The Speaker of the Lok Sabha or state assemblies embodies the authority and respect of the House they preside over. As per Article 93 (for Lok Sabha) and Article 178 (for state assemblies), these legislative bodies are required to promptly select two of their members to serve as Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The Speaker holds the position from the moment of election until just before the initial gathering of the Lok Sabha following the dissolution of the preceding one. They can be re-elected. Despite ceasing to be a member of the House after its dissolution, the Speaker retains the position.

The President/Governor schedules the Speaker's election in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, while it is the Speaker who determines the date for the Deputy Speaker's election.

• According to the publication "Practice and Procedure of Parliament" by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Speaker embodies the collective voice of the House, serving as its primary representative to the external world.
• The Speaker oversees House sessions and joint meetings of Parliament's two Houses. Their decision determines whether a Bill qualifies as a Money Bill, making it beyond the purview of the other House.
• The Deputy Speaker operates independently of the Speaker, not as a subordinate, both being elected from House members.
• While each House retains final authority in adopting rules to regulate its procedures, a review of Indian Parliament rules suggests significant powers granted to the Presiding Officers in both Houses.
• The Speaker safeguards the rights and privileges of the House, its Committees, and members. The Speaker has the sole authority to refer any privilege-related matters to the Committee of Privileges for examination and reporting. External communications of House decisions rely on the Speaker.
• The Speaker determines how House proceedings are published in form and manner. Committees operate under the Speaker's overall direction, established either by the Speaker or the House itself.
• Additionally, the Speaker holds various other responsibilities as the head of the Lok Sabha

The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of Parliament in the performance of its functions.

The Constitution neither sets a time limit nor specifies the process for these elections. It leaves it to the legislatures to decide how to hold these elections. In Lok Sabha and state legislatures, the President/Governor sets a date for the election of the Speaker, and it is the Speaker who decides the date for the election of the Deputy Speaker.

Other Points to Consider

Deputy Speaker

Speaker of State Legislature