On May 10, 2026, Karuppiah M.V., a member of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, was sworn in as the Pro-tem Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. This appointment followed the swearing-in of C. Joseph Vijay as the Chief Minister. The Pro-tem Speaker plays a vital role during the transition between legislative assemblies, primarily responsible for administering oaths to newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and conducting elections for the permanent Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The appointment typically goes to the senior-most member of the assembly, although the government can recommend others. The Pro-tem Speaker's duties are short-lived, ending once a permanent Speaker is elected, which is scheduled for May 12, 2026. Notable past Pro-tem Speakers in Tamil Nadu include K. Pitchandi and S. Semmalai, who held the position during significant political transitions in the state.