2023 · GS Paper 2 · Q5 · 10 marks
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.
In short
Presiding Officers of State legislatures keep order, decide defection and Money Bill questions neutrally, and build democratic practice through committees, Question Hour and digital reform. Ashish Shelar (2022) showed their disciplinary power is limited, striking down a one-year suspension of 12 Maharashtra MLAs.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 265 words
Disciplining the House
Under rules framed under Article 208, the Speaker suspends members, adjourns the House and expunges remarks, though a suspension cannot outlast the session.
Neutrality in the text
Article 189 allows only a casting vote, and Article 199(3) makes the Speaker's Money Bill certificate final.
Defection adjudicator
Kihoto Hollohan (1992) made the Speaker a tribunal under the Tenth Schedule, and Nabam Rebia (2016) barred a Speaker facing a removal notice from deciding such petitions.
Committee scrutiny
An Opposition member chairing the Public Accounts Committee lets the minority audit the executive, and Kerala's subject committees (since 1980) examine bills closely.
Voice for the minority
Admitting adjournment and calling-attention motions and protecting Question Hour keep ministers accountable.
Digital transparency
Himachal Pradesh's paperless Assembly (2014) now spreads through the National e-Vidhan Application.
Peer standards
The All India Presiding Officers' Conference, held since 1921, frames codes of conduct and spreads procedural innovations.
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This chapter in the exam
State Legislatures — Structure2 questions
Asked in 2 of 14 sittings since 2013
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.