UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Poll body transfers top bureaucrats, senior police officers in West Bengal

Q1. In the context of Indian general/assembly elections, what is the 'Model Code of Conduct' (MCC)?

  • A. A statutory code enacted by Parliament under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that criminalises specified electoral malpractices
  • B. A set of guidelines evolved by consensus among political parties and enforced by the Election Commission of India, which becomes operative from the date of announcement of the election schedule
  • C. A constitutional schedule appended to the Constitution of India that lists conduct rules binding on Union and State governments during election periods
  • D. A protocol framed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with State governments that regulates the deployment of central forces during polls

Q2. Which authority issued the March 2026 orders transferring the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner of West Bengal hours after the announcement of the State Assembly election schedule?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
  • B. Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
  • C. Election Commission of India
  • D. Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India

Q3. In how many phases was polling for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election scheduled by the Election Commission of India?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q4. Following the Election Commission of India's March 2026 orders, who was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of West Bengal — the highest-ranking civil servant in the State?

  • A. Sanghamitra Ghosh
  • B. Dushyant Nariala
  • C. Siddh Nath Gupta
  • D. Ajay Mukund Ranade

Q5. With reference to the Election Commission of India's March 2026 administrative actions in West Bengal as compared with its general powers, consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India's authority to direct the transfer and posting of officials connected with the conduct of elections is derived from Article 324 of the Constitution. 2. The Model Code of Conduct becomes operative only after the gazette notification calling each phase of poll, and not upon announcement of the election schedule. 3. In March 2026, in addition to the Chief Secretary, the Election Commission of India also transferred the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner of West Bengal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Election Commission of India's authority to direct the transfer and posting of officials connected with the conduct of elections is derived from Article 324 of the Constitution.
  2. The Model Code of Conduct becomes operative only after the gazette notification calling each phase of poll, and not upon announcement of the election schedule.
  3. In March 2026, in addition to the Chief Secretary, the Election Commission of India also transferred the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner of West Bengal.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3
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