Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements: 1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President 2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election 3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents15
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C1, 2 and 3
- DNone
Show answer
Answer: (B) 3 only
Statement 1 is wrong — the Speaker does NOT hold office during the pleasure of the President.
The Speaker holds office as long as they are a member of Lok Sabha and can only be removed by a resolution of the House.
Statement 2 is wrong — the Speaker MUST be a member of Lok Sabha at the time of election (this 'six months' rule applies to the Prime Minister, not the Speaker).
Statement 3 is correct — the Speaker's resignation letter is addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
Source: Laxmikant.
The Speaker can only be removed by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha with absolute majority, making this one of the most secure constitutional positions.
UPSC tests confusion between rules for different offices - the six months membership rule applies to Prime Minister, not Speaker who must already be an MP.
The question checks understanding of the Speaker's independence from executive control, which is fundamental to parliamentary democracy's separation of powers.
Lok Sabha Speaker - Tenure & Removal
Indian Polity pleasure of the President holds the office
Lok Sabha Speaker: Tenure, Security & Removal Process
Speaker holds office as long as they remain Lok Sabha member — NOT at President's pleasure
Can only be removed by resolution of the House with special majority
Automatically vacates office when Lok Sabha dissolves or if they cease to be MP
Constitutional Security
The Speaker enjoys constitutional security to ensure impartial functioning. Unlike many other offices, the Speaker does NOT serve at the President's pleasure — this would compromise parliamentary independence.
Tenure Comparison
Office | Holds Office | Removal Process | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Lok Sabha Speaker | Till member of LS | LS resolution | High |
Rajya Sabha Chairman | Vice President's term | Constitutional process | Very High |
Union Minister | President's pleasure | PM's advice | Low |
Governor | President's pleasure | President's discretion | Medium |
When Speaker Vacates Office
When Lok Sabha dissolves (automatic vacation)
If they cease to be MP (disqualification, resignation, death)
If removed by resolution of Lok Sabha
If they resign (letter to Deputy Speaker)
Trap: Statement 1 says Speaker holds office at President's pleasure — this is WRONG. Speaker has constitutional security.
Confusion: Many offices (Ministers, Governors) serve at President's pleasure, but Speaker does NOT.
Memory aid: Speaker needs independence from executive — so NO presidential control over tenure.
Lok Sabha Speaker - Election & Eligibility
Indian Polity member of the House at the time of his/her election six months
Speaker Election: Membership Requirements & Common Confusions
Speaker MUST be Lok Sabha member at time of election — no exceptions
Six months rule applies to Prime Minister, NOT Speaker
Elected by Lok Sabha members in first session after general elections
Membership Requirement
The Speaker must be a sitting Lok Sabha member at the time of election. There is no grace period or exception — unlike the Prime Minister who gets six months to become an MP if not already one.
Membership Rules Comparison
Office | Must be MP at Election? | Grace Period if Not MP | Which House |
|---|---|---|---|
Lok Sabha Speaker | YES | None | Lok Sabha only |
Prime Minister | NO | 6 months | Either House |
Union Minister | NO | 6 months | Either House |
Rajya Sabha Chairman | N/A | N/A | Ex-officio (VP) |
Election Process
Elected in first meeting of newly constituted Lok Sabha
Simple majority of members present and voting
If contest occurs, secret ballot is held
Pro-tem Speaker conducts the election process
Major Trap: Statement 2 swaps Prime Minister's rule (6 months grace) with Speaker's rule (must be MP).
UPSC Pattern: Questions often mix up PM/Minister rules with Speaker/Deputy Speaker rules.
Memory trick: Speaker must speak for the House — so must BE from the House first.
Lok Sabha Speaker - Resignation Process
Indian Polity resignation Deputy Speaker addressed
Speaker Resignation: Procedure & Protocol
Speaker's resignation letter addressed to Deputy Speaker — not President/PM
Deputy Speaker accepts resignation and informs the House
Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker until new election held
Internal Process
Speaker resignation is an internal parliamentary matter. The letter goes to Deputy Speaker, not to any external authority like President or PM — this maintains parliamentary autonomy.
Resignation Protocols
Office | Resignation Letter To | Who Accepts | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
Lok Sabha Speaker | Deputy Speaker | Deputy Speaker | Internal parliamentary process |
Deputy Speaker | Speaker | Speaker | Maintains hierarchy |
Prime Minister | President | President | Constitutional head |
Union Minister | President | President (via PM) | Executive appointment |
Resignation Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Speaker decides to resign**
Personal/political decision`"]
s2["`**Writes resignation letter**
Addressed to Deputy Speaker`"]
s3["`**Deputy Speaker accepts**
Formal acceptance of resignation`"]
s4["`**House informed**
Deputy Speaker informs Lok Sabha`"]
s5["`**Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker**
Until new Speaker elected`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Correct Statement: Statement 3 is the ONLY correct one — resignation goes to Deputy Speaker.
Common mistake: Students think resignation goes to President (like Ministers) — it doesn't.
UPSC loves: Testing who reports to whom in parliamentary hierarchy.
Rajya Sabha Chairman & Deputy Chairman
Indian Polity
Rajya Sabha Presiding Officers: Chairman vs Deputy Chairman
Vice President is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Deputy Chairman elected by Rajya Sabha members from among themselves
Deputy Chairman resignation goes to Chairman (Vice President)
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha Officers
Aspect | Lok Sabha Speaker | Rajya Sabha Chairman | Deputy Chairman RS |
|---|---|---|---|
Who holds office | Elected MP | Vice President (ex-officio) | Elected RS member |
Election by | Lok Sabha members | Electoral College | Rajya Sabha members |
Tenure | Till LS member | VP's 5-year term | Till RS member |
Resignation to | Deputy Speaker | President | Chairman (VP) |
Removal by | LS resolution | Constitutional process | RS resolution |
Key Differences
Chairman (VP) presides over joint sessions of Parliament
Deputy Chairman has similar powers as Lok Sabha Speaker when presiding
Chairman cannot vote in Rajya Sabha (except casting vote in tie)
Deputy Chairman can vote as regular member when not presiding