UPSC CSE Mains 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.

Theme

T95 Presiding officers & anti-defection

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask whether the Speaker is vulnerable to partisanship under anti-defection, 'once a Speaker always a Speaker', and presiding officers' role in order and impartiality.

What to cover

Speaker's powers; Tenth Schedule decisions
Kihoto Hollohan; Keisham Meghachandra (time-bound decisions)
UK convention of neutrality
Reforms: independent tribunal for disqualification

Writing the answer

Compare with UK; suggest reforms

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

More PYQs from this theme

GS22026
Examine whether the constitutional office of the Lok Sabha Speaker has become vulnerable to partisan politics under the current anti-defection regime. What institutional changes are required to ensure the neutrality of the Lok Sabha Speaker in managing a polarised House (150 words)?
GS22020
‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this 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?

All 20 GS2 2023 questions · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations · Report a typo