Published: 13 January 2026PIBGovernance
28th CSPOC Opens in New Delhi; 61 Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Attend
The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) opened in New Delhi on January 14, 2026, running until January 16. Sixty-one Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 45 Commonwealth Parliaments participated. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh hosted the conference.
PM Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the conference and deliver the keynote on January 15. Conference themes focused on AI in parliamentary functioning, social media challenges, security, and public engagement. The CPA Chairperson Christopher Kalila (Zambia) and Secretary-General Stephen Twigg attended. India had hosted CSPOC three times earlier: in 1971, 1986 and 2010.
0Mains angle
Q: Examine the relevance of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) for strengthening parliamentary democracy and India's soft power in the Commonwealth.
Answer (50 words):
The 28th CSPOC at Delhi (January 14-16, 2026) brought 61 Speakers from over 45 Commonwealth Parliaments, hosted by Om Birla and Harivansh Narayan Singh. Themes covered AI, social media, and security in parliaments. Hosting after earlier editions in 1971, 1986 and 2010 bolsters India's soft power and commitment to Commonwealth parliamentary cooperation.
6-axis classification
CoverageInternationalSubjectInternationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Parliamentary productivity in terms of sitting days has declined from historical average of how many days?
Explanation · Correct answer BLok Sabha historically averaged 120-130 sitting days per year but now averages only 55-70 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28th CSPOC and where was it held in January 2026?
The **28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)** was held in **New Delhi from January 14-16, 2026**. It was hosted by **Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla** and **Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh**, with **61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 45+ Commonwealth Parliaments** participating.
How many Speakers attended the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi and who hosted the conference?
**61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 45 Commonwealth Parliaments** attended the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi (January 14-16, 2026). The conference was hosted by **Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla** and **Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh**. **PM Modi** was scheduled to inaugurate it and deliver the keynote on January 15.
What were the key themes discussed at the 28th CSPOC conference in New Delhi in January 2026?
The 28th CSPOC themes focused on: **AI in parliamentary functioning**, **social media challenges**, **security**, and **public engagement**. **PM Modi** delivered the keynote on January 15. The **CPA Chairperson Christopher Kalila** (Zambia) and Secretary-General **Stephen Twigg** also attended. India last hosted CSPOC in **2002 and 2010**.
When did India last host CSPOC before the 28th conference in New Delhi in 2026?
India last hosted CSPOC in **2002 and 2010** before the **28th CSPOC in New Delhi** (January 14-16, 2026). The conference was hosted by **Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla** and **Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh**, with PM Modi delivering the keynote on January 15.
What role did AI and social media play in the discussions at the 28th CSPOC conference held in New Delhi in January 2026?
The 28th CSPOC conference held in **New Delhi (January 14-16, 2026)** specifically addressed **AI in parliamentary functioning** and **social media challenges** as conference themes, along with security and public engagement. These topics reflect growing global concern among legislatures about managing digital transformation while maintaining democratic accountability.
