- Why in news
- On 11 March 2026 the Lok Sabha rejected, by voice vote, a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla after about 13 hours of debate. Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the discussion.
- What it is
- Article 94 lets the Lok Sabha Speaker be removed by a resolution of the House passed by a majority of all the then members. Fourteen days' notice is needed. Article 96 bars the Speaker from presiding while such a resolution is under consideration, though the Speaker may speak and take part in the debate.
- Outcome
- The Lok Sabha rejected the motion by voice vote after the discussion.
- Article 96
- When a resolution to remove the Speaker is under consideration, that officer does not preside over the House.
- Majority needed
- Removal needs a majority of all the then members of the House (effective majority), not a simple majority of those present.
- Notice period
- At least 14 days' notice must be given of the intention to move the resolution under Article 94.
- Vacation of office
- The Speaker vacates office on ceasing to be a member of the House, by resigning to the Deputy Speaker, or by removal under Article 94.
Don’t confuse with Article 94 vs Article 96: Article 94 deals with vacation, resignation and removal of the Speaker. Article 96 deals with the Speaker not presiding while his removal is considered.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Shows the Speaker's office is answerable to the House and its removal is possible only through a defined constitutional process.
- Debate stresses the Speaker's neutrality and the role of rules in running Parliament.
Problems
- Speaker's neutrality is questioned when the Speaker comes from a ruling party, which strains opposition trust.
- Vacant Deputy Speaker post weakens the House's checks, since the Deputy Speaker presides when the Speaker cannot.
Way forward
- Fill the Deputy Speaker's post and follow conventions of impartial chairing.
- Strengthen norms of fair time allocation and rule-based conduct in the House.
Put in your answer
Article 96: A constitutional safeguard: the Speaker does not preside during his own removal debate.
- 2020Mains GS2 · Q5Adopting 'once Speaker, always Speaker' for Speaker's objectivity and implications
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q3Speaker's neutrality under anti-defection regime; required institutional reforms
- 2012Prelims Q9Speaker's tenure, membership requirement, and resignation addressee
- 2024Prelims Q93Speaker's rights while own removal resolution is under consideration
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.A resolution to remove the Speaker of the Lok Sabha under Article 94 must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.
- 2.At least 14 days' notice must be given of the intention to move a resolution for removal of the Speaker.
- 3.Under Article 96, the Speaker cannot take part in the debate in the House on a resolution for his removal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.A resolution to remove the Lok Sabha Speaker under Article 94 must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.
True. Removal needs an effective majority: a majority of all the then members of the House.
2.A resolution to remove the Speaker can be moved only after at least 14 days' notice.
True. Article 94 proviso requires 14 days' notice.
3.The Speaker removal resolution requires only a simple majority of members present and voting.
False. It needs a majority of all the then members, not merely those present and voting.
4.Under Article 96, the Speaker does not preside over the House while a resolution for his removal is under consideration.
True. Article 96 bars the presiding officer from presiding during such a resolution.
5.The Speaker, when resigning, addresses the resignation letter to the President.
False. The Speaker resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker (Article 94).
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.