UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ECI restores oversight of IT wing after workflow issue

Q1. With reference to the Election Commission of India and the officers who assist it, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before a general election, the President may, after consultation with the Election Commission, appoint Regional Commissioners to assist the Commission in its functions.
  2. Because Deputy Election Commissioners exercise functions delegated by the Commission, they are members of the Election Commission within the meaning of Article 324(2).
  3. The Commission's superintendence, direction and control extends to the preparation of electoral rolls, and not merely to the conduct of polls.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Constitution permits the Election Commission of India to function with the Chief Election Commissioner as its only member.
  2. When other Election Commissioners are appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner acts as the Chairman of the Election Commission.
  • 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

Q3. With reference to decision-making in the three-member Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Supreme Court has held that the Election Commissioners are on par with the Chief Election Commissioner rather than subordinate to the Chief Election Commissioner.
  2. The law requires the business of the Commission to be transacted unanimously as far as possible.
  3. Where the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners differ in opinion, the matter is decided according to the opinion of the majority.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Which one of the following correctly describes the protection of tenure provided under Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India?

  • A. CEC: removable only on the Selection Committee's advice; other Election Commissioners: removable like a Supreme Court judge
  • B. CEC: removable only by a resolution of the Lok Sabha; other Election Commissioners: removable only on the President's satisfaction
  • C. CEC and other Election Commissioners alike: removable only in the manner and on the grounds applicable to a Supreme Court judge
  • D. CEC: removable only like a Supreme Court judge; other Election Commissioners: removable only on the CEC's recommendation

Q5. Suppose the following measures are taken while a Chief Election Commissioner is in office: Which of the above would be inconsistent with Article 324 of the Constitution?

  1. The President raises the number of other Election Commissioners from two to four.
  2. Parliament amends the governing law to reduce the salary payable to the sitting Chief Election Commissioner.
  3. Parliament enacts a law prescribing the conditions of service and tenure of the Election Commissioners.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q6. With reference to the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners under the law enacted in 2023, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
  2. The Selection Committee can recommend only persons included in the panel prepared by the Search Committee.
  3. Where no Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is recognised, the leader of the single largest opposition party in that House takes that place on the Selection Committee.
  4. The Chief Justice of India is a member of the Selection Committee.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The selection mechanism laid down by the Supreme Court in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023) was to operate only until Parliament made a law on the subject.
  2. Article 324(2) vests the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners in the President acting in his individual discretion.
  • 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

Q8. Consider the following facts: I. The President makes rules under Article 77(3) for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India and for its allocation among Ministers. II. The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Secretariat, which assists in coordination among Ministries under these rules. III. Article 324(1) vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission. Which of the following inferences can be validly drawn from the above facts?

  1. The Cabinet Secretary may settle differences between Election Commissioners over the Commission's internal work, since the Cabinet Secretariat coordinates across governmental bodies.
  2. Rules framed for the business of the Government of India cannot by themselves bring the Election Commission's Article 324 functions under the control of a Ministry.
  3. The office of the Cabinet Secretary is created directly by Article 77 of the Constitution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 2 only