PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION

Articles 86 and 87 of the Constitution deals with the Address by the President.

Article 86:

• Article 86 confers a right on the President to address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together, and for that purpose require the attendance of members.
  
  
• However, since the commencement of the Constitution, the President has not so far addressed a House or Houses together under this provision.
  
  

Article 87:

• Article 87 of the constitution provides two instances when the President of India specially addresses both Houses of Parliament (Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha).
  • The President addresses both the houses at beginning of the first session of each year.
    
    
  • The President also addresses both the houses at the beginning of the first Session after each general election when the reconstituted Lok Sabha meets for the first time.
    
    
  
  
  
• The President’s speech essentially highlights the government’s policy priorities and plans for the upcoming year. The address provides a broad framework of the government’s agenda and direction.