15 January 2026·PIB

English rendering of PM's address at the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Lok Sabhas of Commonwealth Countries

In this note

1. At a Glance

CSPOC is the apex inter-parliamentary forum of Speakers/Presiding Officers of Lok Sabhas (Lower Houses) of Commonwealth nations, hosted biennially on a rotating basis. [1][2]
India hosted the 28th edition at Samvidhan Sadan (old Parliament House), New Delhi, 14–16 January 2026, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 15 Jan 2026. [1][2][3]
UPSC relevance: parliamentary diplomacy, Commonwealth institutions, role of Speaker, AI & social-media governance in legislatures — touches GS-II (Polity & IR).

PM addressed the conference on 15 January 2026 at Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan; release issued by PIB the same day. [1][3]
India's first time hosting CSPOC; theme centred on AI in parliamentary functioning, social-media impact on MPs, and citizen participation beyond voting. [2][4]

CSPOC was instituted in 1969 as a self-governing association of Commonwealth Speakers; meets every two years. [2]
Sister bodies: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) — both represented at the 28th edition. [1][3]
India's earlier hosting role flagged at the 27th CSPOC (Canada, 2024) where Speaker Om Birla announced AI/social-media theme for India 2026. [5]

Event: 28th CSPOC, New Delhi, 14–16 January 2026. [2][3]
Inauguration: 15 Jan 2026, 10:30 AM, Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan. [2]
Host: Parliament of India, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh. [1][3]
Dignitaries named in PM's address: Ms. Tulia Ackson (President, IPU); Mr. Christopher Kalila (President, CPA). [1]
Participation: ~60–61 Speakers/Presiding Officers, 53 Commonwealth countries + 14 semi-autonomous parliaments, ~200 delegates in all. [3][4]
Founding year of CSPOC: 1969; frequency biennial. [2]
Commonwealth membership context: 56 member states (background reference). [2]

Constitutional / Institutional

Reinforces the role of the Speaker under Articles 93–96 (Lok Sabha) — impartial presiding, anti-defection (10th Schedule) adjudication. [1]
Showcases Samvidhan Sadan as a symbol of India's constitutional heritage post-shift to the new Parliament Building (2023). [2]

Geopolitical / Strategic

Projects India as parliamentary-diplomacy hub within the Commonwealth (56 members); complements G20 (2023) and Voice of Global South summits. [2]
Strengthens India's claim to soft-power leadership of the Global South via shared Westminster heritage. [4]

Scientific / Technological

Conference theme spotlighted AI in parliamentary functioning (drafting, translation, archival) and social-media's impact on MPs — converges with India's DPI narrative. [2][4]

Governance / Ethical

Deliberations on citizen participation beyond voting — aligns with participatory democracy and deliberative-governance discourse. [4]
Speaker's role of patient impartiality invoked by PM as a democratic virtue. [1]

Jan 2024 (27th CSPOC, Halifax, Canada): India announced as 2026 host; AI/social-media theme proposed by Speaker Om Birla. [5]
14 Jan 2026: CSPOC opens in New Delhi. [2]
15 Jan 2026: PM Modi delivers inaugural address. [1][3]
16 Jan 2026: Concluding session; Lok Sabha Speaker declared it a "grand success". [4]

28th CSPOC venue: Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi. [2]
Hosting body: Parliament of India (not MEA, not Commonwealth Secretariat). [1]
CSPOC was established in 1969; meets biennially. [2]
CPA President at 28th CSPOC: Christopher Kalila. [1]
IPU President at 28th CSPOC: Tulia Ackson. [1]
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman: Harivansh Narayan Singh (present at inauguration). [1]
Number of Commonwealth member states: 56; Speakers attending: ~60–61 from 53 countries + 14 sub-national parliaments. [3][4]
PM's inauguration date and time: 15 Jan 2026, 10:30 AM. [2]
India's prior CSPOC engagement: announced hosting at 27th CSPOC, Canada, 2024. [5]
Speaker of Lok Sabha (18th LS): Shri Om Birla. [1]

GS-II: Parliament & State Legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges; Important International Institutions.
Possible question stems:
"Discuss the role of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as the guardian of parliamentary democracy. How do inter-parliamentary forums like CSPOC strengthen this role?"
"Examine the implications of artificial intelligence and social media on the working of modern legislatures."
"Commonwealth institutions remain relevant to India's diplomatic toolkit. Comment in the context of CSPOC 2026."

Commonwealth of Nations & CHOGM — parent organisation context.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) — sister body, HQ London.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), 1889, Geneva — global parliamentary body.
Office of Speaker — Articles 93–96, 10th Schedule (anti-defection) — domestic core.
Samvidhan Sadan vs new Parliament Building (2023) — institutional heritage.
AI governance & DPI — overlaps with thematic agenda.
Voice of Global South Summits — parallel India-led platforms.

CSPOC is NOT the same as CPA or IPU — three distinct bodies; CSPOC is Speakers-only and Commonwealth-only.
Venue was Samvidhan Sadan (old Parliament), not the new Parliament Building.
Conference hosted by Lok Sabha Secretariat / Parliament of India, not by MEA or Commonwealth Secretariat.
CSPOC founded 1969, not 1949 (Commonwealth's London Declaration year) or 1911 (CPA's origin as Empire Parliamentary Association).
IPU is not a Commonwealth body — it is global (since 1889); its President attended as a guest.