UPSC 2024: With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements: 1. The President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers to send a message to either House. 2. Prorogation of a House is normally done after it is adjourned sine die, but there is no bar on the President proroguing the House while it is in session. 3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India, except in extraordinary circumstances, on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Under Article 74 the President must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers in the exercise of all functions—including sending messages to Parliament—so Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 85(2)(a) empowers the President to prorogue either House at any time, and parliamentary practice recognises that this may be done even while the House is sitting, although it is usually after adjournment sine-die, making Statement 2 correct ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_74_of_the_Constitution_of_India?utm_source=openai)). Article 85(2)(b) authorises the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, a power conventionally exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers except in exceptional constitutional situations, so Statement 3 is correct ([rulesera.com](https://rulesera.com/constitution/part-v/parliament/general/article85.php?utm_source=openai)). Hence only Statements 2 and 3 are correct.