Substantive Motion in Lok Sabha | 16 Feb 2026

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

A Member of Parliament (MP) has invoked a Substantive Motion in the Lok Sabha against the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), seeking disqualification from Parliament and a lifetime ban from contesting elections over alleged conduct against national interest.

What are the Key Facts About Motion? 

• About: In parliamentary proceedings, a 'motion' is a formal proposal made by a member to elicit a decision from the House.  
  • Every question decided by the House must be proposed as a motion, which is then resolved in either the affirmative or the negative.  
  • Motions are the fundamental basis for all discussions and decisions in Parliament. 
• Admissibility of Motions: The Speaker decides the admissibility of a motion. Under Rule 186 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, a motion must satisfy specific criteria to be admitted, including: 
  • It must raise one definite issue. 
  • It must not contain arguments, ironical expressions, or defamatory statements. 
  • It must be restricted to a matter of recent occurrence. 
  • It must not relate to a matter currently under adjudication by a court (Sub-judice). 
  • It must be primarily the concern of the Government of India. 
• Types of Motions: Motions are classified into three primary categories based on their independence and purpose:

Substantive Motions 

• About: A Substantive Motion is a self-contained proposal that stands on its own and is drafted to express a clear decision of the House without referring to any other motion. 
  • It is used for discussing the conduct of persons in high authority or for making major decisions. 
• Example: All resolutions are substantive motions because they are complete in themselves and express the decision of the House.  
  • It is used for: 
    • Impeachment of the President.  
    • Removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. 
    • Election of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. 
    • Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. 
    • Adjournment motion on a matter of public importance. 
    • Confidence or No-Confidence motion in the Council of Ministers. 
    • Resolution for removal of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. 
    • Motion declaring a member’s seat vacant. 
    • Motions for discussion on matters of general public interest. 

Substitute Motions 

• About: Substitute Motions are moved in substitution of an original motion (such as a motion to consider a policy or situation).  
  • While they can express an opinion, they depend on the original motion.  
• Process: During a debate on a policy consideration, a member can move a substitute motion.  
  • At the end of the debate, only the substitute motion is put to the vote. 
• Example: In 1991, during a discussion on the international situation, members moved substitute motions to express that the government's foreign policy was "unsatisfactory" due to specific failures (e.g., response to the Gulf War). 

Subsidiary Motions 

• About: It is a motion which depends upon or relates to another motion or follows upon some proceedings in the House.  
  • By itself it has no meaning and is not capable of stating the decision of the House without reference to the original motion or proceedings of the House. 
• Types of Subsidiary Motions: 
  • Ancillary Motions: It is a motion recognised by the practice of the House as the regular method for conducting various kinds of legislative business.  
    • It facilitates the progress of proceedings, such as moving that a Bill be taken into consideration or that the Bill be passed. 
  • Superseding Motions: It is moved during debate to replace or delay the main question under consideration.  These are often dilatory (intended to delay). 
    • Examples include recommitting a Bill to a Select or Joint Committee, recirculating it for public opinion, or adjourning its consideration to a later date. 
  • Amendments: It is a subsidiary motion that introduces a new stage of consideration before the final decision on the main question.  
    • It may seek to modify a Bill, resolution, motion, or even another amendment, either to make the proposal more acceptable or to present an alternative proposition to the House.