A bill becomes an Act after being passed by both Houses of Parliament and receiving the assent of the:

Under Article 111 of the Constitution, when a bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is presented to the President for assent. Only after the President gives assent does the bill become an Act (law). The President is an integral part of Parliament (Article 79), along with the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

When a bill is presented, the President has several options:

Give assent: the bill becomes an Act.

Withhold assent: the bill ends and does not become an Act. This is called an absolute veto.

Return the bill for reconsideration (if it is not a Money Bill), with or without suggesting changes. If Parliament passes it again, with or without amendments, and presents it to the President, the President must give assent. This is called a suspensive veto.

Keep the bill pending indefinitely, since the Constitution sets no time limit for the President's decision. This is called a pocket veto. President Zail Singh used it in 1986 on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill.

Special cases:

• Money Bills: they are introduced with the President's prior recommendation, so the President normally gives assent; he cannot return them for reconsideration.
• Constitutional Amendment Bills: after the 24th Amendment (1971), the President must give assent to a bill passed under Article 368; there is no veto.
• State bills reserved by a Governor for the President's consideration (Article 201): the President may give assent, withhold it, or direct the Governor to return it to the state legislature.

Stages of an ordinary bill in Parliament: introduction (first reading), consideration (second reading, which may include referral to a committee), and passing (third reading) in each House. If the two Houses disagree on an ordinary bill, the President can call a joint sitting (Article 108), presided over by the Speaker. Joint sittings have been held only three times: for the Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961), the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill (1978) and the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (2002).

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Speaker certifies Money Bills and presides over the Lok Sabha and joint sittings.
• ✗The Prime Minister heads the government but does not give assent to bills.
• ✗The Vice-President is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.