Indian General Elections play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future, making it crucial to understand the process behind them. So, here are 50 key multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to increase your knowledge regarding the Indian General Election process.
Whether you are a political enthusiast or a student and preparing for competitive exams, understanding how the world’s largest democracy (India) functions is important for all of you. These MCQs cover a wide spectrum of topics such as the election procedure, rights of voters, major events and political parties. Let’s get into the key MCQs regarding Indian General Elections.
Key MCQs about the General Election of India
1. What is the maximum term of the Lok Sabha in India?
A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years
D. 3 years
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, has a maximum term of five years unless dissolved earlier.
2. What is the primary electoral body in India?
A. Election Committee
B. Central Voting Commission
C. Election Commission of India
D. Parliamentary Voting Board
➥ Show Answer
Details: The ECI is the constitutional, independent authority that deals with India’s election management.
3. How many seats are there in the Lok Sabha?
A. 545
B. 500
C. 600
D. 750
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha can have up to 545 members out of which as many as 543 are elected and 2 are nominated by the President.
4. Which voting system is used in Indian general elections?
A. First Past the Post
B. Proportional Representation
C. Single Transferable Vote
D. Mixed Electoral System
➥ Show Answer
Details: India follows the first-past the post system in which in every constituency, the candidate who secures the most number of votes is declared the winner.
5. How often are Indian general elections held?
A. Every 4 years
B. Every 5 years
C. Every 6 years
D. Every 7 years
➥ Show Answer
Details: General elections in India are conducted every five years unless early elections are called or the Lok Sabha is dissolved prematurely.
6. Who is eligible to vote in Indian general elections?
A. Indian citizens aged 16 and above
B. Indian citizens aged 18 and above
C. All residents of India
D. Citizens of India and Nepal
➥ Show Answer
Details: Every citizen of India above the age of 18 is entitled to vote in elections and must be registered in the electoral roll.
7. When was the first general election held in India?
A. 1950
B. 1952
C. 1947
D. 1955
➥ Show Answer
Details: The first general elections were held in India in 1951–1952, after the country gained independence in 1947 and adopted its Constitution in 1950.
8. What is the role of the President of India during general elections?
A. Conducting elections
B. Dissolving the Lok Sabha
C. Declaring election results
D. Voting in the elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The President of India dissolves the Lok Sabha upon the advice of the Prime Minister before a general election.
9. Which government agency is responsible for issuing voter ID cards in India?
A. Unique Identification Authority of India
B. Election Commission of India
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Central Bureau of Elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission of India issues Voter ID cards, which are required for identification during voting.
10. How many phases were there in the 2019 Indian general elections?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
➥ Show Answer
Details: The 2019 general elections were conducted over seven phases between April and May to accommodate the vast voter base and logistical requirements.
11. Which house of the Indian Parliament is formed through general elections?
A. Rajya Sabha
B. Lok Sabha
C. Vidhan Sabha
D. Legislative Council
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, is directly elected through general elections.
12. What is the model code of conduct during Indian elections?
A. Guidelines for political parties and candidates
B. Rules for media coverage
C. Regulations for election officials
D. Procedures for electronic voting
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Model Code of Conduct provides guidelines on ethical behavior for political parties and candidates in the conduct of election.
13. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
A. The Prime Minister
B. The President of India
C. The Parliament
D. The Supreme Court
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President, who controls and manages the process of election in the whole country.
14. What is the maximum number of candidates a voter can choose in a single-member constituency?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
➥ Show Answer
Details: In single-member constituencies, voters can cast their vote for only one candidate.
15. Which article of the Indian Constitution mandates the Election Commission?
A. Article 324
B. Article 256
C. Article 340
D. Article 275
➥ Show Answer
Details: Article 324 of the Indian Constitution established the Election Commission of India and vested it with the power of holding elections.
16. How many states participated in the first Indian general elections?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
➥ Show Answer
Details: In 1951–52, 20 states and union territories participated in India’s first general elections.
17. What is NOT a function of the Election Commission of India?
A. Conducting general elections
B. Resolving electoral disputes
C. Forming government policies
D. Overseeing state elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission conducts elections and settles disputes but does not formulate or influence government policies.
