Govt announces dates for Winter Session
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday confirmed that the Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to 19, 2025. The announcement was made through a post on X, where the minister expressed optimism about “a constructive and meaningful session that strengthens democracy and meets the aspirations of the people.”
The 19-day session will feature key legislative business and debates ahead of the holiday recess. Traditionally, the Winter Session begins in the third week of November and concludes before Christmas. In 2024, it ran from November 25 to December 20.
Opposition calls it ‘short and unusually delayed’
Opposition parties have criticised the schedule, calling it unusually short and delayed. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, the party’s General Secretary (Communications) and Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha, said the government appeared to have “no business to transact, no bills to pass, and no debate to allow.”
Taking to X, Ramesh wrote that the delay and truncation of the session reflect the government’s reluctance to engage in meaningful parliamentary work.
Echoing similar sentiments, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien accused the government of avoiding scrutiny, remarking that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team “suffer from Parliament-ophobia a morbid fear of facing Parliament.” He added that the move set a “dubious record.”
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Monsoon Session recap
As reported by The Hindu, the 2025 Monsoon Session concluded on August 21 after a month of disruptions and adjournments. During the session, the Lok Sabha passed 12 bills and the Rajya Sabha 14.
Most of the proceedings were overshadowed by repeated opposition demands for debates on Operation Sindoor and the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar. Meaningful discussions took place briefly, with Operation Sindoor being addressed in both Houses.
Flashback: turbulent Winter Session of 2024
Last year’s Winter Session saw intense exchanges across party lines. Key moments included debates on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, a no-confidence notice against then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and an Opposition move seeking impeachment of an Allahabad High Court judge. The session concluded amid uproar over an alleged insult to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Outlook for the upcoming session
With just over two weeks of business days, all eyes are on Parliament as the government attempts to push legislative priorities amid a charged political atmosphere. Opposition parties have already signalled a combative stance, setting the stage for yet another heated session in the winter of 2025.