UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Case for consensus

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the strength of the Lok Sabha as it stands at present and as proposed by the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026: 1. At present the Lok Sabha's 543 members comprise 530 elected from the States and 13 from the Union Territories. 2. The Bill raises the ceiling on members to be chosen from the States from 530 to 815. 3. The Bill leaves the ceiling on Union Territory representation unchanged at 20, the proposed increase being confined to the States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. At present the Lok Sabha's 543 members comprise 530 elected from the States and 13 from the Union Territories.
  2. The Bill raises the ceiling on members to be chosen from the States from 530 to 815.
  3. The Bill leaves the ceiling on Union Territory representation unchanged at 20, the proposed increase being confined to the States.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the composition of the Delimitation Commission proposed under the Delimitation Bill, 2026, consider the following: 1. A person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, as Chairperson 2. The Chief Election Commissioner, or an Election Commissioner nominated by the Central Government 3. The State Election Commissioner of the State concerned 4. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, as an ex officio member Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, as Chairperson
  2. The Chief Election Commissioner, or an Election Commissioner nominated by the Central Government
  3. The State Election Commissioner of the State concerned
  4. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, as an ex officio member
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q3. Under the Delimitation Bill, 2026, how many associate members are to be associated with the Delimitation Commission in respect of each State?

  • A. Five
  • B. Ten
  • C. Fifteen
  • D. Twenty

Q4. Under the Delimitation Bill, 2026, which one of the following best describes the position of an 'associate member' of the Delimitation Commission?

  • A. A sitting legislator nominated by the Speaker concerned, who takes part in the Commission's proceedings but has no right to vote on or sign its decisions
  • B. A sitting legislator elected by the House concerned, who may vote on the Commission's draft proposals but not on its final delimitation order
  • C. A retired Judge of a High Court nominated by the State Government, who advises the Commission on the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  • D. An officer of the Election Commission deputed to the Commission, who signs its orders on behalf of the Chief Election Commissioner

Q5. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to raise the ceiling on the composition of the Lok Sabha and to alter the basis for readjustment of seats after each census principally by amending which one of the following pairs of Articles?

  • A. Articles 80 and 81
  • B. Articles 81 and 82
  • C. Articles 82 and 170
  • D. Articles 170 and 330

Q6. If the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats were reallocated among the States on the basis of the 2011 Census, which one of the following States would lose the largest number of seats?

  • A. Andhra Pradesh
  • B. Kerala
  • C. Tamil Nadu
  • D. West Bengal

Q7. Under the Delimitation Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Commission for carrying out the readjustment exercise is to be constituted by which one of the following?

  • A. The Central Government, by notification
  • B. The Election Commission of India, by an order under the Representation of the People Act, 1950
  • C. The President, acting on the advice of the Chief Justice of India
  • D. Parliament, by a resolution adopted by both Houses separately

Q8. Consider the following pairs of the 2026 delimitation Bills and the provisions attributed to them: 1. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 — raises the maximum number of Lok Sabha members from 550 to 850 2. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — extends the corresponding provisions to Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir 3. The Delimitation Bill, 2026 — repeals the Delimitation Act, 2002 4. The Delimitation Bill, 2026 — raises the ceiling on the size of the Union Council of Ministers from 81 to 122 Which of the above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 — raises the maximum number of Lok Sabha members from 550 to 850
  2. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — extends the corresponding provisions to Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir
  3. The Delimitation Bill, 2026 — repeals the Delimitation Act, 2002
  4. The Delimitation Bill, 2026 — raises the ceiling on the size of the Union Council of Ministers from 81 to 122
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only