18. Which state sends the highest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha?
A. Maharashtra
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Bihar
➥ Show Answer
Details: Uttar Pradesh sends the largest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha due to its population, currently with 80 seats.
19. Which system is used to count votes in Indian elections?
A. Paper Ballot Counting
B. Mixed Ballot Counting
C. Electronic Voting Machines
D. Automated Ballot Readers
➥ Show Answer
Details: India makes use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) so that the counting of votes in the election is accurate and rapid.
20. What is the maximum term of the Lok Sabha in India?
A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years
D. 3 years
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, has a maximum term of five years unless dissolved earlier.
21. What is the primary electoral body in India?
A. Election Committee
B. Central Voting Commission
C. Election Commission of India
D. Parliamentary Voting Board
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in India.
22. How many seats are there in the Lok Sabha?
A. 545
B. 500
C. 600
D. 750
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha has a total of 545 seats, comprising up to 543 elected representatives and 2 members appointed by the President.
23. Which voting system is used in Indian general elections?
A. First Past the Post
B. Proportional Representation
C. Single Transferable Vote
D. Mixed Electoral System
➥ Show Answer
Details: India follows the First Past the Post System, whereby the candidate who manages to secure the highest votes in a constituency wins.
24. How often are Indian general elections held?
A. Every 4 years
B. Every 5 years
C. Every 6 years
D. Every 7 years
➥ Show Answer
Details: General elections in India are held every five years unless early elections are called or the Lok Sabha is dissolved prematurely.
25. Who is eligible to vote in Indian general elections?
A. Indian citizens aged 16 and above
B. Indian citizens aged 18 and above
C. All residents of India
D. Citizens of India and Nepal
➥ Show Answer
Details: Every Indian citizen aged 18 or older is eligible to vote in elections, provided they are registered on the electoral roll.
26. When was the first general election held in India?
A. 1950
B. 1952
C. 1947
D. 1955
➥ Show Answer
Details: India’s first general elections were held in 1951–1952, after the country gained independence in 1947 and adopted its Constitution in 1950.
27. What is the role of the President of India during general elections?
A. Conducting elections
B. Dissolving the Lok Sabha
C. Declaring election results
D. Voting in the elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The President of India dissolves the Lok Sabha upon the advice of the Prime Minister before a general election.
27. Which government agency is responsible for issuing voter ID cards in India?
A. Unique Identification Authority of India
B. Election Commission of India
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Central Bureau of Elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission of India issues Voter ID cards, which are required for identification during voting.
28. How many phases were there in the 2019 Indian general elections?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
➥ Show Answer
Details: The 2019 general elections were conducted in seven phases between April and May, considering the enormous voter base and the logistical requirements.
29. Which house of the Indian Parliament is formed through general elections?
A. Rajya Sabha
B. Lok Sabha
C. Vidhan Sabha
D. Legislative Council
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, is directly elected through general elections.
30. What is the model code of conduct during Indian elections?
A. Guidelines for political parties and candidates
B. Rules for media coverage
C. Regulations for election officials
D. Procedures for electronic voting
➥ Show Answer
Details: Model Code of Conduct: It provides ethical guidelines to political parties and candidates about their actions while conducting the elections free from malpractices.
31. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
A. The Prime Minister
B. The President of India
C. The Parliament
D. The Supreme Court
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by the President and supervises the country-wide election process.
32. What is the maximum number of candidates a voter can choose in a single-member constituency?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
➥ Show Answer
Details: In single-member constituencies, voters can cast their vote for only one candidate.
33. Which article of the Indian Constitution mandates the Election Commission?
A. Article 324
B. Article 256
C. Article 340
D. Article 275
➥ Show Answer
Details: Article 324 of the Indian Constitution establishes the Election Commission and grants it the power to supervise elections.
34. How many states participated in the first Indian general elections?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
➥ Show Answer
Details: In 1951–52, 20 states and union territories participated in India’s first general elections.
