How a bill becomes a law

Most bills are "Government bills", introduced by a minister. A bill introduced by any other member is a "Private Member's bill"; both follow the same broad path, though very few private member's bills become law.

A bill can start in either House of Parliament - the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) - with one exception: a Money Bill can only start in the Lok Sabha.

First reading: the bill is introduced and its title and aims are read out. There is usually no debate at this stage.

Second reading: the heart of the process. Members debate the bill's principles and then its clauses one by one, proposing and voting on amendments.

Third reading: the House votes on the bill as a whole. If it passes, it moves to the other House.

A bill is often referred to a Parliamentary Committee - a smaller group of MPs who examine it in detail, take expert and public views, and suggest changes.

Committees do much of the careful, less visible work of law-making, and their reports shape the final text before the full House votes.

A bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the same form.

If the two Houses disagree, the President can summon a rare "joint sitting" of both Houses to resolve the deadlock - though this has happened only a handful of times.

A Money Bill is different: the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes, and the Lok Sabha may accept or reject them.

Once both Houses pass a bill, it goes to the President, who can give assent (making it an Act), withhold assent, or return a non-Money Bill for reconsideration - but if Parliament passes it again, the President must sign.

An Act usually names the date it comes into force, or lets the government notify that date later. Only then does it actually apply.

In a state, a bill passes through the Legislative Assembly (and the Legislative Council, where one exists) and then goes to the Governor for assent.

The Governor may also reserve certain bills for the President's consideration.