Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a crucial position in the Indian Parliament, serving as the president officer and highest authority of the lower house. They ensure the smooth functioning of the House, maintaining order and decorum, and upholding parliamentary traditions and procedures. The Speaker is the first one to preside over the first meeting of Lok Sabha and serves for five years, changing every five years following a General election.
| Name | Birth-Death | Constituency | Tenure | Period | Background | Lok Sabha | Deputy Speaker | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar | 1888–1956 | Ahmedabad | 1952–1956 | 1st Lok Sabha | Freedom fighter and lawyer | 1st | M. A. Ayyangar | First Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| M. A. Ayyangar | 1891–1978 | Tirupati | 1956–1962 | 2nd Lok Sabha | Lawyer and Congress leader | 2nd, 3rd | Sardar Hukam Singh | Early institutional frameworks |
| Sardar Hukam Singh | 1895–1983 | Patiala | 1962–1967 | 3rd Lok Sabha | Freedom fighter and judge | 3rd, 4th | S. V. Krishnamoorthy Rao | Promoted parliamentary decorum |
| N. Sanjiva Reddy | 1913–1996 | Anantapur | 1967–1969 | 4th Lok Sabha | Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh | 4th | G. G. Swell | Later became President of India |
| Gurdial Singh Dhillon | 1915–1992 | Tarn Taran | 1969–1971, 1971–1975 | 5th Lok Sabha | Lawyer and politician | 5th | G. G. Swell | Served two non-consecutive terms |
| Bali Ram Bhagat | 1922–2011 | Arrah | 1976–1977 | 6th Lok Sabha | Freedom fighter and diplomat | 6th | Rabi Ray | Oversaw proceedings during the Emergency |
| Neelam Sanjiva Reddy | 1913–1996 | Anantapur | 1977 | 7th Lok Sabha | President of India | 7th | G. Lakshmanan | Shortest tenure as Speaker |
| K. S. Hegde | 1909–1990 | Bangalore South | 1977–1980 | 7th Lok Sabha | Judge and statesman | 7th | G. Lakshmanan | Crucial period post-Emergency |
| Balram Jakhar | 1923–2016 | Ferozepur | 1980–1989 | 8th, 9th Lok Sabha | Agriculturist and parliamentarian | 8th, 9th | Shivraj Patil | Longest-serving Speaker |
| Rabi Ray | 1926–2017 | Kendrapara | 1989–1991 | 9th Lok Sabha | Socialist leader and freedom fighter | 9th | Shivraj Patil | Emphasized transparency and accountability |
| Shivraj Patil | 1935–Present | Latur | 1991–1996 | 10th Lok Sabha | Lawyer and diplomat | 10th | Suraj Bhan | Introduced several parliamentary reforms |
| P. A. Sangma | 1947–2016 | Tura | 1996–1998 | 11th Lok Sabha | Lawyer and academic | 11th | Suraj Bhan | First Speaker from Northeast India |
| G. M. C. Balayogi | 1951–2002 | Amalapuram | 1998–2002 | 12th Lok Sabha | Advocate and politician | 12th | P. M. Sayeed | Focused on enhancing parliamentary democracy |
| Manohar Joshi | 1937–Present | Mumbai North Central | 2002–2004 | 13th Lok Sabha | Educator and Shiv Sena leader | 13th | P. M. Sayeed | Improved legislative procedures |
| Somnath Chatterjee | 1929–2018 | Bolpur | 2004–2009 | 14th Lok Sabha | Lawyer and CPI(M) leader | 14th | Charanjit Singh Atwal | Renowned for impartiality |
| Meira Kumar | 1945–Present | Sasaram | 2009–2014 | 15th Lok Sabha | Diplomat and Dalit rights advocate | 15th | Karia Munda | First woman Speaker of Lok Sabha |
| Sumitra Mahajan | 1943–Present | Indore | 2014–2019 | 16th Lok Sabha | Longtime BJP parliamentarian | 16th | M. Thambidurai | Enhanced decorum and efficiency in the House |
| Om Birla | 1962–Present | Kota | 2019–Present | 17th Lok Sabha | Politician with a focus on rural issues | 17th | N/A | Promoting e-Parliament and digital initiatives |
This table includes the necessary details of each Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1952 to 2024.
Conclusion
The role of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is pivotal in maintaining the decorum, order, and efficiency of the legislative process in India. From the tenure of the first Speaker, Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, in 1952, to the current Speaker, Om Birla, the office has seen a diverse range of leaders who brought their unique backgrounds and experiences to the position. These leaders have contributed significantly to the development of parliamentary practices and procedures.
Over the decades, the Speakers have come from varied backgrounds, including law, politics, agriculture, education, and activism. They have been instrumental in shaping the legislative framework, ensuring transparency, promoting parliamentary democracy, and upholding the constitution.
Notable achievements of these Speakers include Mavalankar’s foundational work, Reddy’s transition to the presidency, Dhillon’s long tenure, Kumar’s historic role as the first woman Speaker, and Birla’s promotion of digital initiatives. Each Speaker has left a lasting impact on the parliamentary system, reflecting the evolving nature of Indian democracy.
The evolution of the Speaker’s role highlights the adaptability and resilience of India’s parliamentary system, ensuring it remains robust and responsive to the needs of the nation.
