The Deputy Speaker is the second-highest presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly.
The constitutional provisions relating to the Deputy Speaker are mainly contained in:
The Deputy Speaker ensures continuity of the Assembly's proceedings when the Speaker is:
Every Legislative Assembly chooses two members as:
Therefore:
Deputy Speaker → Elected by Legislative Assembly
The Deputy Speaker is not appointed by the Governor.
The Deputy Speaker is elected by:
Members of the Legislative Assembly
The Constitution does not prescribe that the Deputy Speaker must belong to the opposition.
However, parliamentary conventions often favour giving the position to a member from a party other than the ruling party.
The Deputy Speaker must be:
A member of the Legislative Assembly
There is no separate constitutional qualification specifically prescribed for becoming Deputy Speaker beyond being a member of the Assembly.
The person must therefore satisfy the constitutional and statutory requirements for membership of the Legislative Assembly.
The primary role of the Deputy Speaker is to:
Preside over the Legislative Assembly when required
The Deputy Speaker performs the functions of the Speaker when:
When acting as Speaker, the Deputy Speaker exercises:
All the powers of the Speaker
This includes powers relating to:
Therefore:
Deputy Speaker acting as Speaker = Speaker's powers
When the Deputy Speaker presides over the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker occupies the chair and conducts proceedings.
The Deputy Speaker can:
The Deputy Speaker is expected to maintain the same institutional impartiality while presiding.
When presiding over the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker generally does not vote in the first instance.
If there is an equality of votes, the Deputy Speaker can exercise a:
Casting Vote
Therefore:
Normal vote → No
Tie → Casting vote
This follows the constitutional principle applicable to the presiding officer.
If the office of Speaker is vacant, the:
Deputy Speaker performs the duties of Speaker
until a new Speaker assumes office.
This ensures that the Assembly does not remain without a presiding authority.
If the Speaker is present in office but is temporarily absent or unable to perform the functions of office:
Deputy Speaker presides
The Deputy Speaker therefore provides institutional continuity in the Assembly.
If both:
are vacant, the Governor may appoint a member of the Assembly to perform the duties of the Speaker.
This ensures that the Assembly can continue to function.
The Deputy Speaker normally continues in office:
As long as they remain a member of the Legislative Assembly
However, the Constitution specifically provides circumstances in which the office becomes vacant.
Under Article 179, the Deputy Speaker vacates office if:
The Deputy Speaker resigns by writing addressed to the:
Speaker
Therefore:
Speaker → Resigns to Deputy Speaker
Deputy Speaker → Resigns to Speaker
This is an important Prelims fact.
The Deputy Speaker can be removed by:
A resolution of the Legislative Assembly
The resolution requires:
Majority of all the then members of the Assembly
This is not merely a majority of members present and voting.
A resolution for removal requires:
14 days' notice
before it can be moved.
Therefore:
14 days → Removal Notice
Majority of all then members → Removal
Under Article 181:
The Deputy Speaker cannot preside over a sitting of the Assembly when a resolution for their own removal is under consideration.
Therefore:
Own removal motion → Cannot preside
This protects procedural fairness.
If a resolution for removal of the:
Speaker
is under consideration, the Speaker cannot preside.
The Deputy Speaker presides over the proceedings.
Thus:
Speaker's removal → Deputy Speaker presides
Similarly:
Deputy Speaker's removal → Deputy Speaker cannot preside
The Deputy Speaker's office is connected to the Legislative Assembly.
Unlike the Speaker, the Constitution does not provide the same special continuation of office after dissolution.
The Speaker continues until immediately before the first meeting of the new Assembly under Article 179.
The Deputy Speaker's position therefore differs from the Speaker in this respect.
