MPs to Begin Digital Attendance from Monsoon Session

For the first time in the history of the Indian Parliament, Members of Parliament (MPs) will mark their attendance digitally beginning with the Monsoon Session, which starts on July 21 and runs until August 12. According to sources cited by India Today TV, the digital attendance system will initially be implemented in the Lok Sabha as a pilot project. The initiative is aimed at modernising parliamentary procedures and improving efficiency in recording attendance.

Currently, MPs mark their attendance manually in registers placed at the entrances of both Houses—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This manual process has often led to logistical issues, especially on busy days when long queues form at the entrance, sometimes resulting in delays in commencing or resuming parliamentary proceedings. Moreover, the existing system has loopholes, allowing members to simply sign in and leave without actually attending the session.

To address these concerns, the new digital attendance system will require Lok Sabha members to register their attendance using a tablet installed at their designated desk in the House. This step is intended to ensure accurate recording of members' presence and reduce instances of absenteeism being masked by false entries.

The digital system provides MPs with a convenient alternative to the manual method, eliminating the need to wait in line to sign the register at the entrance. It is expected to save time, prevent misuse, and enhance the credibility of attendance records. Importantly, for the upcoming Monsoon Session, members will have the option to mark attendance either manually or digitally, giving them time to adjust to the new system.

Officials familiar with the matter have noted that this move is being introduced on a trial basis. Feedback from the pilot phase will guide further enhancements to the system to make it simpler and more effective. If proven successful, the digital attendance mechanism could eventually replace the manual process entirely, becoming the standard method for attendance across both Houses of Parliament.

The transition to digital attendance aligns with the broader push for e-governance and digitalisation within India's democratic institutions. It is also part of the government's effort to bring more transparency and accountability into parliamentary functioning. The system's implementation during the Monsoon Session is viewed as a significant first step toward fully modernising legislative practices.

The initiative follows Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s announcement that the Monsoon Session would be held from July 21 to August 12. This session is expected to be a crucial one, potentially featuring key legislative business and political developments, making the accurate tracking of MPs' participation all the more essential.

In summary, the introduction of digital attendance for MPs in the upcoming Monsoon Session marks a significant technological and procedural upgrade for the Indian Parliament. Initially rolled out as a pilot in the Lok Sabha, it is expected to enhance transparency, improve attendance discipline, and eventually become a permanent feature of parliamentary operations if found effective and user-friendly.