Tamil Nadu got a new Pro-tem speaker on May 10, 2026. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA Karuppiah M.V. was sworn in as the Pro-tem Speaker by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. This came shortly after the swearing-in of C. Joseph Vijay as the Chief Minister of the State at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. The elections for the permanent Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held on May 12.

But who is a Pro-tem Speaker, and how and why are they appointed?

Who is a Pro-tem Speaker?

A Pro-tem (“for the time being”) Speaker is a temporary presiding officer appointed to fulfil specific constitutional and procedural requirements during the transition between two legislative assemblies. 

Why is a Pro-tem Speaker appointed?

They are appointed for two primary reasons: 

Oath-administration: To administer the oath of office to all newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) so that they can legally participate in the House proceedings. 

Conducting elections: To preside over the matters of the House until a permanent Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the members.

How is a Pro-tem Speaker appointed?

The senior-most member of the House (usually by number of terms served) is chosen for the role. This is not a legal rule, and the government may recommend other members, too.

The Governor of the State appoints the Pro-tem Speaker and administers the oath of office to them. The duration of the service is extremely short, and it ceases to exist the moment a permanent Speaker for the House is elected. 

Difference between the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly’s Pro-tem Speaker

The roles and responsibilities of the temporary Speaker remain the same in the State Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. They are both transitional office-holders who preside over oath administration to MLAs and the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.

The key difference is that the President of India administers the oath for the Pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha, while the oath for the Pro-tem Speaker of the Legislative Assemblies is administered by the Governor. 

Notable Pro-tem Speakers in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

• Karuppiah M.V: He was appointed on May 11, 2026 and presided over the first session of the 17th State Assembly. He administered the oath to CM Vijay and Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin..
• K. Pitchandi: Mr. Pitchandi, a DMK veteran, was appointed after the 2021 Assembly Elections, marking the DMK’s return to power after a decade. 
• S. Semmalai: Mr. Semmalai’s appointment in 2016 was significant as it marked a second consecutive term for J. Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu.