UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — An anti-climactic outcome in the Knesset elections

Q1. With reference to list-based proportional representation (PR) and the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. List PR generally gives each legislator a closer link with a defined local territorial constituency than FPTP does.
  2. Under list PR, voters primarily choose between parties, and seats are distributed among parties broadly in line with their vote shares.
  3. List PR tends to produce more parties in the legislature and more frequent coalition governments than FPTP does.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. Suppose a country that elects its legislature by party-list proportional representation from a single nationwide constituency raises its legal electoral threshold from 2% to 4% of the valid votes. Consider the following as possible consequences: Which of the above are likely consequences of this change?

  1. The number of parties winning seats in the legislature is likely to decline.
  2. The proportion of votes cast for parties that end up winning no seats is likely to rise.
  3. Small parties polling near the new cut-off gain an incentive to merge or to contest on joint lists.
  4. The total strength of the legislature shrinks, because seats corresponding to votes for unsuccessful parties are left vacant.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In Israel, the member of the Knesset tasked with forming a government after an election is not necessarily the leader of the party that won the most seats.
  2. As of 2026, Israel's Prime Minister is elected directly by the voters in a ballot held separately from the Knesset election.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under list-based proportional representation with a legal threshold, a party that crosses the threshold can never receive a share of seats larger than its share of the national vote.
  2. Votes cast for parties that fail to cross the threshold are disregarded when seats are distributed among the qualifying parties.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. A 120-member unicameral legislature requires a government to command at least 61 members. An election returns three blocs: Bloc X with 53 seats, Bloc Y with 48 seats and Bloc Z with 19 seats. Parties in both Bloc X and Bloc Y regard Bloc Z as an unacceptable coalition partner. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. No bloc can form a government with the support of its own members alone.
  2. Any government commanding 61 members without Bloc Z must include parties drawn from both Bloc X and Bloc Y.
  3. Bloc X will form the government because it holds the largest number of seats.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q6. With reference to minority representation under party-list proportional representation, as seen in Israel's 2026 Knesset election, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A party can win seats in proportion to its votes yet remain in opposition if no other party is willing to govern with it.
  2. A minority community's share of legislative seats must equal its share of the country's population.
  3. Because the threshold applies to each list's national vote, a minority whose vote is split among several small lists risks winning fewer seats than a single joint list would.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q7. With reference to Israel's constitutional and legislative framework, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Israel has no single codified constitution; a set of Basic Laws performs constitutional functions.
  2. Like the Parliament of India, Israel's national legislature is bicameral, with an indirectly elected upper house.
  3. All of Israel's Basic Laws can be amended only by a special majority of the Knesset.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q8. In which one of the following respects does the election of State representatives to the Rajya Sabha differ from a Lok Sabha general election but resemble Israel's Knesset election?

  • A. Each electoral unit returns exactly one representative
  • B. The candidate with the most votes wins without needing a quota
  • C. Every adult citizen on the electoral rolls votes directly
  • D. Seats are filled through a system of proportional representation