UPSC Mains 2020 GS Paper 2 Q5: model answer
‘Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India?
What the question wants
Judge whether the British convention of a Speaker leaving party politics would help India, and its effect on Parliament's work.
How to structure it
Do you think ... What could be its implications: explain the convention, argue for and against, list implications.
- The British practice
- Why India needs it
- Problems
- Implications
How to think it through
In Britain the Speaker resigns from the party and is usually re-elected unopposed. In India the Speaker returns to the party and seeks a ticket. That one difference explains why the Speaker's rulings are doubted.
Model answer
In Britain the Speaker resigns from the party and, by convention, major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat. In India, Speakers have returned to party politics, and some to ministerial office.
Why India could adopt it
- The Speaker decides disqualification under the Tenth Schedule; neutrality matters.
- Keisham Meghachandra (2020) criticised delays by Speakers and suggested an independent tribunal.
- It would raise trust in rulings on Money Bills and suspensions.
Problems
- Indian constituencies vote on parties; an unopposed seat is unlikely.
- Parties may refuse to give up a seat for life.
- It may not change behaviour without other reforms.
Implications
- More consistent rulings and smoother business.
- Opposition more willing to cooperate.
- Would need a law or all-party agreement on uncontested seats.
- Must go with filling the Deputy Speaker's post, vacant since 2019.
Neutrality has to be built into the office, not left to the person. A time limit for deciding defection petitions, as the Court suggested, would test it fastest, and fairly for both sides of the House.
Draw: Two paths: UK Speaker (leaves party → re-elected unopposed) vs India (party ticket → back to politics).
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Westminster convention, Speaker, Tenth Schedule, Keisham Meghachandra 2020, Money Bill certification, Deputy Speaker vacancy, independent tribunal.
Where most answers lose marks
- Saying India already follows it. It does not; no law or convention exists.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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