How long can the central government take to frame Rules?
Distilled Policy Brief
- Ordinarily, Rules, Regulations and bye‑laws must be framed within six months from the date on which the concerned Act came into force.
- If the six‑month period expires, the Ministry must seek an extension from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, stating the reason; such extensions may be granted for a maximum of three months at a time.
- An extension was granted for framing Rules under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 on account of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Rule‑making under an Act is time‑bound: six months to frame Rules, with a possible three‑month extension on justified grounds.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyse the procedural safeguards and delays in framing subordinate legislation, the role of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, and suggest reforms to ensure timely implementation of laws.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
According to the procedure governing subordinate legislation, how long can a Ministry seek an extension beyond the initial six‑month period for framing rules under an Act?
- [A] Six months
- [B] Three months
- [C] Twelve months
- [D] Nine months
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
The Manual of Parliamentary Procedures stipulates that after the initial six‑month period, a Ministry may seek an extension from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, which can be granted for a maximum of three months at a time. The other options exceed the statutory limit or are incorrect.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.