The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed from office by which of the following procedures under the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a key constitutional authority who presides over the proceedings of the House, maintains order and interprets rules. The Speaker's office is important for the functioning of parliamentary democracy, and the Constitution provides a specific method for removal to ensure both stability and accountability. This question asks you to identify the correct procedure by which the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed from office.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The office in question is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The options suggest removal by the President, by the Prime Minister, by both Houses together, or by the Lok Sabha alone.
• We know that the Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members.
• We assume the standard constitutional procedure without any extraordinary circumstances.

Concept / Approach:
Article 94 of the Constitution provides that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha may be removed from office by a resolution of the Lok Sabha, passed by a majority of all the then members of the House (an effective majority), after giving the Speaker an opportunity to be heard. The Rajya Sabha does not participate in this removal, and neither the President nor the Prime Minister has unilateral power to remove the Speaker. Since the Speaker derives authority from the Lok Sabha, it is appropriate that only that House can remove him or her by formal resolution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members.Step 2: Article 94 states that the Speaker may be removed from office by a resolution of the Lok Sabha, passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.Step 3: Understand that the Constitution does not provide for removal of the Speaker by a joint action of both Houses, nor by the President's unilateral order.Step 4: Recognise that the Prime Minister, though an important figure, cannot personally remove the Speaker; it must be done by the House through a vote.Step 5: Conclude that the correct procedure is removal by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha.

Verification / Alternative check:
Polity texts describe the removal of the Speaker as one of the few cases where an effective majority is required: more than 50 percent of the total membership of the Lok Sabha must support the resolution. They also stress that the Speaker is answerable to the House and may be removed only by it. The President's role is limited to accepting the resignation and addressing other formalities, not to initiating or deciding removal. No provision gives the Rajya Sabha or the Prime Minister direct power to remove the Speaker, confirming that the removal is solely by resolution of the Lok Sabha.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• The President acting alone: The President does not have constitutional authority to remove the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The Prime Minister: The Prime Minister may influence the House politically but cannot personally remove the Speaker; removal must be through a House resolution.
• A resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament: Removal is confined to the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha has no formal role in this process.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes generalise impeachment style procedures and imagine that both Houses must be involved in removing all high functionaries. They may also overestimate the formal powers of the President or Prime Minister. To avoid misunderstandings, remember that the Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha and derives legitimacy directly from that House, which alone has the power to remove him or her by an appropriately supported resolution.

Final Answer:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed from office by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha.