UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Simultaneous polls possible in 2029, says panel chief

Question 1

Which one of the following provides the secretariat support to, and grants extensions of tenure to, the Joint Committee examining the simultaneous elections Bills?

Accepted Answer

The Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Committee having been constituted by and reporting to the Lok Sabha

Answer

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat, the Committee's Rajya Sabha members being in the majority

Answer

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, which coordinates the legislative business of both Houses

Answer

The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, which handles election-related administration

Question 2

Under the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, if the election to a particular State Legislative Assembly cannot be held along with the general election, which authority sets that deferment in motion?

Accepted Answer

The Election Commission of India, on whose recommendation the President may issue an order

Answer

The Governor of the State, acting on the advice of the State Council of Ministers

Answer

The Union Council of Ministers, by advising the President under Article 74

Answer

Parliament, by a resolution passed by both Houses by a simple majority

Question 3

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes to insert which new Article to define and provide for simultaneous elections?

Accepted Answer

Article 82A

Answer

Article 172A

Answer

Article 324A

Answer

Article 328A

Question 4

With reference to the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections constituted in 2023, which one of the following is correct?

Accepted Answer

It was set up by the Government of India in the Ministry of Law and Justice, whose Minister of State (Independent Charge) attended as a Special Invitee

Answer

It was set up by the Election Commission of India, which alone serviced it, and its recommendations bound all States

Answer

It was set up by NITI Aayog, and its entire membership was drawn from retired judges of the Supreme Court

Answer

It was set up by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament, and included members of every recognised national party

Question 5

Consider the following persons associated with the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections:
1. Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
2. Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner
3. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice
4. Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as members of the Committee?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 6

In the roadmap for simultaneous elections, which one of the following proposed amendments attracts the highest procedural threshold, namely ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States over and above a special majority in Parliament?

Accepted Answer

The amendment providing for a single electoral roll for all three tiers of government

Answer

The amendment fixing the duration of the House of the People under Article 83

Answer

The amendment fixing the duration of the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 172

Answer

The amendment to Article 327 on Parliament's power to make provision with respect to elections

Question 7

Which one of the following drafts and pilots Constitution Amendment Bills, including the two simultaneous elections Bills, on behalf of the Union Government?

Accepted Answer

The Legislative Department, which is responsible for drafting principal legislation for the Union

Answer

The Department of Legal Affairs, which advises the Government on legal questions referred to it

Answer

The Department of Justice, which deals with the appointment and service conditions of judges

Answer

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, which handles the scheduling of Government business

Question 8

Which one of the following correctly states the authority that referred the two simultaneous elections Bills to a Joint Committee, and when?

Accepted Answer

The Lok Sabha, in December 2024, immediately after the Bills were introduced in that House

Answer

The Rajya Sabha, in December 2024, after the Bills had been passed by the Lok Sabha

Answer

The Union Cabinet, in September 2024, while accepting the High-Level Committee's report

Answer

The President, in March 2024, on receipt of the High-Level Committee's report

Question 9

According to the Joint Committee Chairman's 2026 assessment, which one of the following is the first condition that must be met for simultaneous elections to be held in 2029?

Accepted Answer

Passage of the constitutional amendment by Parliament by 2028

Answer

Ratification of the amendment by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States

Answer

Issue of a Presidential notification on the date of the first sitting of the new House of the People

Answer

Synchronisation of municipal and panchayat elections within 100 days of the general election

Question 10

Consider the following general elections:
1. 1962
2. 1971
3. 1967
4. 1957
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as elections in which polls to the House of the People and to all State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 11

Consider the following pairs of constitutional Articles and their subject matter:
1. Article 83 — Duration of the Houses of Parliament
2. Article 172 — Duration of the State Legislatures
3. Article 174 — Dissolution of the House of the People
4. Article 356 — Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in a State
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Simultaneous polls possible in 2029, says panel chief

Q1. Which one of the following provides the secretariat support to, and grants extensions of tenure to, the Joint Committee examining the simultaneous elections Bills?

Q2. Under the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, if the election to a particular State Legislative Assembly cannot be held along with the general election, which authority sets that deferment in motion?

Q3. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes to insert which new Article to define and provide for simultaneous elections?

Q4. With reference to the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections constituted in 2023, which one of the following is correct?

Q6. In the roadmap for simultaneous elections, which one of the following proposed amendments attracts the highest procedural threshold, namely ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States over and above a special majority in Parliament?

Q7. Which one of the following drafts and pilots Constitution Amendment Bills, including the two simultaneous elections Bills, on behalf of the Union Government?

Q8. Which one of the following correctly states the authority that referred the two simultaneous elections Bills to a Joint Committee, and when?

Q9. According to the Joint Committee Chairman's 2026 assessment, which one of the following is the first condition that must be met for simultaneous elections to be held in 2029?

Q10. Consider the following general elections: 1. 1962 2. 1971 3. 1967 4. 1957 Which of the above is/are correctly identified as elections in which polls to the House of the People and to all State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously?