Which one of the following best describes the electoral system of India ?
- A.First-Past-the-Post System
- B.Proportional Representation
- C.Mixed System
- D.General Ticket
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, First-Past-the-Post System. In Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even without a majority.
India is divided into single-member territorial constituencies. Each voter casts one vote, and whoever gets more votes than any other candidate is elected; this is also called the simple plurality system. The framers chose it because it is easy for voters to understand, gives a clear winner in each area and tends to produce stable governments. Proportional representation through the single transferable vote is used only for indirect elections, such as those of the President, the Vice-President and the Rajya Sabha.
B is wrong: proportional representation is limited to these indirect elections and is not the main system.
C is wrong: India does not combine constituency seats with party-list seats, as Germany does.
D is wrong: a general ticket gives all the seats of a multi-member area to one party's list; India does not use it.
Exam tip: Lok Sabha and Assemblies use first-past-the-post; President, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha use proportional representation by single transferable vote.
Practice Questions
View allWhich law prescribes that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in English language ?
- A.Article 145 of the Constitution of India
- B.Article 348 of the Constitution of India
- C.The Supreme Court Rules, 1966
- D.An Act passed by the Parliament
Show answer
Article 348(1)(a) says that, until Parliament by law provides otherwise, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English language.
Read the full explanation →Which among the following writs is issued to quash the order of a Court or Tribunal?
- A.Mandamus
- B.Prohibition
- C.Quo Warranto
- D.Certiorari
Show answer
Certiorari, meaning 'to be certified' or 'to be informed', is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to transfer a case or to quash an order it has already passed.
Read the full explanation →Article 371 A of the Constitution of India provides special privileges to
- A.Nagaland
- B.Mizoram
- C.Sikkim
- D.Manipur
Show answer
Article 371A gives Nagaland special protection for Naga religious and social practices, customary law and the ownership of land and its resources.
Read the full explanation →Political analysis involves both normative and empirical approaches. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the two approaches? 1. Knowledge acquired through the empirical approach is value-loaded. 2. Knowledge acquired through the normative approach is objectively neutral. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Both statements reverse the two approaches: empirical knowledge aims to be value-free, while normative knowledge is value-loaded. The empirical approach studies politics as it is.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements related to below mentioned Committees of the Parliament is correct?
- A.The Rajya Sabha elects more members than the Lok Sabha to the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- B.The Chairperson of the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C.Members nominated by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are more in number than Members nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on the Committee on Empowerment of Women
- D.The Rajya Sabha elects more members than the Lok Sabha to the Public Accounts Committee
Show answer
The Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes is a joint committee whose Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among its members.
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