IAS Prelims 2025 — Polity & Governance | Question 4
Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question
Consider the following statements:
I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.
II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political party immediately.
III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days’ notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
✅ Correct Answer: (c) I and III only
🎯 Theme of the Question
Polity & Governance
Parliament of India
Speaker of Lok Sabha
Articles 94 & 95
Constitutional Offices & Removal Procedures
This question tests procedural constitutional provisions relating to the continuity, neutrality, and removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
🧠 Classroom Explanation
Let us examine each statement carefully with direct reference to constitutional articles.
🔹 Statement I ✔️
“On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.”
- This provision flows from the second proviso to Article 94 of the Constitution.
- Even after the Lok Sabha is dissolved:
- The Speaker continues in office
- Vacates office only immediately before the first sitting of the newly elected Lok Sabha
- This ensures institutional continuity and avoids a constitutional vacuum.
📌 Verdict: ✔️ Correct
🔹 Statement II ❌
“A Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political party immediately.”
- The Constitution does not mandate resignation from a political party upon election as Speaker.
- While neutrality is expected as a convention, it is not a constitutional requirement.
- The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law):
- Exempts the Speaker from disqualification if they voluntarily give up party membership after assuming office
- This is an enabling provision, not a compulsion
📌 Verdict: ❌ Not correct
🔹 Statement III ✔️
“The Speaker may be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, with at least fourteen days’ notice.”
- This procedure is laid down under Article 94(c).
- Key elements:
- Removal requires an effective majority (majority of total membership, excluding vacancies)
- A mandatory 14-day prior notice is required before moving the resolution
- This acts as a procedural safeguard against arbitrary removal.
📌 Verdict: ✔️ Correct
📊 Final Assessment
| Statement | Status |
|---|---|
| I | ✔️ Correct |
| II | ❌ Incorrect |
| III | ✔️ Correct |
👉 Correct answer: (c) I and III only
🧩 Prelims Trap Alerts
- ❌ “Speaker must resign party membership” — Convention, not Constitution
- ✔️ Speaker continues after dissolution — Explicit constitutional provision
- ✔️ Removal requires effective majority + 14 days’ notice
🧠 One-Line Memory Hooks
- “Speaker survives dissolution.”
- “Neutrality is expected, not enforced.”
- “Removal needs numbers and notice.”
🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
In Polity, UPSC punishes those who confuse constitutional text with parliamentary convention.