Part of: Uttarakhand Polity Notes · See also: Uttarakhand GK
Quick answer
Ritu Khanduri Bhushan has been the Speaker of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha since 26 March 2022. Moreover, she is the State’s first woman Speaker. Also, the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha speaker list begins with Prakash Pant of the Interim Assembly. Later, Yashpal Arya became the first elected Speaker in 2002. Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker’s post remains vacant in the Fifth Assembly (as on 29 October 2026).
Key facts at a glance
- Type: unicameral; Governor plus Vidhan Sabha (Article 168)
- Strength: 70 elected members (Article 170)
- Buildings: Dehradun and Bhararisain (Gairsain)
- Speaker: Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, since 26 March 2022
- First Deputy Speaker: Vijaya Barthwal (2008–2009)
- Deputy Speaker now: vacant in the Fifth Assembly (October 2026)
- Leader of Opposition: Yashpal Arya, since 10 April 2022
- Nominated seat: one Anglo-Indian member, 2002–2020
Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha speaker list
First, this Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha speaker list covers every Speaker from the Interim Assembly onwards. Also, it is correct as on 29 October 2026.
| Speaker | Assembly | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Prakash Pant | Interim | 2001–2002 |
| Yashpal Arya | First (2002) | 2002–2007 |
| Harbans Kapoor | Second (2007) | 2007–2012 |
| Govind Singh Kunjwal | Third (2012) | 2012–2017 |
| Prem Chand Aggarwal | Fourth (2017) | 2017–2022 |
| Ritu Khanduri Bhushan | Fifth (2022) | From 26 Mar 2022 – present |
Notably, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan represents Kotdwar. After the 2022 election, she became the first woman Speaker of the State.
Deputy Speakers and pro-tem Speakers
Meanwhile, the Governor appoints a pro-tem Speaker for each new House. The pro-tem Speaker also gives the oath to members and conducts the Speaker’s election.
| Assembly | Deputy Speaker | Pro-tem Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Interim (2000–02) | — | Muhammad Muhiuddin (spelling not officially confirmed) |
| First (2002) | — | Harbans Kapoor |
| Second (2007) | Vijaya Barthwal (20 Dec 2008 – 27 Jun 2009) | Harbans Kapoor |
| Third (2012) | Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri (2012–2017) | Shailendra Mohan Singhal |
| Fourth (2017) | Raghunath Singh Chauhan (2017–2022) | Harbans Kapoor |
| Fifth (2022) | Not elected (as on 29 Oct 2026) | Banshidhar Bhagat |
Thus, Vijaya Barthwal was the first Deputy Speaker. Similarly, Harbans Kapoor was pro-tem Speaker three times, in 2002, 2007 and 2017. Besides, he was Speaker from 2007 to 2012.
Structure of the Vidhan Sabha
First, Uttarakhand has a unicameral legislature. Therefore, the State has no Legislative Council. Also, the Assembly has two buildings, at Dehradun and at Bhararisain in Gairsain.
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 168 | Legislature: Governor plus Vidhan Sabha |
| 170 | Composition; 70 elected members |
| 173 | Qualifications: citizen, 25 years, voter in the State |
| 174 | Governor summons, prorogues and dissolves the House |
| 178 | Speaker and Deputy Speaker chosen by members |
| 179 | Removal by a majority of all the then members, after 14 days’ notice |
| 191 | Disqualifications |
In addition, the Speaker decides anti-defection cases under the Tenth Schedule. For seats and results, also see the Vidhan Sabha seats list.
The nominated Anglo-Indian member
From 2002 to 2020, the House also had one nominated Anglo-Indian member. Notably, Russell Valentine Gardner became the first nominated member in 2002. However, the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 ended this seat from 25 January 2020.
Interim Assembly (2000–2002)
The State began with an Interim Assembly of 30 members. Thus, 22 MLAs and 8 MLCs came from the UP Legislature.
- Party strength: BJP 23, SP 3, BSP 2 and INC 2.
- Speaker: Prakash Pant, elected on 12 March 2001.
- Chief Ministers: Nityanand Swami took oath on 9 November 2000; Koshyari followed from 30 October 2001.
For the full timeline of CMs, also read the list of Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand.
