No Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker
Context: The Opposition has recently moved a resolution for the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging partisan conduct in the conduct of House proceedings.
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- The no‑confidence motion against the Speaker is distinct from a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers.
- The issue is significant for understanding the balance between parliamentary authority, neutrality of the Chair, and democratic oversight within India’s constitutional framework.
Constitutional and House Provisions
- Article 94 of the Constitution governs the vacation, resignation and removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- Under Article 94(c), the Speaker may be removed by passage of an effective majority, i.e., by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.
- Article 96 adds that the Speaker cannot preside while a resolution for their removal is under consideration, though they may participate and vote in the first instance.
- The detailed procedure is laid down in Rules 200–203 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, which regulate notice, admissibility, debate and voting.
Procedure for Removal
- Any Member may give a written notice of intention to move a resolution for removal, addressed to the Secretary‑General of Lok Sabha.
- A minimum 14‑day notice is mandatory before the motion can be taken up, to prevent sudden or frivolous attempts and to safeguard the office’s stability.
- On a day fixed (after 14 days), a motion for leave to move the resolution is taken up.
- At that stage, at least 50 Members must rise in their places to support the motion. If fewer than 50 do so, the motion is deemed to have “not the leave of the House” and lapses.
- If leave is granted, the resolution is scheduled for discussion on a day within 10 days from when leave was sought.
- Debate is strictly confined to the specific charges in the resolution; the motion text must be precise, clearly expressed, and free from arguments, imputations or defamatory language.
- After debate, the House votes. Removal succeeds only if a majority of all the then Members of the Lok Sabha (effective majority) support the resolution; otherwise, the motion fails, and the Speaker remains in office.
Precedents
- Since Independence, only three removal motions against Lok Sabha Speakers have reached the House, namely, G.V. Mavalankar (1954), Sardar Hukam Singh (1966), and Balram Jakhar (1987).
- None of these motions passed, thus no Speaker has ever been removed by this procedure so far.
India, Greece Declaration on Defence Cooperation
Context: Recently, India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation between the countries.
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- The declaration reaffirms the India–Greece Strategic Partnership, grounded in shared values of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect, and reflects growing convergence between the two countries.
- The partnership aligns India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with Greece’s defence modernisation under Agenda 2030, indicating a shared push toward self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystems.
Key Elements of the Declaration
- The declaration serves as a foundation for a five-year roadmap to expand collaboration in Defence manufacturing and technology cooperation, Industrial partnerships and capability development, and Military-to-military engagement.
- Both sides also exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026, outlining future training, exercises, and institutional coordination between their armed forces.
- Maritime cooperation received special emphasis, including the placement of a Greek liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to strengthen information sharing and maritime domain awareness.
- IFC-IOR is a regional maritime security hub established by the Government of India in December 2018. Hosted by the Indian Navy in Gurugram, it aims to enhance maritime safety and security through collaborative information sharing and advanced situational awareness.
Strategic Significance
- The initiative reinforces India–Greece strategic convergence based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom of navigation, and rule-based order.
- It expands India’s defence diplomacy footprint in the Mediterranean and Europe, while enabling Greece to engage more closely with the Indo-Pacific security architecture.
- By linking Aatmanirbhar Bharat with Greek reforms, the declaration positions both countries to reduce import dependence, support SMEs and start-ups, and explore triangular cooperation with European and Indo-Pacific partners.
India Designated Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026
Context: India has been designated “Country of the Year” at BIOFACH 2026, which was held from 10th to 13th February 2026 at Nuremberg, Germany.
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- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, organised India’s participation at BIOFACH 2026.
- India’s participation highlighted the country’s rich agricultural heritage and its strength as a major global supplier of organic products.
- After a span of 14 years, India’s organic farming sector is set to take centre stage once again at BIOFACH 2026.
About BIOFACH
- BIOFACH (Germany) is the world’s largest and most influential exhibition dedicated exclusively to organic products and sustainable agriculture.
- It serves as a global marketplace and policy dialogue platform connecting producers, exporters, retailers, certification bodies, and researchers.
- The event reflects global shifts toward sustainability, eco-friendly consumption, and traceable food systems.
About APEDA
- APEDA is a statutory body established under the APEDA Act, 1985, to promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.
- It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB).
- Key functions include: export promotion, quality certification, and market development, support to organic producers, FPOs, and value-added food exporters, and branding Indian agriculture in global markets.
- Through initiatives in organic certification, traceability, and international participation, APEDA plays a central role in enhancing India’s competitiveness in sustainable agri-exports.
World Radio Day
Context: Recently, World Radio Day was observed across the world on 13th February.
About World Radio Day
- The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011 and later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
- The day commemorates the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946, which began broadcasting soon after World War II and symbolised an early commitment to global communication and information sharing.
- Theme for World Radio Day 2026: “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice”.
Radio in India
- The first Community Radio Station was inaugurated on February 1, 2004, by Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Krishna Advani.
- Ram Singh Bouddh from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, known as the “Radio Man of India”, was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2025 for owning the world’s largest collection of 1,257 radios.
Significance of Radio
- Radio remains the most accessible and affordable mass medium, especially in remote, rural, and disaster-prone regions.
- Radio supports freedom of expression, democratic debate and cultural diversity, giving space to local languages, music, and community voices.
- During crises such as pandemics, conflicts, and natural disasters, radio provides reliable real-time information.