Consider the following statements : 1. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall vacate his/her office if he/she ceases to be a member of the Assembly. 2. Whenever the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall vacate his/her office immediately. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• Statement 1 is correct: under Article 179(a) the Speaker (or Deputy Speaker) of a Legislative Assembly vacates office if he ceases to be a member of the Assembly.
• Statement 2 is wrong: the proviso to Article 179 says that when the Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate office until immediately before the first meeting of the new Assembly — ensuring continuity.
• The same rules apply to the Lok Sabha Speaker under Article 94.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: the Speaker continues until the new Assembly meets.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct under Article 179.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.