Lok Sabha Secretariat Bans Smart Devices Ahead of Monsoon Session

The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a security advisory to Members of Parliament ahead of the Monsoon Session, which runs from July 20 to August 13, 2026. The directive prohibits lawmakers from carrying firearms, lathis, or swords, and forbids demonstrations, dharnas, and the use of placards within the Parliament House complex. The Secretariat specifically banned smart devices, including smartwatches, smart spectacles, and pen cameras, citing concerns that such technology could compromise security, privacy, and parliamentary privileges.

The upcoming session is expected to be contentious as the government prepares to introduce several pieces of legislation. Key proposals include the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the Income-tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. Other government priorities include legislation on delimitation and the removal of jailed officials.

Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, plan to challenge the government over the NEET-UG paper leak, oil prices, the Indo-US trade deal, the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case, and E20 fuel. In response, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagdambika Pal urged the opposition to avoid disrupting proceedings, characterizing the Lok Sabha as a forum for public interest decision-making rather than disruption.