from elected representatives, which is key for a functioning democracy. Overall, Article 87 plays a critical role in the legislative process, ensuring the government remains transparent and accountable to the people through their representatives.

Historical Context

Article 87 was included in the Constitution when it was adopted in 1950. The Constituent Assembly debated the President’s role extensively, emphasizing the need for direct communication between the government and Parliament. The provisions were designed to ensure that the President, as the head of state, communicates directly with Parliament. Although there have been no amendments specifically to Article 87, it reflects the democratic principles established during the framing of the Constitution. Key Supreme Court cases, like the Kesavananda Bharati case, highlight the President’s role in maintaining the balance of power within the government, reinforcing the article’s relevance.

Key Features

– The President addresses both Houses of Parliament at specific times.
– The address occurs after general elections and at the year’s start.
– It informs Parliament about the reasons for its summon.
– Rules govern the time allocated for discussion of the address.
– The address sets the agenda for the parliamentary session.

Importance & Impact

– The President’s address outlines the government’s priorities and strategic plans for the year.
– This address fosters accountability among elected representatives in their legislative activities.
– Members can engage in discussions based on the President’s address, facilitating informed debates.
– The address serves as an opportunity to address pressing national issues and challenges.
– This process strengthens the relationship between the executive branch and the legislative branch.

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements about the Presidential Address under Article 87: 1. The President must address Parliament at the start of the first session of each year. 2. The President addresses only the Lok Sabha under Article 87. 3. The Presidential Address is drafted by the Cabinet, not written by the President personally. 4. If the Motion of Thanks on the Presidential Address is defeated, the government must resign. Which statements are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer

Option C is correct. Article 87 specifies that the President’s address is followed by discussions regulated by the rules of each House, ensuring an organized debate on the presented agenda. Options A and B are incorrect as the address occurs after elections and at the year’s start, not based on financial years. Option D is wrong because the address is a constitutional requirement, not an option.

Key Takeaways

✓ The President addresses Parliament after general elections and annually.
✓ The address informs Parliament about government priorities and pressing issues.
✓ Rules regulate discussion time following the President’s address for clarity.
✓ The address promotes accountability and responsiveness from elected representatives.
✓ It helps maintain a strong relationship between the government and Parliament.

FAQs

Article 87 of the Indian Constitution outlines the President’s role in addressing both Houses of Parliament. This special address occurs at two key times: after each general election to the House of the People and at the beginning of each year. This address serves as a formal occasion where the President informs Parliament about the reasons for its convening.

The rules set by each House regulate how much time is allotted for discussions following the President’s address. This ensures that Parliament can engage with the topics presented, facilitating a healthy debate and discussion on government policies. Real-world impacts of this article can be seen in how it sets the tone for the parliamentary session.

For instance, the President’s address can highlight pressing national issues, such as economic challenges or social reforms, guiding legislators on urgent matters. By informing Parliament of the government’s priorities, it encourages accountability and responsiveness from elected representatives, which is key for a functioning democracy. Overall, Article 87 plays a critical role in the legislative process, ensuring the government remains transparent and accountable to the people through their representatives.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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