Q.‘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?
How to approach: Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward.
Practice & AI Tools for This Question
Wrote an answer to this PYQ? Check it with Vision AI in 3 mins or generate custom mind maps.
Matched Topper Handwritten Answer Copies (8)
Open in 3D PYQ RealmSyllabus Point
- Parliament and State Legislatures — Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.
Approach
- Introduction (30-40 words): Define the role of the Speaker in India and introduce the concept of "Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker."
- Body (80-90 words): Discuss impartiality, implications, challenges, and comparative perspectives.
- Conclusion (20 words): Provide a balanced conclusion.
Model Answer
Introduction
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a pivotal office in India's parliamentary democracy, responsible for regulatory, administrative, and judicial functions. However, the office is often marred by allegations of partisan bias due to the Speaker's ongoing political affiliations.
Body Analysis
Features of the British Speaker ("Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker")
- Strict Neutrality: The position carries immense prestige and strict neutrality. By convention, once elected, the Speaker resigns from their political party to ensure complete impartiality.
- Security of Tenure: Their electoral constituency is left uncontested by major political parties in subsequent elections, ensuring security of tenure.
- Disciplinary Authority: The Speaker only votes in the event of a tie (casting vote) and holds ultimate disciplinary authority.
Implications of Adopting this System in India
- Enhanced Impartiality: It would insulate the office from party politics, fostering trust among opposition members and ensuring fair parliamentary debates.
- Security of Tenure: It would allow the Speaker to act independently without fear of political repercussions or the need to appease the ruling party.
- Challenges:
- Impact on Representation: An uncontested seat might undermine representative democracy for the voters of that constituency.
- Monopoly of Office: Holding the post for life or extended periods might block fresh perspectives and alternative leadership.
- Accountability: High autonomy requires robust accountability mechanisms to prevent the misuse of power.
Pathways for Reform in India
- The Irish Model: In Ireland, the Speaker is automatically re-elected but must relinquish active political ambitions.
- Post-Retirement Restrictions: To prevent conflict of interest, Speakers could be barred from holding future political offices (except the Presidency) while being compensated with a lifelong pension.
- Independent Tribunals: Disqualification decisions under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) should be shifted from the Speaker to an independent tribunal to avoid political bias.
- Discretionary Limits: Clear timelines should be established for the Speaker to decide on matters of resignation, disqualification, or floor tests.
Conclusion
Adopting the British convention of 'Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker' would significantly bolster the neutrality of the office. By securing the Speaker's tenure, they can act as a true custodian of the House rather than a party loyalist.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2020 (Question 5) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR → Indian Constitution & Polity |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 15 Marks • 250 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 11–12 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Analytical / Multi-Dimensional: Address all explicit sub-parts of the question with balanced arguments, factual illustrations, and a solution-oriented conclusion. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
Related & Repeated UPSC Mains PYQs (2)
Past UPSC Mains questions connected to this node in the 3D PYQ Realm knowledge graph.
Individual Parliamentarian’s role as the national law maker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.
More UPSC Mains PYQs on Polity & Constitution (GS2)
Build comprehensive topical mastery across Indian Constitution & Polity by practicing these related UPSC Mains questions.
Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to "one nation - one election" principle.
Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats and Arbitration Tribunals. Whether they entertain civil as well as criminal cases?
“The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy.” Elucidate.
“The duty of the Comptroller and Auditor General is not merely to ensure the legality of expenditure but also its propriety.” Comment
Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of child in the womb to establish its paternity.
What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2020 GS2 (Polity & Constitution)
How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2020 GS Paper II question on Polity & Constitution?
This 2020 GS Paper II question carries 15 marks with a 250-word limit and uses the "Analytical / Multi-Dimensional" directive. Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words) and aim to finish within 11–12 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2020 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR under the syllabus module "Indian Constitution & Polity". You can explore all repeated questions from Polity & Constitution in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Polity & Constitution PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
How can I get my handwritten answer to this 2020 GS2 PYQ evaluated by AI?
Write your answer on standard UPSC margin sheets, scan it as a PDF or image, and click "Evaluate My Answer (AI)" on this page to open Acme AI's Vision Transformer evaluator (/upsc-answer-evaluation?subject=GS2). It evaluates your structure, directive alignment, diagrams/maps, and handwriting presentation in under 3 minutes with 99% human-examiner accuracy (20 free credits on signup).
Can I generate a custom mind map or Hindi model answer for this question?
Yes. Click "Generate Answer & Mind Map" on this page to open Acme AI's Answer Generator (/gen-ans) with this exact 2020 GS2 question pre-filled. You can generate custom topper-grade answers with embedded Mermaid flowcharts and mind maps in either English or Hindi.
AI-Powered Mains Mastery Suite
Turn Passive PYQ Reading into Active Answer Writing
Evaluate your handwritten UPSC Mains answers in 3 minutes with Vision AI or generate custom model answers with mind maps.
AI UPSC Mains Answer Evaluation
Practice writing any PYQ on paper and upload your handwritten scan (PDF or image) for instant, rubric-aligned UPSC examiner feedback.
- Direct Pixel Vision AI (Not Flat OCR): Evaluates your handwritten diagrams, maps, flowcharts, and spatial presentation
- 99% Human-Examiner Accuracy: Pinpoints missing dimensions, directive-word drift, and value-addition opportunities
- All Papers & 18 Optionals: Covers GS 1–4, Essay, Anthropology, PSIR, Sociology, Geography, History & more in English & Hindi
- Annotated Copy + Topper Benchmark: Visual margin ticks, remarks, and matched topper copy comparisons
AI UPSC Answer Generator & Mind Maps
Generate topper-grade model answers for any UPSC PYQ, current affairs editorial, or mock question—complete with visual mind maps and flowcharts.
- Embedded Mind Maps & Flowcharts: Automatically builds visual diagrams you can replicate in the exam hall for +1.5 extra marks
- Strict Directive & Word Discipline: Calibrated for 150-word (10M), 250-word (15M), and 1000-word Essay structures
- Committee, SC & Data Citations: Enriches body paragraphs with 2nd ARC, NITI Aayog, Constitutional Articles, and SDG hooks
- Auto-Matched Topper Copies & PYQs: Every generated answer links to similar past UPSC questions and ranker scripts
Join the Acme Mains Program (AMP 2027 — 45 Tests) or 1-on-1 Personal Mentorship with Avinash Sir.