UPSC Mains 2023 GS2 Q5: model answer
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.
What the question wants
Role and powers of Speakers and Chairmen in state legislatures, concerns about impartiality, reforms.
How to structure it
Intro: Speaker as the 'conscience and guardian' of the House. Body: (1) Order: conduct of business, discipline, suspension, adjournment; (2) Impartiality: casting vote, recognition of opposition, anti-defection decisions (Tenth Schedule); (3) Best practices: committees, question hour, privileges, Money Bill certification; (4) Concerns: partisan decisions, delays in defection cases (Keisham Meghachandra 2020), fewer sittings. Conclusion: British convention of a non-partisan Speaker; time limits.
- 1(1) Order: conduct of business, discipline, suspension, adjournment
- 2(2) Impartiality: casting vote, recognition of opposition, anti-defection decisions (Tenth Schedule)
- 3(3) Best practices: committees, question hour, privileges, Money Bill certification
- 4(4) Concerns: partisan decisions, delays in defection cases (Keisham Meghachandra 2020), fewer sittings
Model answer
The Speaker of a Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of a Legislative Council (Articles 178 and 182) are the guardians of the House.
Maintaining order
- Regulate business, decide who speaks and enforce rules.
- Suspend unruly members or adjourn the House.
- Decide points of order without appeal.
Ensuring impartiality
- Vote only to break a tie.
- Protect the opposition's right to question and debate.
- Decide disqualification under the Tenth Schedule as a tribunal, subject to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan, 1992).
Promoting democratic practice
- Strengthen committees, Question Hour and privileges.
- Certify Money Bills.
- Promote training and digital legislatures (e-Vidhan).
Concerns: partisan rulings, years of delay on defection petitions, and few sitting days.
The Supreme Court in Keisham Meghachandra (2020) asked for decisions within three months and suggested an independent tribunal. A Speaker who leaves party politics, as in Britain, would build trust.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Art. 178 Tenth Schedule Kihoto Hollohan Keisham Meghachandra casting vote
Where most answers lose marks
- Only listing powers.
- No reforms.
Fresh examples from current affairs
New Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha building opens on the state’s 25th foundation day
Chhattisgarh is the main LWE-hit state, so the state's progress on security and development is a recurring Mains theme.
UPSC angle: Prelims: states formed in 2000.
1 Nov 2025Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-II-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.