| Feature | Speaker | Deputy Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Article | 178 | 178 |
| Elected by | Assembly | Assembly |
| Primary role | Presiding officer | Deputy presiding officer |
| Presides normally | Yes | When required |
| Resignation submitted to | Deputy Speaker | Speaker |
| Removal | Assembly resolution | Assembly resolution |
| Removal notice | 14 days | 14 days |
| Casting vote | Yes | Yes, when presiding |
| Removal proceedings | Cannot preside | Cannot preside over own removal |
| Anti-defection role | Applicable under Tenth Schedule | Applicable under Tenth Schedule when authorised |
| Deputy Speaker | Governor |
|---|---|
| Presiding officer of Assembly | Constitutional head of State |
| Elected by Assembly | Appointed by President |
| Conducts Assembly proceedings | Summons and prorogues Legislature |
| Maintains order | Can dissolve Assembly |
| Member of Assembly | Not a member of Legislature |
| Article 178 | Article 153 onwards |
The Deputy Speaker belongs to the:
Legislative Assembly
The corresponding presiding officers of the Legislative Council are:
Therefore:
Assembly → Speaker + Deputy Speaker
Council → Chairman + Deputy Chairman
The Deputy Speaker provides:
The Assembly can function when the Speaker is unavailable.
The Deputy Speaker assists in managing legislative proceedings.
The Deputy Speaker can provide an additional presiding authority independent of day-to-day political debate.
The office ensures that legislative business can continue smoothly.
Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is expected to act impartially while presiding over the House.
The Deputy Speaker should:
The credibility of the office depends on:
Procedural Neutrality
The Tenth Schedule provides for decisions on disqualification on grounds of defection by the:
Speaker
or:
Chairman
as applicable.
The Deputy Speaker does not ordinarily become the designated authority merely by virtue of being Deputy Speaker.
However, where the Deputy Speaker is presiding in circumstances provided by law or constitutional procedure, the relevant statutory and constitutional provisions must be applied carefully.
For UPSC, remember:
Assembly Anti-Defection → Speaker
Council Anti-Defection → Chairman
"Governor appoints the Deputy Speaker."
False
The Assembly elects the Deputy Speaker.
"Deputy Speaker is elected by the people."
False
The Deputy Speaker is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly.
"Deputy Speaker automatically becomes Speaker permanently."
False
The Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker's functions when constitutionally required.
"Deputy Speaker can preside over their own removal motion."
False
The Deputy Speaker cannot preside when a resolution for their own removal is under consideration.
"Deputy Speaker resigns to the Governor."
False
The Deputy Speaker resigns to the Speaker.
"Deputy Speaker can be removed by a simple majority of members present and voting."
False
Removal requires a majority of all the then members of the Assembly.
"Deputy Speaker has no casting vote."
False
When presiding, the Deputy Speaker can exercise a casting vote in case of equality.
"Deputy Speaker is the anti-defection authority under the Tenth Schedule."
False
The designated authority for Assembly cases is the Speaker.
178 → Speaker + Deputy Speaker
179 → Vacation, Resignation, Removal
180 → Deputy Speaker's Powers
181 → No Presiding During Removal
Resignation
Speaker → Deputy Speaker
Deputy Speaker → Speaker
Removal
14 Days Notice
+
Majority of All Then Members
Presiding
Speaker absent
↓
Deputy Speaker presides
27. Quick Revision
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
↓
Elects
┌────┴────┐
↓ ↓
Speaker Deputy Speaker
↓
Acts as Speaker when:
• Speaker absent
• Speaker unable
• Office vacant
↓
Exercises Speaker's
powers
28. Mains Perspective
The Deputy Speaker is an important institutional safeguard for the continuity of legislative proceedings.
Although the office is less visible than that of the Speaker, it ensures that:
Legislative business continues
Proceedings do not stop due to the Speaker's absence
Procedural authority remains available
The Assembly maintains institutional continuity
The effectiveness of the office depends on:
Impartiality + Procedural Competence + Institutional Independence
29. Reform Perspective
The effectiveness of the Deputy Speaker's office can be strengthened through:
Timely Election
The post should be filled promptly after constitution of the Assembly.
Opposition Representation
Parliamentary conventions favouring broader political representation can strengthen confidence in the office.
Procedural Independence
The Deputy Speaker should be able to perform duties without undue political pressure.
Clear Rules
Procedural responsibilities should be clearly defined in the Assembly's rules.
30. Conclusion
The Deputy Speaker is the principal alternate presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly.
The key provisions are:
Article 178 → Speaker + Deputy Speaker
Article 179 → Vacation, resignation and removal
Article 180 → Deputy Speaker's powers
Article 181 → Cannot preside during own removal proceedings
The easiest way to remember the role is:
Speaker unavailable → Deputy Speaker presides
The office ensures:
Continuity + Order + Procedural Functioning + Legislative Stability