UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Free and fair elections are dependent on a truly independent poll body: SC

Q1. The judgment in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023), which laid down the interim appointment mechanism for the Election Commission, was delivered by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by which one of the following judges?

  • A. Justice K.M. Joseph
  • B. Justice Ajay Rastogi
  • C. Justice Aniruddha Bose
  • D. Justice C.T. Ravikumar

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 Selection Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. A Search Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary shortlists five persons for the Selection Committee. 3. The Selection Committee cannot function while the post of Leader of Opposition is vacant. 4. The Selection Committee may consider persons beyond those shortlisted by the Search Committee. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Selection Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister.
  2. A Search Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary shortlists five persons for the Selection Committee.
  3. The Selection Committee cannot function while the post of Leader of Opposition is vacant.
  4. The Selection Committee may consider persons beyond those shortlisted by the Search Committee.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Under the 2023 Act on appointment of the CEC and ECs, the term 'Search Committee' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A body headed by the Cabinet Secretary that shortlists a panel of five persons for the Selection Committee's consideration
  • B. The Selection Committee of the PM, a Union Cabinet Minister and the LoP that recommends appointees to the President
  • C. A committee of Supreme Court judges that vets the legality of the appointments
  • D. A parliamentary committee that ratifies the names cleared by the Selection Committee

Q4. The provision that the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court is contained in which one of the following?

  • A. Article 324(5)
  • B. Article 324(2)
  • C. Article 324(1)
  • D. Article 148

Q5. Under Article 324, consider the following statements comparing the position of the Chief Election Commissioner with that of other Election Commissioners: 1. The CEC can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. 2. Any other Election Commissioner can be removed only on the recommendation of the CEC. 3. The conditions of service of the CEC may be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CEC can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  2. Any other Election Commissioner can be removed only on the recommendation of the CEC.
  3. The conditions of service of the CEC may be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 was taken up for final arguments in 2026 by a Supreme Court Bench comprising which of the following?

  • A. Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma
  • B. Justices K.M. Joseph and Ajay Rastogi
  • C. Justices Aniruddha Bose and C.T. Ravikumar
  • D. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Satish Chandra Sharma

Q7. Consider the following statements about how the appointment panel under the 2023 Act differs from the interim arrangement in Anoop Baranwal (2023), as canvassed before the Supreme Court: 1. Under the 2023 Act the Chief Justice of India is replaced by a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. 2. Both the interim Baranwal committee and the 2023 Act committee are chaired by the Prime Minister. 3. Unlike the interim arrangement, the 2023 Act requires every appointment to have the unanimous approval of all committee members. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the 2023 Act the Chief Justice of India is replaced by a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
  2. Both the interim Baranwal committee and the 2023 Act committee are chaired by the Prime Minister.
  3. Unlike the interim arrangement, the 2023 Act requires every appointment to have the unanimous approval of all committee members.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following correctly describes the composition of the committee that recommends the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner?

  • A. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • B. The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • C. The Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • D. The Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India

Q9. Among the following, the appointment/selection committee with the largest number of members is the one for the—

  • A. Lokpal
  • B. Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation
  • C. Central Vigilance Commissioner
  • D. Chief Election Commissioner

Q10. Consider the following statements about the conditions of service of the CEC and ECs under the 2023 Act as compared with a Judge of the Supreme Court: 1. The CEC and ECs hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. 2. The CEC and ECs are eligible for re-appointment on completion of their term. 3. The salary of the CEC and ECs is equal to that of a Judge of the Supreme Court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CEC and ECs hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  2. The CEC and ECs are eligible for re-appointment on completion of their term.
  3. The salary of the CEC and ECs is equal to that of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. In the 2026 hearing, the Supreme Court described the independence of the Election Commission as a facet of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution. The 'basic structure' doctrine, as used here, means which one of the following?

  • A. Certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be abrogated even by a constitutional amendment
  • B. Every provision of the Constitution is equally unamendable by Parliament
  • C. Only the Fundamental Rights in Part III are immune from amendment
  • D. The Constitution can be amended only with the prior concurrence of the Supreme Court