35. What is NOT a function of the Election Commission of India?
A. Conducting general elections
B. Resolving electoral disputes
C. Forming government policies
D. Overseeing state elections
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission conducts elections and resolves disputes but does not form or influence government policies.
36. Which state sends the highest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha?
A. Maharashtra
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Bihar
➥ Show Answer
Details: Uttar Pradesh sends the largest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha due to its population, currently with 80 seats.
37. Which system is used to count votes in Indian elections?
A. Paper Ballot Counting
B. Mixed Ballot Counting
C. Electronic Voting Machines
D. Automated Ballot Readers
➥ Show Answer
Details: India uses Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for vote counting to ensure accuracy and speed in the election process.
38. Which is the longest phase in Indian general elections?
A. Campaigning phase
B. Polling phase
C. Vote counting phase
D. Nomination phase
➥ Show Answer
Details: The polling phase in Indian general elections is often the longest due to staggered voting across states to ensure security and logistics.
39. Which authority sets the election dates for Lok Sabha elections?
A. Supreme Court
B. President of India
C. Election Commission of India
D. Ministry of Home Affairs
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission of India decides and announces the dates for Lok Sabha elections after assessing logistical readiness.
40. Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the Election Commission of India?
A. Article 324
B. Article 326
C. Article 330
D. Article 336
➥ Show Answer
Details: Article 324 of the Constitution empowers the Election Commission to supervise, direct, and control elections in India.
41. Which is the largest constituency in India by the number of voters?
A. Malkajgiri
B. Mumbai North
C. Ghaziabad
D. Chandni Chowk
➥ Show Answer
Details: Malkajgiri in Telangana has one of the highest numbers of voters among Lok Sabha constituencies in India.
42. How is the Prime Minister of India elected after general elections?
A. Direct vote by citizens
B. By the members of the Lok Sabha
C. By the President of India
D. By the Chief Election Commissioner
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Prime Minister is elected by the Lok Sabha members from the party or coalition with the majority.
43. Which app was launched to report election code violations in India?
A. ElectionMonitor
B. VoterConnect
C. cVIGIL
D. eWatch
➥ Show Answer
Details: The Election Commission launched the cVIGIL app to allow voters to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
44. Which factor can disqualify a candidate from contesting in Indian elections?
A. Non-payment of taxes
B. Conviction for an offense with imprisonment of 2+ years
C. Loss in previous elections
D. Lack of campaign funds
➥ Show Answer
Details: As per the Representation of the People Act, a person convicted of an offense with imprisonment of 2+ years is disqualified from contesting elections.
45. How are Reserved Constituencies decided in India?
A. Based on voter density
B. Based on the population of Scheduled Castes and Tribes
C. By party majority in the area
D. By the President’s discretion
➥ Show Answer
Details: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reserved constituencies are allocated based on the population of census data.
46. What percentage of voter turnout was recorded in the 2019 Indian general elections?
A. 55%
B. 62%
C. 67%
D. 70%
➥ Show Answer
Details: The 2019 general elections recorded a voter turnout of 67%, the highest in India’s electoral history.
47. How many recognized national parties participated in the 2019 general elections?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
➥ Show Answer
Details: Seven recognized national parties, including BJP and Congress, contested in the 2019 general elections.
48. What is the maximum limit of election spending for a Lok Sabha candidate in major states?
A. ₹50 lakh
B. ₹70 lakh
C. ₹1 crore
D. ₹80 lakh
➥ Show Answer
Details: The biggest state-specific limit, that for Uttar Pradesh, is ₹80 lakh, set by the Election Commission as the maximum election spending for a Lok Sabha candidate.
49. Which voting system is used in India for Lok Sabha elections?
A. Proportional representation
B. First-past-the-post
C. Mixed-member proportional
D. Alternative vote
➥ Show Answer
Details: India uses the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
50. Which was the first state to use VVPATs in India?
A. Gujarat
B. Kerala
C. Tripura
D. Nagaland
➥ Show Answer
Details: VVPATs were first used in a by-election in Nagaland in 2013 to increase voter confidence in EVMs.
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It is really informational. Could you please also write about provincial elections too?
Yes sure.