CAPF AC 2021 Q70: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
- (a) The President of India
- (b) The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
- (c) The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha
- (d) The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer: (a) The President of India
Explanation
Who fixes the date for electing the Speaker
How to think: when a new Lok Sabha meets there is no Speaker yet.
So someone outside the House must fix the date.
That person is the President.
| Election | Date fixed by |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Lok Sabha | President of India |
| Deputy Speaker | Speaker |
| Chairman of the Rajya Sabha | Not elected by the House; the Vice-President holds the post |
| Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha | Chairman |
Other facts: the Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members under Article 93.
The Secretary-General sends the notice of the date to the members.
Before the election, a Speaker pro tem appointed by the President presides.
Answer: (a) The President of India.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The President fixes the date of election of the Speaker.
- (b) Incorrect. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs moves motions but does not fix the date.
- (c) Incorrect. The Secretary-General only notifies members of the date.
- (d) Incorrect. It is the other way round: the Speaker fixes the date for the Deputy Speaker's election.
Key point
Speaker's election date: President. Deputy Speaker's election date: Speaker. Article 93: the House chooses both. Speaker resigns to the Deputy Speaker; Speaker pro tem is appointed by the President.
Remember
President fixes the Speaker's date; Speaker fixes the Deputy Speaker's.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the two rules and saying the Deputy Speaker fixes the Speaker's election.
- Thinking the Secretary-General decides the date because he issues the notice.
- Forgetting that the Speaker continues till just before the new House first meets.
Exam tip
Educated guess: the three other options are all inside the House or the government. A new House without a presiding officer needs the head of the state to start the process.
Sources
- Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha — Rules 7 and 8 (election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker)
- Constitution of India — Articles 93 to 96