The Pro Tem Speaker is a temporary presiding officer appointed to perform limited functions of the Legislative Assembly until the newly elected Assembly elects its regular Speaker.
The Pro Tem Speaker is especially important during the period between:
Constitution of a New Assembly
and:
Election of the Speaker
The office ensures that the newly elected Assembly can begin functioning even before its regular Speaker is elected.
The term Pro Tem means:
For the time being
Therefore:
Pro Tem Speaker = Speaker for the time being
The Pro Tem Speaker is a temporary arrangement and does not hold the office of the regular Speaker.
The Constitution does not contain a specific provision expressly creating the office of Pro Tem Speaker.
The arrangement is based on:
The constitutional provisions concerning the regular Speaker are mainly found in:
Article 178
The Pro Tem Speaker is appointed by the:
Governor
The Governor appoints a member of the newly elected Legislative Assembly to perform the duties of the Speaker temporarily.
Usually, an experienced member of the Assembly is selected.
After a general election, the new Assembly has members who have not yet formally taken their oath.
A regular Speaker has also not yet been elected.
Therefore, someone is required to:
The Pro Tem Speaker fills this temporary institutional gap.
The Pro Tem Speaker primarily performs three important functions:
The Pro Tem Speaker administers the oath or affirmation to newly elected members, subject to the constitutional framework.
The Pro Tem Speaker conducts the initial proceedings of the new Assembly.
The Pro Tem Speaker presides over the election of the regular Speaker.
Once the regular Speaker is elected, the Pro Tem Speaker's temporary role normally comes to an end.
Under:
Article 188
every member of the Legislative Assembly must make and subscribe an oath or affirmation before taking their seat.
The oath is made before:
The Pro Tem Speaker commonly performs this function on the Governor's authorisation.
Therefore:
Article 188 → Oath or affirmation of State Legislators
The relationship can be remembered as:
Governor
↓
Appoints Pro Tem Speaker
↓
Pro Tem Speaker
↓
Administers oath
↓
Conducts initial proceedings
↓
Presides over Speaker election
↓
Regular Speaker elected
↓
Pro Tem role ends
8. Pro Tem Speaker vs Regular Speaker
Feature Pro Tem Speaker Regular Speaker
Nature Temporary Regular constitutional office
Appointment/election Appointed by Governor Elected by Assembly
Main purpose Initial functioning of new Assembly Permanent presiding officer
Oath administration Initial members Not primary function
Conducts Speaker election Yes Already elected
Tenure Short-term Continues under Article 179
Constitutional provision No specific article expressly creating office Article 178
Role after regular Speaker elected Ends Continues
9. Pro Tem Speaker vs Deputy Speaker
These offices are different.
Pro Tem Speaker
Temporary
Used during the initial phase of a newly elected Assembly
Appointed by Governor
Primarily facilitates oath-taking and election of regular Speaker
Deputy Speaker
Regular constitutional office
Elected by the Assembly
Performs Speaker's functions when required
Provided under Article 178
Therefore:
Pro Tem Speaker ≠ Deputy Speaker
10. Pro Tem Speaker and Speaker's Election
The Pro Tem Speaker presides over the election of the:
Regular Speaker
This is one of the most important functions of the office.
The sequence is:
General Election
↓
New Assembly
↓
Governor appoints Pro Tem Speaker
↓
Members take oath
↓
Speaker election
↓
Regular Speaker assumes office
11. Does Pro Tem Speaker Have All Powers of Speaker?
The Pro Tem Speaker performs the limited functions necessary for the initial proceedings of the Assembly.
The office should not be treated as equivalent in every respect to the regular Speaker.
Its primary purpose is to ensure:
Continuity + Initial Functioning
until the regular Speaker is elected.
12. Duration of Office
The Pro Tem Speaker's tenure is:
Temporary
It normally ends after the newly elected Assembly elects its regular Speaker.
Therefore:
Pro Tem Speaker → Short transitional role
Regular Speaker → Continuing presiding authority
13. Selection of Pro Tem Speaker
An experienced member is generally preferred.
Factors that may be considered include:
Seniority
Legislative experience
Familiarity with Assembly procedure
Ability to conduct proceedings impartially
The choice is ultimately made through the constitutional appointment process.
14. Pro Tem Speaker and First Session
The Pro Tem Speaker plays an important role during the initial proceedings of the newly constituted Assembly.
The early proceedings generally involve:
Oath or affirmation of members
Election of Speaker
Other initial legislative formalities
The Pro Tem Speaker facilitates these activities.
15. Pro Tem Speaker and Oath — Important Distinction
The Constitution does not state that:
"The Pro Tem Speaker administers the oath."
Article 188 provides that members make and subscribe the oath or affirmation before:
Governor or a person appointed by him in that behalf.
The Pro Tem Speaker commonly administers the oath after being authorised by the Governor.
This distinction is important for UPSC.
16. Pro Tem Speaker and Legislative Council
The Pro Tem Speaker is associated with the:
Legislative Assembly
There is no equivalent Pro Tem Speaker for the Legislative Council.
The Council has:
Chairman
Deputy Chairman
The Legislative Council is a permanent House and does not undergo complete reconstitution after every Assembly election.
