UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC to hear Opposition’s plea on SIR, CEC today

Q1. Suppose an Act of Parliament, and rules framed under it, prescribe the contents of the application form for enrolment as a voter. Applying the settled judicial position on the Election Commission's power under Article 324, consider the following positions: Which of the positions given above is/are legally sustainable?

  1. The Commission may issue directions on a related aspect of enrolment on which the Act and the rules are wholly silent.
  2. The Commission may alter the prescribed contents of the form through administrative instructions, without the rules being amended.
  3. Because the Commission is a constitutional body, its directions under Article 324 prevail over the rules wherever the two conflict.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. The statutory power of the Election Commission to direct, at any time and for reasons to be recorded, a special revision of the electoral roll for a constituency or part of a constituency is contained in which of the following?

  • A. Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • B. Delimitation Act, 2002
  • C. Citizenship Act, 1955
  • D. Representation of the People Act, 1950

Q3. With reference to the constitutional safeguards for members of the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  2. An Election Commissioner, like the Chief Election Commissioner, can be removed only in the manner and on the grounds applicable to a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  3. The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner cannot be varied to the Chief Election Commissioner's disadvantage after appointment.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. With reference to the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Constitution makes the President's power of appointment subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament in that behalf.
  2. Under the 2023 Act, an appointment is not invalid merely because there is a vacancy in the Selection Committee.
  3. Under the 2023 Act, the Chief Justice of India is a member of the Selection Committee.
  4. Under the 2023 Act, the Selection Committee may consider persons who are not in the panel prepared by the Search Committee.
  • A. 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The selection committee for the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners laid down by the Supreme Court in Anoop Baranwal (2023) could be replaced by a law made by Parliament.
  2. In Anoop Baranwal, the Supreme Court held that the presence of the Chief Justice of India on the selection committee is constitutionally indispensable, irrespective of any law that Parliament may make.
  • 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

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Supreme Court's May 2026 judgment upholding the Election Commission's power to conduct a Special Intensive Revision also settled the validity of the revised enrolment form that the Commission used afterwards.
  2. When a court upholds a power in general, each specific exercise of that power remains open to scrutiny for conformity with the statutory framework.
  • 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

Q7. Consider the following assertion: The Election Commission has a constitutional basis for examining whether a person seeking enrolment is a citizen of India. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. Under Article 326, only a citizen of India is entitled to be registered as a voter.
  2. Under Article 326, a person must be at least eighteen years of age on the qualifying date to be registered as a voter.
  3. Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls in the Election Commission.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q8. With reference to the composition and functioning of the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Constitution does not itself require the Election Commission to be a multi-member body, because the number of other Election Commissioners is left to the President.
  2. When other Election Commissioners are appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner acts as the Chairman of the Election Commission.
  3. Article 324 itself lays down how the Commission is to decide a matter on which its members differ.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only