UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ECI deploys over 25 lakh Officials for violence-free, inducement-free elections in 5 States/UTs

Q1. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 replaced which one of the following earlier laws governing the service conditions of the Commission?

  • A. The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991
  • B. The Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • C. The Government of India Act, 1935
  • D. The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968

Q2. With reference to the composition and appointment of the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: 1. The ECI became a multi-member body on a permanent basis in 1993. 2. Under the 2023 Act, the Selection Committee for appointing the CEC and Election Commissioners consists of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister and the Chief Justice of India. 3. The CEC and other Election Commissioners hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ECI became a multi-member body on a permanent basis in 1993.
  2. Under the 2023 Act, the Selection Committee for appointing the CEC and Election Commissioners consists of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister and the Chief Justice of India.
  3. The CEC and other Election Commissioners hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The directive to the over 25 lakh officials deployed for the 2026 Assembly elections to act 'with complete impartiality' so that every elector votes without fear or favour was issued by which functionary?

  • A. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
  • B. Former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
  • C. Former Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora
  • D. Former Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra

Q4. For the 2026 Assembly elections in the five States/UTs, the ECI gave the following figures for the deployment of personnel. Which one of the following is NOT correctly stated? 1. Around 15 lakh Polling Personnel 2. Around 8.5 lakh Security Personnel 3. Around 49,000 Micro Observers 4. Around 1.5 lakh Counting Personnel Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Around 15 lakh Polling Personnel
  2. Around 8.5 lakh Security Personnel
  3. Around 49,000 Micro Observers
  4. Around 1.5 lakh Counting Personnel
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q5. The superintendence, direction and control of the 2026 General Assembly Elections to the five States/UTs is vested in the Election Commission of India under which Article of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 324
  • B. Article 326
  • C. Article 325
  • D. Article 329

Q6. In the schedule announced on 15 March 2026, to how many State/UT Legislative Assemblies did the ECI announce General Elections (excluding the States where only bye-elections were held)?

  • A. 4
  • B. 5
  • C. 6
  • D. 7

Q7. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in Indian elections are manufactured by which of the following pairs of public sector undertakings?

  • A. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
  • B. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
  • C. ITI Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
  • D. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and ECIL

Q8. With reference to the evolution of EVMs and VVPATs in India, consider the following statements: 1. EVMs were first used in 1982 in the North Paravur Assembly constituency by-election in Kerala. 2. VVPAT was first used in 2013 in the Noksen Assembly constituency by-election in Nagaland. 3. EVMs were used in all polling stations across the country for the first time in the 2004 general election. 4. In April 2024, the Supreme Court directed 100% counting of VVPAT slips in every constituency. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. EVMs were first used in 1982 in the North Paravur Assembly constituency by-election in Kerala.
  2. VVPAT was first used in 2013 in the Noksen Assembly constituency by-election in Nagaland.
  3. EVMs were used in all polling stations across the country for the first time in the 2004 general election.
  4. In April 2024, the Supreme Court directed 100% counting of VVPAT slips in every constituency.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. Consider the following ECI digital platforms and their described functions: 1. cVIGIL — a citizen app to report Model Code of Conduct violations, acted upon within a 100-minute timeline. 2. ENCORE — software enabling Returning Officers to manage nominations, voter turnout, counting and results. 3. Suvidha — a portal/app through which candidates seek permissions and track nomination scrutiny. 4. ECINET — an exit-poll forecasting tool used by the ECI on counting day. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. cVIGIL — a citizen app to report Model Code of Conduct violations, acted upon within a 100-minute timeline.
  2. ENCORE — software enabling Returning Officers to manage nominations, voter turnout, counting and results.
  3. Suvidha — a portal/app through which candidates seek permissions and track nomination scrutiny.
  4. ECINET — an exit-poll forecasting tool used by the ECI on counting day.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q10. With reference to the enforcement machinery for inducement-free elections in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Flying Squads are mobile teams deployed to act on complaints of inducement. 2. Static Surveillance Teams set up surprise nakas at fixed locations. 3. The Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) digitally tracks seizures of cash, liquor and narcotics. 4. The Model Code of Conduct becomes operative only from the date of polling. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Flying Squads are mobile teams deployed to act on complaints of inducement.
  2. Static Surveillance Teams set up surprise nakas at fixed locations.
  3. The Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) digitally tracks seizures of cash, liquor and narcotics.
  4. The Model Code of Conduct becomes operative only from the date of polling.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the founding of the ECI and National Voters' Day, consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India was established on 25 January 1950. 2. National Voters' Day has been observed every year since 1950 to commemorate the ECI's foundation. 3. The 16th National Voters' Day (2026) was observed with the theme 'My India, My Vote'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Election Commission of India was established on 25 January 1950.
  2. National Voters' Day has been observed every year since 1950 to commemorate the ECI's foundation.
  3. The 16th National Voters' Day (2026) was observed with the theme 'My India, My Vote'.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. To safeguard the independence of the Election Commission, which one of the following enjoys the highest constitutional protection, being removable from office only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court?

  • A. The Chief Election Commissioner
  • B. An Election Commissioner (other than the CEC)
  • C. The Chief Electoral Officer of a State
  • D. A Regional Commissioner appointed under Article 324