UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC rejects plea against EC’s power to grant status

Q1. With reference to the Delhi High Court's January 2026 ruling and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, consider the following: 1. The petition challenging the Order was filed by the Hind Samrajya Party. 2. The Election Symbols Order, 1968 was promulgated by the Election Commission of India. 3. The High Court struck down paragraphs 6A, 6B and 6C of the Order as violative of Article 14. 4. The parent statute underlying the Order is the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. The petition challenging the Order was filed by the Hind Samrajya Party.
2. The Election Symbols Order, 1968 was promulgated by the Election Commission of India.
3. The High Court struck down paragraphs 6A, 6B and 6C of the Order as violative of Article 14.
4. The parent statute underlying the Order is the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 3 only
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, the term "reserved symbol" is most precisely defined as a symbol that is:

• A. exclusively allotted to a recognised national or State party for its candidates (throughout India, or within the State(s) of recognition respectively)
• B. chosen by an independent candidate or an unrecognised party from a common pool after the date of scrutiny
• C. allotted on a one-time basis to any registered party irrespective of its electoral performance
• D. temporarily assigned to a party only for the duration of a single general election and surrendered thereafter

Q3. With reference to the legal architecture underpinning the Election Symbols Order, 1968 that the Delhi High Court upheld in 2026, consider the following: 1. Article 324 of the Constitution — the basis of the ECI's superintendence, direction and control of elections. 2. Representation of the People Act, 1951 — the parent statute to which the Order relates. 3. Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 — whose Rule 5 and Rule 10 deal with allotment of symbols. 4. Section 169 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 — the provision under which the ECI itself promulgated the Order. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Article 324 of the Constitution — the basis of the ECI's superintendence, direction and control of elections.
2. Representation of the People Act, 1951 — the parent statute to which the Order relates.
3. Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 — whose Rule 5 and Rule 10 deal with allotment of symbols.
4. Section 169 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 — the provision under which the ECI itself promulgated the Order.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the distinctions drawn under the Election Symbols Order, 1968, consider the following statements: 1. A recognised party is entitled to a reserved symbol, whereas an unrecognised registered party is ordinarily allotted a free symbol. 2. A national party's reserved symbol is exclusive throughout India, whereas a State party's reserved symbol is exclusive only in the State(s) in which it is recognised. 3. Unlike reserved symbols, free symbols are exclusive to a single party and cannot be allotted to more than one candidate across different constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A recognised party is entitled to a reserved symbol, whereas an unrecognised registered party is ordinarily allotted a free symbol.
2. A national party's reserved symbol is exclusive throughout India, whereas a State party's reserved symbol is exclusive only in the State(s) in which it is recognised.
3. Unlike reserved symbols, free symbols are exclusive to a single party and cannot be allotted to more than one candidate across different constituencies.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The recognition of political parties as national or State parties, and the exclusive allotment of reserved symbols under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, is operationalised by which one of the following?

• A. Election Commission of India
• B. Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice
• C. Ministry of Home Affairs
• D. Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice