UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — On the independence of the EC

Q1. Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, how many members constitute the Selection Committee that recommends names for appointment as the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners to the President?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. With reference to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, consider the following: 1. The Prime Minister 2. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha 3. The Chief Justice of India 4. A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister Which of the above is/are correctly identified as member(s) of the Selection Committee constituted under the Act for the appointment of the CEC and other ECs?

  1. The Prime Minister
  2. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  3. The Chief Justice of India
  4. A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q3. Under which Article of the Constitution of India is the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, the State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President vested in the Election Commission?

  • A. Article 280
  • B. Article 315
  • C. Article 324
  • D. Article 338

Q4. With reference to the difference between the appointment mechanism for Election Commissioners laid down by the Supreme Court in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023) and that subsequently enacted by Parliament in the 2023 Act, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Supreme Court's directions, the selection panel comprised the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. 2. The 2023 Act substituted the Chief Justice of India in the panel with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. 3. The 2023 Act has reduced the salary of the Chief Election Commissioner from that equivalent to a Judge of the Supreme Court to that equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Supreme Court's directions, the selection panel comprised the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
  2. The 2023 Act substituted the Chief Justice of India in the panel with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
  3. The 2023 Act has reduced the salary of the Chief Election Commissioner from that equivalent to a Judge of the Supreme Court to that equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for matters relating to election laws and for liaison with the Election Commission of India in the Government of India?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
  • D. Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department)