In the event of a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, if both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha are absent, who among the following is authorized to preside over the session?

Explanation

Under Article 118(4) of the Constitution, a joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. In their absence, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha presides. If the Deputy Speaker is also absent, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha (who is the Vice-President of India) does not preside over joint sittings because he is not a member of either House of Parliament.