Home The Constitution Part VI Article 180

Art. 180 Part VI: The States

Power of the Deputy Speaker or Other Person to Perform the Duties of the Office of, or to Act as, Speaker

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) While the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker or, if the office of Deputy Speaker is also vacant, by such member of the Assembly as the Governor may appoint for the purpose. (2) During the absence of the Speaker from any sitting of the Assembly the Deputy Speaker or, if he is also absent, such person as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the Assembly, or, if no such person is present, such other person as may be determined by the Assembly, shall act as Speaker.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

The state-level mirror of Article 95 — the same clear succession chain for the State Assembly's presiding officer, ensuring continuous coverage whether through the Deputy Speaker or a Governor-appointed substitute if needed.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This ensures the State Assembly always has a functioning presiding officer for every sitting, mirroring the reliable continuity mechanism the Lok Sabha has.

Read alongside this one

Art. 178 — The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 180

Who decides who presides if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent from a specific sitting?

The Assembly's own rules of procedure determine this, or failing that, the Assembly itself decides — the same approach as the Lok Sabha's equivalent provision.

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The text above reproduces Article 180 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.