Functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha

One of the essential topics of the Indian Polity and UPSC Civil Services examination, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, its powers, and its functions, will be discussed in detail in this article.

Topics like these should be studied thoroughly during the UPSC exam preparation to score better. 

The topic holds great significance from the Prelims and Mains point of view as it is covered under the Parliament and State Legislatures.

Om Birla is the 17th and current speaker of the Lok Sabha. He’s a member of Parliament (MP) representing the Kota-Bundi constituency in Rajasthan.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

The speaker of Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha (Lower house) and is generally chosen in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General Elections. The serving term of a Speaker is 5 years and he/she is chosen among the sitting members of the ruling party.

Ideally, a speaker should be one who has sound knowledge of the Indian Constitution and the Lok Sabha functions, and he/she should be accepted among the ruling and opposition parties.

Also, read How to Prepare Indian Polity for UPSC Prelims to get detailed insights on the high-priority preparation topics.  

Watch a detailed video on the Functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha by M.Puri Sir, our DREAM TEAM faculty for Polity, IR, and Governance:

Powers and Functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha

While the members of Parliament represent their respective constituencies, the Speaker of Lok Sabha represents the full authority of the house itself. The speaker holds a crucial position in our parliamentary democracy.

Below-listed are the primary functions of the Speaker:

• The Speaker of Lok Sabha is the presiding officer and he/she conducts the business in house.
• Whenever a bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha,  it is the Speaker who decides whether the bill is a Money Bill or not.
• The Speaker maintains decorum and discipline in the house and can punish a member of Parliament for his/her unruly behaviour or even suspend them.
• The Speaker permits various Parliamentary procedures such as the moving of various motions (Motion of no confidence, motion of adjournment, motion of censure, and calling attention notice.)
• The agenda to be taken up for the discussion in the Lok Sabha is decided by the Speaker.
• Moreover, every speech and comment made by the members of the House are addressed to the Speaker.
• The Speaker also presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).

Here is one Polity question related to the Lok Sabha Speaker that was asked in the UPSC Mains 2020 examination: 

“Once a speaker, Always a speaker’! Do you think the practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India. 

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