The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, elected by its members, who runs the House and decides what is a money bill.
What the paper can ask
- Elected by Lok Sabha members; contested elections took place in 1952, 1967, 1976 and 2024.
- Decides money bills, presides over joint sittings, has a casting vote in a tie; ranks sixth in the order of precedence.
- Removable by a resolution passed by a majority of all members; a Pro tem Speaker presides until the election.
- Om Birla has been Speaker since 19 June 2019; Balram Jakhar had the longest tenure (9 years 329 days). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask
The first Speaker, the first woman Speaker, the casting vote and money bill powers are the usual questions.
The full story
The Speaker is the presiding officer and highest authority of the Lok Sabha, the lower House of Parliament. Members elect the Speaker, usually at the first sitting after a general election; until then a Pro tem Speaker appointed by the President presides. The Speaker keeps order, decides whether a bill is a money bill, presides over joint sittings of both Houses, and votes only to break a tie.
Test yourself
1.Who was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha (15th Lok Sabha, 2009 to 2014)?
Correct. Meira Kumar served as Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014.
Not quite. Meira Kumar served as Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. It goes into your error book.
2.Who was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha (1952 to 1956)?
Correct. Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was Speaker from 15 May 1952 to 27 January 1956.
Not quite. Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was Speaker from 15 May 1952 to 27 January 1956. It goes into your error book.
3.Under Article 94, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha submits his resignation to
Correct. Article 94(b): the Speaker resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker and vice versa; removal needs a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House after 14 days' notice.
Not quite. Article 94(b): the Speaker resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker and vice versa; removal needs a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House after 14 days' notice. It goes into your error book.