UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — EC proposes synergy with SECs to align electoral processes

Q1. After how many years was the National Round Table Conference of the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commissioners convened in 2026?

  • A. 17 years
  • B. 22 years
  • C. 27 years
  • D. 32 years

Q2. The National Round Table Conference of the ECI and State Election Commissioners, 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, was chaired by which one of the following?

  • A. Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
  • B. Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi
  • C. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
  • D. Former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

Q3. With reference to the constitutional position of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the State Election Commissions (SECs) — which the 2026 National Round Table Conference sought to synergise — consider the following statements: 1. Both the ECI and the SECs derive their powers of superintendence, direction and control of elections from Article 324 of the Constitution. 2. SECs are constituted under Articles 243K and 243ZA, inserted by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts. 3. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Both the ECI and the SECs derive their powers of superintendence, direction and control of elections from Article 324 of the Constitution.
  2. SECs are constituted under Articles 243K and 243ZA, inserted by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
  3. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the State concerned.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the outcomes of the National Round Table Conference of the ECI and State Election Commissioners, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Conference unanimously adopted the National Declaration, 2026. 2. SECs were to submit State-wise recommendations on the synergy framework within three months. 3. It was decided that such a National Round Table Conference would henceforth be held once every five years. 4. ECI and SECs resolved to synergise the laws relating to elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies with those relating to elections to Parliament and State Legislatures. Which of the above statements are correctly identified as decisions of the 2026 Conference?

  1. The Conference unanimously adopted the National Declaration, 2026.
  2. SECs were to submit State-wise recommendations on the synergy framework within three months.
  3. It was decided that such a National Round Table Conference would henceforth be held once every five years.
  4. ECI and SECs resolved to synergise the laws relating to elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies with those relating to elections to Parliament and State Legislatures.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only