UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — TRS acronym tussle: EC wants Kavitha to submit alternatives
Q1. Under the process for allotting a common symbol to a newly registered unrecognised political party, if the applicant wishes to have an entirely new symbol rather than one from the list of free symbols, the maximum number of new symbols it may propose is:
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Five
- D. Ten
Q2. In the context of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a 'registered unrecognised political party' is best defined as a party which:
- A. Is registered with the Election Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, but has not fulfilled the criteria to be recognised as a State or National party
- B. Has been de-registered by the Election Commission for failing to contest elections
- C. Is recognised as a State party in one State but not in four or more States
- D. Has been allotted a reserved symbol but has yet to win a seat in any legislature
Q3. With reference to the party historically known by the acronym 'TRS', consider the following statements:
1. It was founded in 2001 by K. Chandrashekar Rao.
2. It was renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in October 2022.
3. The renaming was undertaken to expand the party's activities into national politics.
4. The renaming was announced and carried out by K. Kavitha.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It was founded in 2001 by K. Chandrashekar Rao.
- It was renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in October 2022.
- The renaming was undertaken to expand the party's activities into national politics.
- The renaming was announced and carried out by K. Kavitha.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q4. With reference to K. Chandrashekar Rao's party formerly known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, consider the following statements:
1. It was founded in the year 2001.
2. It was rechristened Bharat Rashtra Samithi in 2022.
3. The change of name was formalised at a general body meeting of the party.
4. The party acquired its new name after merging into an existing national party.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was founded in the year 2001.
- It was rechristened Bharat Rashtra Samithi in 2022.
- The change of name was formalised at a general body meeting of the party.
- The party acquired its new name after merging into an existing national party.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 3 only
- D. 2 and 3
Q5. With reference to K. Kavitha's proposed political party and the Election Commission's recent directive, consider the following statements:
1. Kavitha had earlier proposed five candidate names to the ECI.
2. The name filed for registration was Telangana Rakshana Sena, abbreviated 'TRS'.
3. The ECI has now directed her to submit five alternative names within thirty days.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Kavitha had earlier proposed five candidate names to the ECI.
- The name filed for registration was Telangana Rakshana Sena, abbreviated 'TRS'.
- The ECI has now directed her to submit five alternative names within thirty days.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q6. The 2026 notice asking K. Kavitha to submit alternative names for her proposed party, failing which the registration application would be closed, was issued by which authority?
- A. The Election Commission of India
- B. The State Election Commission of Telangana
- C. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
- D. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice
Q7. With reference to the political career of K. Kavitha, consider the following statements:
1. She served as a Member of Parliament from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency between 2014 and 2019.
2. She was subsequently a Member of the Legislative Council from the Nizamabad Local Authorities' constituency.
3. She founded the organisation Telangana Jagruthi in the year 2001.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- She served as a Member of Parliament from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency between 2014 and 2019.
- She was subsequently a Member of the Legislative Council from the Nizamabad Local Authorities' constituency.
- She founded the organisation Telangana Jagruthi in the year 2001.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. With reference to K. Kavitha, consider the following descriptions:
1. Daughter of K. Chandrashekar Rao.
2. A former Member of the Legislative Council from Nizamabad.
3. Founder of the cultural organisation Telangana Jagruthi.
4. A former Chief Minister of Telangana.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Daughter of K. Chandrashekar Rao.
- A former Member of the Legislative Council from Nizamabad.
- Founder of the cultural organisation Telangana Jagruthi.
- A former Chief Minister of Telangana.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q9. Under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which authority is empowered to decide a dispute between rival groups of a recognised political party staking rival claims to its name and symbol?
- A. The Election Commission of India
- B. The Supreme Court of India
- C. The jurisdictional High Court
- D. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice
Q10. Regarding the Election Commission's handling of intra-party disputes, consider the following statements:
1. Under Paragraph 15 of the 1968 Order, the Commission decides disputes over the name and symbol of a recognised party.
2. For a split within a registered but unrecognised party, the Commission usually advises the factions to settle internally or approach a court.
3. The Commission's power under Paragraph 15 was upheld by the Supreme Court in Sadiq Ali v. ECI (1971).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Under Paragraph 15 of the 1968 Order, the Commission decides disputes over the name and symbol of a recognised party.
- For a split within a registered but unrecognised party, the Commission usually advises the factions to settle internally or approach a court.
- The Commission's power under Paragraph 15 was upheld by the Supreme Court in Sadiq Ali v. ECI (1971).
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. With reference to registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) in India, consider the following:
1. Exemption from income tax under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
2. Allotment of a reserved (exclusive) election symbol.
3. Eligibility to nominate up to twenty 'star campaigners'.
4. Registration with the Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as applicable to a RUPP?
- Exemption from income tax under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Allotment of a reserved (exclusive) election symbol.
- Eligibility to nominate up to twenty 'star campaigners'.
- Registration with the Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- A. 1, 3 and 4
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q12. The Government of Telangana formed after the December 2023 Legislative Assembly election, which as of 2026 continues in office, is headed by a Chief Minister belonging to which party?
- A. Indian National Congress
- B. Bharat Rashtra Samithi
- C. Bharatiya Janata Party
- D. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen