Parliament’s Winter Session Concludes: Vande Mataram Debate, VB-G RAM G Bill Key Highlights

The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on Friday after a 19 day schedule marked by legislative business, debates, and active participation from Members of both Houses. Held from December 1 to December 19 , the session saw the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha address key national issues while conducting routine parliamentary business such as Zero Hour and Question Hour. Both Houses were adjourned sine die at the conclusion of the session.

In the Lok Sabha , chaired by Speaker Om Birla , the House completed 15 sittings and recorded a productivity of around 111 per cent (functioned for about 111 hours vs planned 100 hours). Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who returned from a three nation visit, was present in the House during the session. In his valedictory address, Om Birla thanked members across party lines for their cooperation and smooth conduct of proceedings.

Parliament passed eight major Bills during the session. Key legislations included the VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025), which replaces MNREGA and guarantees 125 days of employment for rural households, the SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Bill to open India’s civil nuclear sector to private participation, and the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill allowing 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector. Other Bills passed were the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2025 .

The Lok Sabha also held debates on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and on Election Reforms , while Bills related to higher education regulation and the Market Securities Code were sent to committees for detailed scrutiny. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination.

The Rajya Sabha , presided over by Chairman CP Radhakrishnan , in his first session in the role, functioned for about 92 hours against planned 76 hours translating to a productivity of around 121 per cent . In his valedictory remarks, CP Radhakrishnan highlighted the quality of debates, including the discussion on Vande Mataram with participation from 82 Members and the debate on Election Reforms involving 57 Members . He also expressed concern over disruptions during the final sitting and urged Members to uphold parliamentary decorum.

The government also responded to a large number of written questions from Members during the session, with ministries providing detailed replies on a wide range of policy and administrative issues.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju described the session as productive and said the Bills passed would play an important role in improving lives and supporting India’s development goals.

Following the conclusion of the session, Speaker Om Birla hosted the customary tea party for Members of Parliament, which witnessed cordial exchanges across party lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those present. The informal gathering was seen as an effort to ease tensions after a charged session.