Leaders of Opposition
Also, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) gets Cabinet Minister status. Moreover, Yashpal Arya is the LoP as on 29 October 2026.
| Leader | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Bhagat Singh Koshyari | 13 Mar 2002 – 17 Dec 2003 |
| Matbar Singh Kandari | 17 Dec 2003 – 2 Mar 2007 |
| Dr Harak Singh Rawat | 13 Mar 2007 – 9 Mar 2012 |
| Ajay Bhatt | 19 May 2012 – 14 Mar 2017 |
| Dr Indira Hridayesh (first woman LoP) | 27 Mar 2017 – 13 Jun 2021 |
| Pritam Singh | 23 Jul 2021 – 11 Mar 2022 |
| Yashpal Arya | 10 Apr 2022 – present |
Sadly, Dr Indira Hridayesh died in office. Similarly, Yashpal Arya has held two top posts: first elected Speaker and now LoP.
Parties in the Vidhan Sabha
Also, the BJP and the INC have alternated in power since 2002. However, in 2022 the BJP became the first party to win a second consecutive term.
- Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD): founded in 1979 at Mussoorie; it led the statehood movement. Also, its best result was 4 seats in 2002.
- BSP: has influence in the plains of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.
- Elections: the ECI runs Assembly polls through the Chief Electoral Officer. In contrast, the State Election Commission runs panchayat and urban body polls.
For more records, also see the firsts of Uttarakhand polity.
Exam corner: common traps
- First Speaker: Prakash Pant led the Interim Assembly, but Yashpal Arya was the first elected Speaker.
- First Deputy Speaker: Vijaya Barthwal came only in 2008, not in the First Assembly.
- Speaker and pro-tem: Harbans Kapoor alone held both roles, and pro-tem three times.
- Bicameral trap: the House has 70 members, but it is unicameral, with no Legislative Council.
- Women Speakers: only one so far, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan.
What UKPSC has asked
- Who was the Speaker of the Interim Assembly after the formation of Uttarakhand? Prakash Pant (UKPSC Combined Lower Sub. (Pre), 2025)
- Who was the Speaker of the first elected Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand? Yashpal Arya (UKPSC AFO (Pre), 2015)
- Who was the first Deputy Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly? Vijaya Barthwal (UKPSC High Court ARO Screening, 2026)
- Who performed the roles of Speaker and pro-tem Speaker more than once? Harbans Kapoor (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2025)
- How many women have served as Speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly till now? One (UKPSC DEO Exam, 2023)
- In the Uttaranchal Assembly, one member came by nomination from which community? Anglo-Indian community (UKPSC (Pre), 2004-05)
Revise in one page
Unicameral (Article 168); 70 elected members (Article 170); buildings at Dehradun and Bhararisain. The 104th Amendment ended the nominated Anglo-Indian seat (2002–2020) from 25 January 2020. Speakers: Prakash Pant (Interim), Yashpal Arya (2002), Harbans Kapoor (2007), Govind Singh Kunjwal (2012) and Prem Chand Aggarwal (2017). Since 26 March 2022, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan has also been the first woman Speaker. First Deputy Speaker: Vijaya Barthwal (2008–09); the post is vacant (October 2026). Harbans Kapoor was pro-tem thrice. Interim Assembly: 30 members (22 MLAs plus 8 MLCs). LoPs: Koshyari first; Indira Hridayesh first woman; Yashpal Arya since 10 April 2022.
In the news
- 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference in Lucknow — a national meeting of presiding officers.
- Devbhoomi Parivar Bill 2026 on a family ID — provides a Family ID for each family to link welfare schemes.
Practise Uttarakhand Polity
- Daily 25 free practice questions — UKPSC previous-year questions, every morning.
- UKPSC previous year papers — bilingual PDFs of Upper PCS, Lower PCS, RO/ARO and more.
- UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.
Preparing for UKPSC Upper PCS, Lower PCS or RO/ARO? Join SAMVEG IAS, Dehradun. For batch details, call or WhatsApp +91 84759 04943.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ritu Khanduri Bhushan is the Speaker of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, since 26 March 2022, as on 29 October 2026. She is the first woman Speaker of the State.
Prakash Pant was the Speaker of the Interim Assembly from 2001 to 2002. Yashpal Arya was the first Speaker of the first elected Assembly, from 2002 to 2007.
Vijaya Barthwal was the first Deputy Speaker, from 20 December 2008 to 27 June 2009. The post is vacant in the Fifth Assembly as on 29 October 2026.
The Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha has 70 elected members. It is unicameral, so the State has no Legislative Council.
Ritu Khanduri Bhushan Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha ki adhyaksh hain. Woh 26 March 2022 se is pad par hain.
Yashpal Arya is the Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, since 10 April 2022, as on 29 October 2026. The post carries Cabinet Minister status.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.