What a Leader of Opposition Can Actually Do in India

The '10% rule' for the LoP post is a Speaker's convention, not a constitutional or statutory requirement.

The LoP's hard power is a guaranteed seat on panels selecting the CBI chief, CVC, CEC, Lokpal and CIC.

The 1977 Act gives the LoP Cabinet rank, salary and a secretariat in each House.

The Lok Sabha had no recognised LoP from 2014 to 2024 because no opposition party crossed 55 seats.

Where no LoP exists, the leader of the single largest opposition party usually takes that committee seat.