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Prelims 2017 paper

UPSC CSE Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I · Question 90 · Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodies

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Question 90 — Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodies.

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

  1. 1.भारत का निर्वाचन आयोग पाँच-सदस्यीय निकाय है ।
  2. 2.संघ का गृह मंत्रालय, आम चुनाव और उप-चुनावों दोनों के लिए चुनाव कार्यक्रम तय करता है ।
  3. 3.निर्वाचन आयोग मान्यता-प्राप्त राजनीतिक दलों के विभाजन/विलय से संबंधित विवाद निपटाता है ।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं ?

Read this question in English

Consider the following statements:

1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.

2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.

3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only · (b) 2 only · (c) 2 and 3 only · (d) 3 only

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (d) केवल 3

Only statement 3 is correct. The Election Commission itself, not the Home Ministry, fixes election schedules, it is not a five-member body, and the Symbols Order gives it the power to decide disputes over splits and mergers of recognised parties.

  • ✗ 1. Article 324 provides for a Chief Election Commissioner and such other Election Commissioners as the President fixes. In practice the Commission is a three-member body, the CEC and two Election Commissioners, with equal powers.
  • ✗ 2. The Election Commission determines the timing of elections and prepares the election schedule. The Home Ministry does not decide it.
  • ✓ 3. Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 lets the Commission decide which rival group of a recognised party is that party, and paragraph 16 deals with amalgamation of parties. Its decision on rival groups is binding.

Remember · The Election Commission fixes election schedules, is a three-member body (CEC plus two ECs), and settles party-split disputes under para 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968.

📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 3 (practise this chapter) · Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 3 (practise this chapter)

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2017, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE Prelims 2017, Q90 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2017/q90

In the UPSC syllabus: Constitutional, statutory & regulatory bodies › Election Commission, UPSC, CAG & Finance Commission See it and tick it covered →

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