UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) New Delhi, 14-16 January 2026

Q1. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A biennial forum bringing together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth legislatures
  • B. An annual assembly of the Heads of Government of Commonwealth nations
  • C. A permanent standing committee of the Commonwealth Secretariat that vets parliamentary legislation
  • D. A quinquennial summit of the Presidents of the upper houses of G20 parliaments

Q2. With reference to the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), consider the following statements: 1. It was first convened in 1969 on the initiative of Lucien Lamoureux, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. 2. Since its inception, its secretariat has been provided by Canada. 3. It functions as a specialised subsidiary body of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). 4. It operates on a two-year cycle, with a Standing Committee meeting in the intervening year. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was first convened in 1969 on the initiative of Lucien Lamoureux, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada.
  2. Since its inception, its secretariat has been provided by Canada.
  3. It functions as a specialised subsidiary body of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
  4. It operates on a two-year cycle, with a Standing Committee meeting in the intervening year.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q3. The 28th CSPOC (New Delhi, January 2026) was hosted and organised on India's behalf by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Lok Sabha Secretariat
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Rajya Sabha Secretariat
  • D. India Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Q4. The 28th CSPOC held at New Delhi in January 2026 was convened under the chairmanship of which one of the following office-holders?

  • A. Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  • B. Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
  • C. Jagdeep Dhankhar, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
  • D. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons

Q5. The 28th CSPOC (2026) represents which occasion of India hosting the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth?

  • A. The fourth occasion on which India has hosted CSPOC
  • B. The very first time India has ever hosted CSPOC
  • C. The second occasion, India having hosted it only once before in 2010
  • D. The tenth occasion, India having hosted every alternate edition

Q6. Since the inception of CSPOC, the standing secretariat that supports the biennial conference and its Standing Committee has been provided by the Parliament of which one of the following countries?

  • A. Canada
  • B. United Kingdom
  • C. India
  • D. Australia

Q7. Regarding the handover of the CSPOC Chair at the close of the 28th Conference, consider the following: 1. The outgoing Chair was Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha. 2. The incoming Chair was Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons. 3. The handover took place on 16 January 2026. 4. The incoming Chair was the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The outgoing Chair was Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
  2. The incoming Chair was Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons.
  3. The handover took place on 16 January 2026.
  4. The incoming Chair was the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q8. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to whom the Chair of CSPOC was handed over at the end of the 28th Conference, holds which one of the following offices?

  • A. Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom
  • B. Lord Speaker of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom
  • C. Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada
  • D. Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Q9. With reference to the venue of the 28th CSPOC, consider the following statements: 1. 'Samvidhan Sadan' is the name given to the old Parliament building, distinct from the new Parliament building. 2. The old Parliament building was renamed Samvidhan Sadan in September 2023. 3. The 28th CSPOC inaugural session was held in the Central Hall of the new Parliament building. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 'Samvidhan Sadan' is the name given to the old Parliament building, distinct from the new Parliament building.
  2. The old Parliament building was renamed Samvidhan Sadan in September 2023.
  3. The 28th CSPOC inaugural session was held in the Central Hall of the new Parliament building.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. With reference to the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, the venue of the 28th CSPOC inauguration, consider the following statements: 1. It was the venue where the Constituent Assembly of India met and adopted the Constitution. 2. The building housing it was renamed Samvidhan Sadan in 2023. 3. Since its construction, the building has never been used for any purpose other than housing the sittings of Parliament. 4. The inaugural session of the 28th CSPOC in 2026 was held there. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was the venue where the Constituent Assembly of India met and adopted the Constitution.
  2. The building housing it was renamed Samvidhan Sadan in 2023.
  3. Since its construction, the building has never been used for any purpose other than housing the sittings of Parliament.
  4. The inaugural session of the 28th CSPOC in 2026 was held there.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 only

Q11. With reference to the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) hosted by India, consider the following statements: 1. It was the ninth edition of the G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit. 2. It was held at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi. 3. Its theme was 'Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future'. 4. It was inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was the ninth edition of the G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit.
  2. It was held at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi.
  3. Its theme was 'Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
  4. It was inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q12. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A global organisation of national parliaments, founded in 1889, open to sovereign states worldwide
  • B. A body exclusively of the Speakers of Commonwealth legislatures established in 1969
  • C. An association founded in 1911 that is restricted solely to the parliaments of Commonwealth countries
  • D. A forum whose membership is confined only to the parliaments of the G20 nations