17. Pro Tem Speaker and Dissolution
The Pro Tem Speaker is appointed after the constitution of a:
New Legislative Assembly
The office is therefore associated with the transition following:
Dissolution / Completion of the Previous Assembly
The Pro Tem Speaker facilitates the beginning of proceedings of the new Assembly.
18. Pro Tem Speaker and Article 178
Article 178 provides for the regular:
Speaker and Deputy Speaker
The Pro Tem Speaker is different because the Constitution does not expressly establish a separate office called "Pro Tem Speaker."
The arrangement exists as a transitional parliamentary practice.
Therefore:
Article 178 → Regular Speaker
Pro Tem Speaker → Temporary transitional arrangement
19. Pro Tem Speaker and Article 188
Article 188 is particularly relevant because newly elected members must take an oath or affirmation before taking their seats.
The Pro Tem Speaker commonly performs this function when authorised by the Governor.
Therefore:
Article 188 → Oath of State Legislators
20. Importance of Pro Tem Speaker
The office ensures:
Continuity
The Assembly can begin functioning immediately after elections.
Oath-Taking
New members can formally assume their legislative roles.
Speaker Election
The regular Speaker can be elected in an orderly manner.
Institutional Stability
There is no gap between the constitution of the new Assembly and the establishment of its regular presiding authority.
21. UPSC Prelims Facts
Pro Tem means for the time being.
Pro Tem Speaker is a temporary presiding arrangement.
The Governor appoints the Pro Tem Speaker.
Usually an experienced member is selected.
Pro Tem Speaker is associated with the Legislative Assembly.
Pro Tem Speaker facilitates oath-taking of newly elected members.
Article 188 deals with oath or affirmation of State Legislators.
Members take their oath before the Governor or a person appointed by the Governor.
Pro Tem Speaker presides over the initial proceedings of the new Assembly.
Pro Tem Speaker presides over the election of the regular Speaker.
Regular Speaker is elected by the Legislative Assembly.
Article 178 deals with the regular Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The Constitution does not expressly create a separate office of Pro Tem Speaker.
Pro Tem Speaker's role is temporary.
Pro Tem Speaker normally ceases to function after election of the regular Speaker.
There is no equivalent Pro Tem Speaker for the Legislative Council.
22. UPSC Prelims Traps
Trap 1
"Pro Tem Speaker is elected by the Legislative Assembly."
False
The Pro Tem Speaker is appointed by the Governor.
Trap 2
"Pro Tem Speaker is a permanent presiding officer."
False
The office is temporary.
Trap 3
"Pro Tem Speaker is provided under Article 178."
False
Article 178 provides for the regular Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The Pro Tem Speaker is a transitional parliamentary arrangement.
Trap 4
"Pro Tem Speaker administers the oath independently under Article 188."
Incomplete
The oath is made before the Governor or a person appointed by the Governor for this purpose.
The Pro Tem Speaker commonly performs this function when authorised.
Trap 5
"Pro Tem Speaker and Deputy Speaker are the same."
False
The Pro Tem Speaker is temporary; the Deputy Speaker is a regular constitutional office.
Trap 6
"Pro Tem Speaker is appointed in the Legislative Council."
False
The office relates to the Legislative Assembly.
Trap 7
"Pro Tem Speaker remains in office for the entire term of the Assembly."
False
The role normally ends after the regular Speaker is elected.
Trap 8
"Pro Tem Speaker is responsible for conducting all legislative business of the Assembly."
False
The primary purpose is to facilitate the initial proceedings and election of the regular Speaker.
23. Easy Memory Trick
Pro Tem
Pro Tem
↓
For the Time Being
↓
Temporary Speaker
Sequence
Election
↓
New Assembly
↓
Governor
↓
Pro Tem Speaker
↓
Oath of Members
↓
Speaker Election
↓
Regular Speaker
Key Articles
178 → Speaker + Deputy Speaker
188 → Oath of State Legislators
24. Quick Revision
NEW LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
↓
Governor appoints
↓
Pro Tem Speaker
↓
Oath / Affirmation
of Members
↓
Initial Proceedings
↓
Election of
Regular Speaker
↓
Pro Tem Role Ends
25. Mains Perspective
The Pro Tem Speaker is a transitional institutional mechanism that ensures the newly elected Legislative Assembly can begin functioning without waiting for the election of its regular Speaker.
Although temporary, the office is important because it facilitates:
Constitutional oath-taking
Initial legislative proceedings
Election of the regular Speaker
Orderly transition between Assemblies
Its importance lies in ensuring:
Institutional Continuity During Political Transition
26. Conclusion
The Pro Tem Speaker is a temporary presiding arrangement used at the beginning of a newly constituted Legislative Assembly.
The key points are:
Governor → Appoints Pro Tem Speaker
Article 188 → Oath/Affirmation of Members
Pro Tem Speaker → Conducts initial proceedings
Pro Tem Speaker → Presides over Speaker election
Assembly → Elects Regular Speaker
Regular Speaker elected → Pro Tem role normally ends
Thus, the Pro Tem Speaker acts as a:
Bridge between the Newly Elected Assembly and its Regular Presiding Officer.