UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC dismisses Congress leader’s plea on rejection of Rajya Sabha nomination
Q1. In a biennial election to the Rajya Sabha from a State, the scrutiny and acceptance/rejection of candidates' nomination papers is operationalised by which one of the following functionaries?
- A. The Returning Officer notified by the Election Commission of India, who is ordinarily the Principal Secretary of the concerned State Legislative Assembly
- B. The Chief Electoral Officer of the State, acting solely under the directions of the Governor
- C. The Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, who alone is competent to receive nominations to the Council of States
- D. The Election Commissioner-in-charge of the State, exclusively empowered under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
Q2. Consider the following statements distinguishing elected members of the Rajya Sabha from members nominated under Article 80(3):
1. Elected members from the States are chosen by the elected members of the concerned State Legislative Assembly through a single transferable vote with proportional representation.
2. Nominated members are appointed by the President for special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service, and currently number twelve.
3. Both elected and nominated members are required to file the Form 26 affidavit prescribed under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, disclosing criminal antecedents and assets.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Elected members from the States are chosen by the elected members of the concerned State Legislative Assembly through a single transferable vote with proportional representation.
- Nominated members are appointed by the President for special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service, and currently number twelve.
- Both elected and nominated members are required to file the Form 26 affidavit prescribed under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, disclosing criminal antecedents and assets.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. In dismissing the Congress leader's writ petition against rejection of her Rajya Sabha nomination, the Supreme Court relied principally on which one of the following constitutional provisions to hold that the writ jurisdiction was barred?
- A. Article 329(b)
- B. Article 324(1)
- C. Article 103(1)
- D. Article 226(2)
Q4. How many seats in the Rajya Sabha are constitutionally reserved for members nominated by the President under Article 80(3) of the Constitution?
Q5. With reference to Indian parliamentary elections, the term 'Form 26' — non-disclosure in which led to rejection of the Rajya Sabha nomination dismissed by the Supreme Court in June 2026 — refers to which one of the following?
- A. The affidavit prescribed under Rule 4A of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, in which a candidate discloses pending criminal cases, convictions, assets, liabilities and educational qualifications
- B. The nomination paper itself filed by a candidate contesting election to the Council of States from a State or Union Territory
- C. The election petition format prescribed for filing before the High Court under Section 81 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- D. The certificate of return of election issued by the Returning Officer to a successful candidate under Section 67 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951