MAINS Current Affairs includes Resolution to Remove the Lok Sabha Speaker: Constitutional Process & India’s New GDP Series: Implications for Economic Measurement

Polity

1. Resolution to Remove the Lok Sabha Speaker: Constitutional Process

Context: The Lok Sabha may debate a notice proposing the removal of the current Speaker, alleging partisan conduct in presiding over the House.

Historically, removal motions were moved against Speakers such as

• V. Mavlankar (1954),
• Hukam Singh (1966), and
• Balram Jakhar (1987).

However, none of these resolutions succeeded.

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

• The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for maintaining order and ensuring smooth conduct of parliamentary proceedings.

Election of the Speaker

• The Speaker is elected by members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
• The election takes place after a general election when the new House convenes for the first time.
• The office continues until the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, unless the Speaker resigns or is removed earlier.

This requirement is provided under Article 93 of the Constitution of India.

Removal of the Speaker

The procedure for removal is defined under Article 94 of the Constitution of India.

Key Conditions

• A resolution for removal must be passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.
• At least 14 days’ notice must be given before moving the resolution.

Procedure During Removal Motion

Presiding Officer

When the removal motion is under discussion:

• The Speaker cannot preside over the sitting.
• The proceedings are presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or another member of the House.

This continuity is ensured under Article 95 of the Constitution of India.

Rights of the Speaker During the Motion

The Speaker retains certain rights during the removal debate:

• May participate in the debate.
• Can defend his or her conduct before the House.
• May vote in the first instance.

However, in this situation the Speaker cannot exercise a casting vote.

Tenure of the Speaker

An important feature of the office is its continuity:

• Even after the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker remains in office until a new Speaker is elected by the next Lok Sabha.

This ensures stability in parliamentary functioning.

Powers and Functions of the Speaker

Presiding Powers: Presides over sessions of the Lok Sabha.

• Maintains discipline and order.
• Decides which members may speak and for how long.

Administrative Powers: Heads the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

• Nominates chairpersons of parliamentary committees.

Legislative Powers: Determines whether a bill qualifies as a Money Bill.

• Admits motions, resolutions, and questions.
• The definition of a Money Bill is given in Article 110 of the Constitution of India.
• The Speaker’s certification of a Money Bill is final.
• Disciplinary Powers: Can suspend or expel members for disorderly conduct.
• May adjourn or suspend the House in case of disorder or lack of quorum.
• Casting Vote: The Speaker normally does not vote initially.
• In case of a tie, the Speaker may exercise a casting vote.

Role Under the Anti-Defection Law: The Speaker decides cases of disqualification of MPs under the Tenth Schedule, which deals with party defections.

Significance of the Speaker’s Office

The Speaker is expected to function as a neutral and impartial authority, ensuring fairness in parliamentary proceedings. The office is central to:

• maintaining legislative discipline,
• protecting parliamentary privileges,
• safeguarding democratic debate.

Conclusion

Although the Constitution provides a mechanism to remove the Speaker, such resolutions are rare and have never succeeded in India’s parliamentary history.

The provision reflects the balance between accountability and the need to preserve the dignity and impartiality of the Speaker’s office.

Indian Economy

2. India’s New GDP Series: Implications for Economic Measurement

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation recently released revised estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under a new series.

Understanding Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• GDP refers to the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country’s territory during a specific period.
• It is the most commonly used indicator for assessing the size, growth, and overall performance of an economy.
• In India, GDP estimates are prepared by the National Accounts Statistics (NAS) under the MoSPI framework.

To ensure that economic data reflects structural changes in the economy, the government periodically revises:

• Base year for GDP calculations
• Methodology and statistical sources

The latest revision sets 2022–23 as the new base year, replacing the earlier benchmark.

Why GDP Base-Year Revisions Are Necessary

1. Structural Changes in the Economy: Economic activity evolves over time. The rapid expansion of services, digital industries, and modern sectors requires updated measurement frameworks.
2. Price Adjustments: Changing the base year helps remove inflation distortions and improves the accuracy of real GDP growth estimates.
3. Improved Data Sources

Modern administrative datasets now contribute to national accounts, including:

• GST data
• Corporate financial filings
• Enterprise and household surveys

These sources enhance statistical reliability.

4. Alignment with Global Standards

Revisions help ensure compatibility with the System of National Accounts used globally.

Major Findings from the New GDP Series

1. India’s Economic Size Revised Downward

• The updated methodology indicates that India’s economy is somewhat smaller than earlier estimates suggested.

Revised GDP Figures

• 2022–23 GDP
  • Earlier estimate: ₹269 lakh crore
  • Revised estimate: ₹261 lakh crore
• 2025–26 GDP (current year estimate)
  • Earlier estimate: ₹357 lakh crore
  • Revised estimate: ₹345 lakh crore

This revision changes the baseline used for economic comparisons and policy analysis.

2. Impact on Fiscal Indicators

Lower GDP estimates can influence key fiscal ratios such as:

• Debt-to-GDP ratio
• Fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio

A smaller denominator in these calculations may make fiscal indicators appear less favourable.

3. Decline in Estimated Per Capita Income

• Per capita income is derived by dividing GDP by the total population.
• Since GDP estimates have been revised downward, average income estimates have also declined.

Revised Income Estimates (2025–26)

• Earlier estimate: ₹2,51,393 annually
• Revised estimate: ₹2,43,180 annually

This equals roughly ₹20,265 per month per person.

4. Implications for the $5 Trillion Economy Goal

India’s economic size is often measured globally in US dollar terms.

Due to:

• the downward GDP revision, and
• depreciation of the rupee (around ₹88 per US dollar),

India’s GDP is now estimated at approximately $3.9 trillion, pushing the timeline for reaching the $5 trillion target further ahead.

Overall Significance

• Although revisions may alter headline numbers, they are a normal and necessary feature of modern economic accounting.
• By updating the base year and incorporating improved datasets, the new GDP series provides a more accurate representation of India’s evolving economic structure.

Reliable national statistics are essential for:

• effective economic policymaking
• credible international comparisons
• long-term development planning.

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