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Lok Sabha (House of the People) Indian Constitution


Lok Sabha:
1. Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of the adult suffrage.
2. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552 which is made up by-
(i) 530 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States, and
(ii) 20 members to represent the Union Territories, and
(iii) not not more than 2 members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President, if, he is of the opinion that the community is not adequately represented in the Lok Sabha.
3. The total elective membership is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.
4. The normal tenure of the Lok Sabha is 5 years but it may be dissolved earlier by the President.
5. The life of the Lok Sabha can be extended by the Parliament beyond the five year term, when a proclamation of emergency under Article 352 is in force.
6. But the Parliament cannot extend the normal life of the Lok Sabha for more than one year at a time (no limit on the number of times in the Constitution).
Eligibility of the members:
No person shall be eligible for election unless he-
1. is a citizen of India,
2. has completed the age of twenty five years,
3. is not holding any office of profit,
4. is not of unsound mind or insolvent, and
5. has registered as voter in any Parliamentary constituency.
Other Important Information on Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker:
1. Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha is the Speaker. The Speaker is elected in the very first meeting of the Lok Sabha following general elections.
2. Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected for a period of 5 years.
3. Speaker of the Lok Sabha is chosen from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
4. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha continues in office even after the dissolution of the Lok Sabha till a newly elected Lok Sabha meets.
5. The Salary of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
6. In absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker and in the absence of both a committee of six member selected by the Speaker will act as Speaker according to their seniority.
7. Speaker of the Lok Sabha tenders his resignation to the Deputy Speaker.
8. After giving a 14 days notice the majority of the total membership of the Lok Sabha can remove the Speaker.
9. Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a bill is a money bill or not.
10. Speaker of the Lok Sabha maintains discipline and decorum in the house and can punish a member for their unruly behaviour by suspending them.
11. Speaker of the Lok Sabha permits the moving of various kinds of motions and resolutions like the motion of no confidence, motion of adjournment, motion of censure, etc.
12. The date of election of Lok Sabha Speaker is fixed by the President.
13. The first meeting after the election when the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are selected by members of the Parliament is held under the senior most member of Parliament called Protem Speaker.

List of Lok Sabha Speakers and their term:

Name of the SpeakerFromTo
Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar15 May 195227 February 1956
M. A. Ayyangar8 March 195616 April 1962
Sardar Hukam Singh17 April 196216 March 1967
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy17 March 196719 July 1969
Gurdial Singh Dhillon8 August 19691 December 1975
Bali Ram Bhagat15 January 197625 March 1977
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy26 March 197713 July 1977
K. S. Hegde21 July 197721 January 1980
Balram Jakhar22 January 198018 December 1989
Rabi Ray19 December 19899 July 1991
Shivraj Patil10 July 199122 May 1996
P. A. Sangma23 May 199623 March 1998
G. M. C. Balayogi24 March 19983 March 2002
Manohar Joshi10 May 20022 June 2004
Somnath Chatterjee4 June 200430 May 2009
Meira Kumar30 May 20094 June 2014
Sumitra Mahajan16 June 2019Incumbent
Om Birla19 June 2019Incumbent


Objective Questions on Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker frequently asked in SSC, CDS, NDA, PSC, Railways and other competitive examinations-
1. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can resign from his office by addressing his resignation to?
(a) the Prime Minister
(b) the President
(c) the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) the Chief Justice of India

2. Who was the first Lok Sabha Speaker of India?
(a) M. A. Ayyangar
(b) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
(c) Sardar Hukam Singh
(d) G. V. Mavlankar

3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is?
(a) appointed by the President
(b) appointed by the Prime Minister
(c) elected by the members of the Lok Sabha
(d) appointed by the Chief Justice of India

4. What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha?
(a) 550
(b) 552
(c) 554
(d) 556

5. How many members are nominated by the President of India from the Anglo-Indian Community in the Lok Sabha?
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 6
(d) 8

6. Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected for a period of?
(a) 3 Years
(b) 4 Years
(c) 5 Years
(d) 6 Years

7. Who decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not?
(a) President of India
(b) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(c) Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) Prime Minister of India

8. In the absence of Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker who presides over the Lok Sabha?
(a) A member of the House of People appointed by the President
(b) A member chosen by Council of Ministers
(c) The senior most member of the Rajya Sabha
(d) The senior most member of the Lok Sabha

9. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha may be removed from his office, if the House of the People passes a resolution to this effect by?
(a) 2/3rd majority of members present and voting
(b) Simple majority of members present and voting
(c) Simple majority of members present and voting and absolute majority of all the then members of the House
(d) Absolute majority of all the then members of the House

10. In the case of a deadlock the joint sitting of the Parliament is called by the President and is presided over by the?
(a) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(b) Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
(c) Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) President of India



Answers - 1(c), 2(d), 3(c), 4(b), 5(a), 6(c), 7(b), 8(d), 9(d) and 10(a).


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