UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC bars civic body from deploying court staff for election duty

Question 1

Which constitutional functionary exercises primary administrative control over the staff of subordinate courts in a State, as invoked by the Bombay High Court in its December 2025 order restraining the BMC from requisitioning court staff for election duty?

Accepted Answer

The High Court of the State, under Article 235

Answer

The Governor of the State, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers

Answer

The State Public Service Commission

Answer

The State Election Commission, under Article 243ZA

Question 2

Under which provision of law is the power to requisition staff for election duty — the provision the Bombay High Court held does not list courts among requisitionable establishments — located?

Accepted Answer

Section 159 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

Answer

Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

Answer

Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Answer

Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

Question 3

In the context of the Bombay High Court's December 30, 2025 emergency sitting on the BMC election-duty letters, the expression 'suo motu cognisance' precisely refers to:

Accepted Answer

Cognisance taken by a court on its own motion, without any formal petition or application by an aggrieved party

Answer

Cognisance taken by a court only after the issuance of a notice for contempt to the executive

Answer

Cognisance taken jointly by the Chief Justice and the Advocate-General on a matter of public importance

Answer

Cognisance taken by a Division Bench upon a reference from a single-judge bench

Question 4

Article 243ZA, which vests in the State Election Commission the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Municipalities, was inserted into the Constitution by which Amendment Act?

Accepted Answer

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act

Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act

Answer

The 65th Constitutional Amendment Act

Answer

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act

Question 5

With reference to Section 159(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, consider the following categories of establishments:
1. Every local authority
2. Subordinate courts functioning under the superintendence of a High Court
3. Every university established or incorporated by or under a Central, Provincial or State Act
4. Every Government company as defined under the Companies Act
Which of the above are correctly identified as establishments whose staff may be requisitioned for election work under the said provision?

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC bars civic body from deploying court staff for election duty

Q1. Which constitutional functionary exercises primary administrative control over the staff of subordinate courts in a State, as invoked by the Bombay High Court in its December 2025 order restraining the BMC from requisitioning court staff for election duty?

Q2. Under which provision of law is the power to requisition staff for election duty — the provision the Bombay High Court held does not list courts among requisitionable establishments — located?

Q3. In the context of the Bombay High Court's December 30, 2025 emergency sitting on the BMC election-duty letters, the expression 'suo motu cognisance' precisely refers to:

Q4. Article 243ZA, which vests in the State Election Commission the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Municipalities, was inserted into the Constitution by which Amendment Act?