List of Lok Sabha Speakers from 1952 to 2024

The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, is presided over by the Speaker, a pivotal figure responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of proceedings and upholding the principles of democracy. Since India’s independence, the role of the Speaker has been occupied by various distinguished leaders, each contributing uniquely to the parliamentary democracy. This article delves into the history and the notable figures who have served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Who is the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the lower house of India’s Parliament. Elected by Lok Sabha members, the Speaker maintains order during debates, ensures parliamentary rules are followed, and represents the house in all its external affairs. The position is pivotal in facilitating the legislative process and upholding the dignity and independence of the house.

Appointment of Lok Sabha Speaker

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by its members through a simple majority, as mandated by Article 93 of the Indian Constitution. This article specifies that the Lok Sabha must elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members. The President of India oversees this process but does not appoint the Speaker directly. The candidate must be a current member of the Lok Sabha to be eligible for election.

List of Lok Sabha Speakers from 1952 to 2024

The Lok Sabha, India’s House of the People, has had numerous distinguished Speakers from 1952 to 2024, each playing a crucial role in shaping parliamentary proceedings and ensuring the smooth functioning of the legislative process.

Here is the complete list of Lok Sabha Speakers from 1952 to 2024:

S. No.	Name	From	To
1.	Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar	15 May 1952	27 Feb 1956
2.	M. A. Ayyangar	08 Mar 1956	10 May 1957
3.		11 May 1957	16 Apr 1962
4.	Sardar Hukam Singh	17 Apr 1962	16 Mar 1967
5.	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	17 Mar 1967	19 Jul 1969
6.	Gurdial Singh Dhillon	08 Aug 1969	19 Mar 1971
7.		22 Mar 1971	01 Dec 1975
8.	Bali Ram Bhagat	15 Jan 1976	25 Mar 1977
9.	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	26 Mar 1977	13 Jul 1977
10.	K.S. Hegde	21 Jul 1977	21 Jan 1980
11.	Balran Jakhar	22 Jan 1980	15 Jan 1985
12.	Rabi Ray	19 Dec 1989	09 Jul 1991
13.	Shivraj Patil	10 Jul 1991	22 May 1996
14.	P.A. Sangma	23 May 1996	23 Mar 1998
15.	G.M.C. Balayogi	24 Mar 1998	19 Oct 1999
16.		22 Oct 1999	03 Mar 2002
17.	Manohar Joshi	10 May 2002	02 Jun 2004
18.	Somnath Chatterjee	04 Jun 2004	30 May 2009
19.	Meira Kumar	30 May 2009	04 Jun 2014
20.	Sumitra Mahajan	06 Jun 2014	16 Jun 2019
21.	Om Birla	18 Jun 2019	Incumbent

Functions of Lok Sabha Speaker

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha occupies a crucial position as the presiding officer of the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The Indian Constitution outlines the Speaker’s extensive powers, underscoring the importance of this role. Key powers of the Lok Sabha Speaker include:

• Final Interpreter: The Speaker serves as the ultimate authority on interpreting the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and parliamentary precedents within the House.
• Maintaining Order: The Speaker ensures order and decorum during House sessions, presides over meetings, and can participate in proceedings without voting rights.
• Certifying Money Bills: The Speaker determines whether a bill qualifies as a money bill, and this decision is conclusive.
• Adjournment: The Speaker holds the authority to adjourn House proceedings or suspend meetings until quorum requirements are met.
• Setting the Agenda: The Speaker decides which topics and issues will be discussed during parliamentary sessions.
• Disqualification Powers: Under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, the Speaker can disqualify Members of Parliament on grounds of defection.
• Voting Authority: While the Speaker does not vote ordinarily, they possess the power to cast a deciding vote in case of a tie.
• Joint and Secret Sessions: The Speaker presides over joint sittings of both houses of Parliament and can convene a ‘secret sitting’ of the House.