Balram Jakhar has the distinction of beginning his career in Parliament by occupying the office of the Speaker immediately after his election to the seventh Lok Sabha for the first time. He has the distinction of being the longest serving Speaker in the Lok Sabha.

Jakhar was Speaker for two consecutive full terms of the Lok Sabha. The first term was from January 22 1980 till January 15, 1985. The second term was from January 16, 1985 till December 18, 1989.

The manner in which Jakhar conducted the proceedings of the seventh Lok Sabha earned appreciation from all quarters and endeared him to all sections of the House. Therefore, on his re-election to the Lok Sabha in December 1984, this time from the Sikar parliamentary constituency of Rajasthan, he was the natural choice to preside over the new House. On January 16, 1985, he was re-elected, once again unanimously, to be the Speaker of the eighth Lok Sabha.

It was also during his tenure that the Anti-Defection Law which provided for disqualification of members on grounds of defection was enacted by Parliament in 1985.