**Zero Hour**

Zero Hour in the context of the Indian Parliament refers to a special period during the proceedings of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House) where Members of Parliament (MPs) can raise urgent matters and bring them to the attention of the government.

**Key Features of Zero Hour:**

1. **Duration:** Zero Hour is an hour-long time slot that starts immediately after the Question Hour (which generally takes place from 11 am to 12 noon) in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

2. **Importance:** It is an important feature of parliamentary democracy as it gives MPs an opportunity to raise issues of public concern that require immediate attention.

3. **Unofficial Nature:** Zero Hour is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. It is an informal practice that has evolved over the years.

4. **Speaker's Discretion:** The Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has the discretion to allow MPs to raise issues during Zero Hour. They decide which matters can be taken up for discussion based on their significance and urgency.

5. **Scope of Issues:** MPs can raise a variety of issues during Zero Hour, such as matters of national importance, urgent public interest, recent events, policies, or government actions. These could be related to social, economic, political, or administrative matters.

6. **Time Limit:** Since the duration of Zero Hour is limited to one hour, MPs are given a specific time limit, usually 2-3 minutes, to present their concerns or requests. This allows for multiple MPs to participate and raise different issues.

7. **Response from Government:** After an MP raises an issue during Zero Hour, the concerned Minister or representative from the government usually responds. They may provide immediate clarification, assurance, or promise to look into the matter and take necessary action.

8. **Significance:** Zero Hour serves as a platform for MPs to highlight pressing matters that might not have been addressed through other parliamentary mechanisms. It allows them to bring public attention to urgent issues and seek government intervention.

In conclusion, Zero Hour is an important part of the parliamentary proceedings in India, allowing MPs to raise urgent matters for immediate attention and action. It provides an avenue for the government to respond promptly to the concerns of the elected representatives and address pressing issues of public importance.

Zero hour denotes the period of time which starts at 12 noon immediately after the Question Hour in both Houses of Indian Parliament. During this hour members can raise matters of great importance without prior 10 day notice. However, the duration of the Zero Hour has varied over the years. It began as an informal practice in 1962. The idea behind zero hour is that there are certain matters of urgent public importance which can not wait for 10 days notice.