Article 87 of the Constitution of India deals with the special address by the President to both Houses of Parliament assembled together. It specifies the occasions on which the President is required to address Parliament and sets out the constitutional purpose of this address.
- Meaning of Article 87
- When Does the President Give the Special Address?
- Who Is Addressed?
- Purpose of the Special Address
- President’s Address and Council of Ministers
- Article 87(1)
- Article 87(2)
- Motion of Thanks
- Article 87 and Article 86
- Article 87 and Article 85
- Article 87 and Article 74
- Article 87 and Article 79
- Constitutional Amendment to Article 87
- Is the President’s Address the Same as a Joint Sitting?
- Difference Between Special Address and Ordinary Address
- Article 87 at a Glance
- Common Confusions
- Quick Revision
- Conclusion
Meaning of Article 87
Article 87 provides for a special address by the President at the beginning of certain parliamentary sessions.
The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together:
- At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha; and
- At the commencement of the first session of each year.
The address informs Parliament about the government’s policies, legislative programme and important matters that the government considers relevant.
When Does the President Give the Special Address?
There are two occasions under Article 87.
1. First Session After a General Election
After a general election to the Lok Sabha, when the newly constituted Lok Sabha begins its first session, the President addresses both Houses assembled together.
This provides an opportunity to outline the broad priorities and programme of the newly formed government.
2. First Session of Each Year
The President also gives the special address at the commencement of the first session of Parliament in each year.
This address generally sets out the government’s policies and legislative priorities for the upcoming period.
Who Is Addressed?
The President addresses:
Both Houses of Parliament assembled together
This means:
Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha → Joint sitting for the President’s special address
This is different from Article 86, under which the President may address either House separately or both Houses together.
Purpose of the Special Address
The President’s address serves several constitutional and parliamentary purposes.
It generally provides an overview of:
- Government policies;
- Legislative priorities;
- Major programmes and initiatives;
- Important national issues; and
- The government’s agenda for the parliamentary session.
The address therefore serves as a formal statement of the government’s programme before Parliament.
President’s Address and Council of Ministers
Although the President formally delivers the address, its contents reflect the policies and programme of the elected government.
This follows from India’s parliamentary system and the constitutional requirement under Article 74 that the President acts with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
Therefore, the President’s address should not be understood as an independent policy statement personally prepared by the President.
Article 87(1)
Article 87(1) specifies the occasions for the special address.
The President shall address both Houses assembled together:
- At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha; and
- At the commencement of the first session of each year.
The provision therefore establishes the constitutional occasions on which the special address is made.
Article 87(2)
Article 87(2) provides that 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 the President’s address.
This allows Parliament to discuss the contents of the address through its parliamentary procedure.
The discussion generally takes place through the Motion of Thanks.
Motion of Thanks
Following the President’s special address, Parliament discusses the contents of the address through a Motion of Thanks.
Members may:
- Express support for the government’s programme;
- Raise issues concerning government policies;
- Criticise government actions; and
- Suggest matters that should receive attention.
The Motion of Thanks therefore provides an important parliamentary opportunity to scrutinise the government’s agenda.
Article 87 and Article 86
These two Articles are closely related but should not be confused.
Article 86
The President may:
- Address either House;
- Address both Houses together; and
- Send messages to either House.
Article 87
The President is required to give a special address to both Houses assembled together on specified constitutional occasions.
Therefore:
Article 86 → General power to address
Article 87 → Special constitutional address
Article 87 and Article 85
Article 85 deals with the summoning of Parliament.
Article 87 deals with the President’s special address at the beginning of specified sessions.
The President’s special address therefore takes place in connection with the sessions summoned under Article 85.
Article 87 and Article 74
Article 74 requires the President to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
The contents of the President’s address therefore generally reflect the policies and programme of the government.
Article 87 and Article 79
Article 79 establishes Parliament as consisting of:
- President;
- Rajya Sabha; and
- Lok Sabha.
Article 87 provides for the President’s special address to both Houses.
Constitutional Amendment to Article 87
Article 87 originally contemplated a broader set of occasions for the President’s special address.
The provision was subsequently amended by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951 and later by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
The current provision reflects the constitutional framework after these amendments.
Is the President’s Address the Same as a Joint Sitting?
Not exactly.
The President’s special address is delivered to both Houses assembled together, but it is not the same as a joint sitting of Parliament convened for legislative business under Article 108.
A joint sitting under Article 108 is used to resolve certain deadlocks between the two Houses concerning Bills.
The President’s address under Article 87 is a constitutional address to both Houses.
Difference Between Special Address and Ordinary Address
The special address under Article 87 is constitutionally required on specified occasions.
An address under Article 86, on the other hand, is a general constitutional power allowing the President to address either House or both Houses.
Article 87 at a Glance
| Point | Constitutional Position |
|---|---|
| Article | Article 87 |
| Subject | Special address by President |
| Who addresses? | President |
| Who is addressed? | Both Houses assembled together |
| First occasion | First session after each Lok Sabha general election |
| Second occasion | First session of each year |
| Purpose | Outline government’s policies and programme |
| Discussion | Motion of Thanks |
| Related Article | Article 86 |
| Joint sitting for legislative deadlock | Article 108 |
Common Confusions
When Does the President Give the Special Address?
At the commencement of:
- The first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha; and
- The first session of each year.
Does the President Address Only Lok Sabha?
No.
The President addresses both Houses assembled together.
Is Article 87 the Same as Article 86?
No.
Article 86 provides a general right to address either House or both Houses, while Article 87 deals with the special address on specified constitutional occasions.
Is the President’s Address the Same as a Joint Sitting Under Article 108?
No.
Article 87 concerns a constitutional address by the President. Article 108 concerns a joint sitting to resolve certain legislative deadlocks.
What Is the Motion of Thanks?
It is the parliamentary motion through which members discuss and respond to the President’s special address.
Does the President Personally Decide the Government’s Policy in the Address?
No.
The address reflects the policies and programme of the government, consistent with India’s parliamentary system and Article 74.
Quick Revision
- Article 87 → Special address by President.
- President addresses both Houses assembled together.
- First occasion → First session after each general election to Lok Sabha.
- Second occasion → First session of each year.
- Address generally outlines the government’s policies and programme.
- Discussion takes place through the Motion of Thanks.
- Article 86 → General right of President to address and send messages.
- Article 85 → Sessions, prorogation and dissolution.
- Article 74 → Aid and advice of Council of Ministers.
- Article 108 → Joint sitting of Parliament in certain legislative deadlocks.
Conclusion
Article 87 provides for the special constitutional address by the President to both Houses of Parliament assembled together. The address is delivered at the beginning of the first session after a general election to the Lok Sabha and at the beginning of the first session of each year.
It provides Parliament with an opportunity to consider the government’s proposed policies and legislative programme through the Motion of Thanks.
The key point to remember is:
Article 87 → President’s special address to both Houses at the first session after each Lok Sabha general election and at the first session of every year.
