The Presiding Officers ensure the orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings, uphold the Rules of Procedure, protect the privileges of the House, and maintain the dignity and impartiality of Parliament.
- Lok Sabha: Speaker and Deputy Speaker
- Rajya Sabha: Chairman (Vice-President of India) and Deputy Chairman
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 93 | Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Article 94 | Vacation, resignation and removal of Speaker/Deputy Speaker |
| Article 95 | Powers of Deputy Speaker and other persons to perform the duties of the Speaker |
| Article 96 | Speaker/Deputy Speaker not to preside while a resolution for their removal is under consideration |
| Article 97 | Salaries and allowances of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker |
| Article 118 | Rules of Procedure of Parliament |
| Article 122 | Courts not to inquire into parliamentary proceedings |
Election
- Elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members.
- Election is held as soon as possible after the constitution of a new Lok Sabha.
- The President fixes the date for the election.
Tenure
The Speaker holds office:
- Until the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
- Continues in office until immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha.
- May resign by writing to the Deputy Speaker.
- May be removed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha after 14 days' notice.
Role of the Speaker
- Guardian of the dignity and privileges of the House.
- Principal spokesperson of the Lok Sabha.
- Presiding authority during House proceedings.
- Ensures orderly conduct of business.
- Acts as the constitutional link between the President and the Lok Sabha.
Powers and Functions
A. Procedural Powers
- Presides over sittings.
- Maintains order and discipline.
- Interprets the Rules of Procedure.
- Decides the admissibility of motions and resolutions.
- Adjourns or suspends the House when necessary.
B. Legislative Powers
- Certifies a Bill as a Money Bill (Article 110).
- Presides over a Joint Sitting of Parliament (Article 108).
- Decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill; the decision is final.
C. Administrative Powers
- Heads the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
- Constitutes and appoints Parliamentary Committees.
- Nominates Chairpersons to various committees.
D. Disciplinary Powers
- May suspend members for disorderly conduct.
- Expunge unparliamentary expressions.
- Protects parliamentary privileges.
E. Judicial Powers: Decides disqualification petitions under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law).
Independence and Impartiality
The Constitution safeguards the Speaker's independence through:
- Salary charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Removal only by an effective majority of the Lok Sabha.
- Continuation in office even after dissolution.
- Freedom from judicial interference in procedural matters (Article 122).
- Expected to function above party politics after election.
List of Speakers of the Lok Sabha (1952–Present)
| S. No. | Speaker | Term |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar | 1952–1956 |
| 2 | M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar | 1956–1962 |
| 3 | Sardar Hukam Singh | 1962–1967 |
| 4 | Neelam Sanjiva Reddy | 1967–1969 |
| 5 | Gurdial Singh Dhillon | 1969–1971 and 1971-1975 |
| 6 | Bali Ram Bhagat | 1976–1977 |
| 7 | K. S. Hegde | 1977–1980 |
| 8 | Balram Jakhar | 1980–1989 |
| 9 | Rabi Ray | 1989–1991 |
| 10 | Shivraj V. Patil | 1991–1996 |
| 11 | P. A. Sangma | 1996–1998 |
| 12 | G. M. C. Balayogi | 1998-99 and 1999–2002 |
| 13 | Manohar Joshi | 2002–2004 |
| 14 | Somnath Chatterjee | 2004–2009 |
| 15 | Meira Kumar | 2009–2014 |
| 16 | Sumitra Mahajan | 2014–2019 |
| 17 | Om Birla | 2019–2024 |
| 18 | Om Birla | 2024–Present |
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Constitutional Provision
- Articles 93–96
Election
- Elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members.
- The date of election is fixed by the Speaker.
Functions
- Presides over the House in the absence of the Speaker.
- Exercises all powers of the Speaker while presiding.
- Performs duties assigned by the Speaker.
Removal: Removed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha after 14 days' notice.
Note: When the office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is vacant, a member of the Panel of Chairpersons cannot preside over the House. During such a vacancy, the President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha to perform the duties of the Speaker until a new Speaker is elected.
Pro Tem Speaker (Temporary Speaker)
- Appointed by the President before the first sitting of a newly elected Lok Sabha.
- Usually the senior-most member of the House.
- Administers oath to newly elected members.
- Conducts the election of the Speaker.
- Ceases to hold office after the election of the Speaker.
Historical Background of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker
- The office originated under the Government of India Act, 1919.
- Initially known as the President and Deputy President of the Central Legislative Assembly.
- In 1921, the Governor-General of India appointed Sir Frederick Whyte as the first President (Speaker) and Sachchidananda Sinha as the first Deputy President (Deputy Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly.
- Vitthalbhai J. Patel (1925) became the first elected Indian Presiding Officer of the Central Legislative Assembly.
- After the Constitution came into force in 1950, these offices became the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Constitutional Provision
- Articles 89–92
Position
- The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- He is not a member of the Rajya Sabha.
- When the Vice-President acts as the President of India or discharges the functions of the President, he does not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha during that period.
Powers and Functions
Procedural Powers
- Presides over the proceedings.
- Maintains discipline and decorum.
- Interprets the Rules of Procedure.
Administrative Powers
- Supervises the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
- Nominates members to committees where applicable.
Disciplinary Powers
- May suspend members for disorderly conduct.
- Preserves the dignity of the House.
Casting Vote
- Has no ordinary vote.
- Exercises a casting vote only in case of a tie.
Speaker of Lok Sabha vs Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Voting Power)
| Basis | Speaker (Lok Sabha) | Chairman (Rajya Sabha) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Vote | No | No |
| Casting Vote | Yes, in case of equality of votes | Yes, in case of equality of votes |
| Membership of House | Member of Lok Sabha | Not a member of Rajya Sabha |
When a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President from the office of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is under consideration, he shall not preside over the proceedings of the House. However, he has the right to be present, speak, and participate in the proceedings, but he is not entitled to vote.
In contrast, when a resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration, the Speaker may participate in the proceedings and exercise an ordinary (first-instance) vote, but cannot exercise a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Note: The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not a member of the House, whereas the Speaker is elected from among the members of the Lok Sabha.
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Constitutional Provision
- Article 89(2)
Election: Elected by the Rajya Sabha from among its members.
unctions
- Presides over the House in the absence of the Chairman.
- Exercises all powers of the Chairman while presiding.
- Performs duties entrusted by the Chairman.
Removal: Removed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha after giving 14 days' notice.
