UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Record poll turnout in Bengal, T.N. shows citizens’ strength: SC

Q1. The Election Commission's authority to direct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll for a constituency 'at any time, for reasons to be recorded' is traced primarily to which one of the following statutory provisions?

  • A. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
  • B. Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • C. Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • D. Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Q2. With reference to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the 2025-26 cycle, consider the following: 1. Bihar was the jurisdiction where SIR was first rolled out, in 2025. 2. Assam completed its SIR, with names both added to and deleted from the draft roll. 3. Puducherry, a Union Territory, was among the jurisdictions covered ahead of the 2026 polls. 4. Karnataka underwent SIR ahead of an Assembly election due in 2026. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Bihar was the jurisdiction where SIR was first rolled out, in 2025.
  2. Assam completed its SIR, with names both added to and deleted from the draft roll.
  3. Puducherry, a Union Territory, was among the jurisdictions covered ahead of the 2026 polls.
  4. Karnataka underwent SIR ahead of an Assembly election due in 2026.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, whose constitutionality was challenged before the Supreme Court in 2026, is operationally carried out by which one of the following?

  • A. Election Commission of India
  • B. State Election Commission of the concerned State
  • C. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
  • D. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

Q4. With reference to the Supreme Court's 2026 hearing of the West Bengal SIR petitions, consider the following statements: 1. The Court cited both West Bengal's turnout of about 92% and a record turnout in Tamil Nadu as evidence of citizens' faith in democracy. 2. Tamil Nadu recorded a higher turnout percentage than West Bengal in the 2026 polls. 3. The bench hearing the West Bengal SIR petitions was headed by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Court cited both West Bengal's turnout of about 92% and a record turnout in Tamil Nadu as evidence of citizens' faith in democracy.
  2. Tamil Nadu recorded a higher turnout percentage than West Bengal in the 2026 polls.
  3. The bench hearing the West Bengal SIR petitions was headed by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements distinguishing the forms of revision of electoral rolls: 1. In an intensive revision the roll is prepared afresh, whereas a summary revision updates the existing roll. 2. Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the Election Commission may direct that a roll be revised intensively, summarily, or partly both. 3. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 permits a special revision only in a general-election year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In an intensive revision the roll is prepared afresh, whereas a summary revision updates the existing roll.
  2. Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the Election Commission may direct that a roll be revised intensively, summarily, or partly both.
  3. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 permits a special revision only in a general-election year.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for all elections to Parliament and the State legislatures is vested in the Election Commission primarily by which one of the following Articles of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 324
  • B. Article 325
  • C. Article 326
  • D. Article 327

Q7. With reference to the 2026 Assembly elections, consider the following statements: 1. West Bengal recorded a turnout of over 92% across its two polling phases. 2. Tamil Nadu recorded its highest-ever turnout since Independence. 3. The 2026 Assembly elections covered West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. 4. Tamil Nadu's 2026 turnout exceeded West Bengal's. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. West Bengal recorded a turnout of over 92% across its two polling phases.
  2. Tamil Nadu recorded its highest-ever turnout since Independence.
  3. The 2026 Assembly elections covered West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
  4. Tamil Nadu's 2026 turnout exceeded West Bengal's.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q8. The official characterisation that West Bengal and Tamil Nadu recorded their highest-ever voter turnouts 'since Independence' in the 2026 Assembly elections was made by which one of the following?

  • A. Election Commission of India
  • B. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Law Commission of India

Q9. Consider the following statements on the Election Commission's powers and their judicial scrutiny: 1. The Election Commission's power under Article 324 has been described as a 'plenary' power, to be exercised where the enacted law is silent. 2. In 2026 the Supreme Court observed that a special revision of electoral rolls must satisfy Article 14 and uphold adult suffrage under Article 326. 3. The Supreme Court has held that orders passed by the Election Commission under Article 324 are final and immune from judicial review. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Election Commission's power under Article 324 has been described as a 'plenary' power, to be exercised where the enacted law is silent.
  2. In 2026 the Supreme Court observed that a special revision of electoral rolls must satisfy Article 14 and uphold adult suffrage under Article 326.
  3. The Supreme Court has held that orders passed by the Election Commission under Article 324 are final and immune from judicial review.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. In the 2026 West Bengal SIR litigation, the Supreme Court sought a same-day report on the functioning of the (allegedly non-functional) SIR appellate tribunals from which one of the following?

  • A. The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court
  • B. The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal
  • C. The State Election Commission of West Bengal
  • D. The Governor of West Bengal

Q11. With reference to the outcome of the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls, consider the following statements: 1. The SIR led to deletion of over 90 lakh names from the electoral roll. 2. The deletions amounted to nearly 12% of the State's electorate of about 7.66 crore. 3. A section of the deleted electors were removed under a 'logical discrepancy' category. 4. The SIR resulted in a net addition of voters to the West Bengal roll. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The SIR led to deletion of over 90 lakh names from the electoral roll.
  2. The deletions amounted to nearly 12% of the State's electorate of about 7.66 crore.
  3. A section of the deleted electors were removed under a 'logical discrepancy' category.
  4. The SIR resulted in a net addition of voters to the West Bengal roll.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to the constitutional and legal basis of the right to vote in India, consider the following statements: 1. Article 326 provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of universal adult suffrage. 2. The minimum voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988. 3. The right to vote is conferred by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, subject to disqualifications. 4. Article 326 as originally enacted fixed the minimum voting age at 18 years. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Article 326 provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
  2. The minimum voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988.
  3. The right to vote is conferred by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, subject to disqualifications.
  4. Article 326 as originally enacted fixed the minimum voting age at 18 years.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4