NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government. ✅ True
b) People select the representative of their choice in an election. ✅ True
c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary. ❌ False
d) People can indicate which policies they prefer. ✅ True
Q2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
a) India has the largest number of voters in the world. ❌ Not a valid reason.
b) India’s Election Commission is very powerful. ✅ Valid.
c) In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote. ✅ Valid.
d) In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict. ✅ Valid.
Q3. Match the following:
a) It is necessary to keep the voters’ list up to date → (iv) Some people may have moved away from the area.
b) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that → (i) There is fair representation of all sections.
c) Everyone has one and only one vote so that → (ii) Everyone has equal opportunity to elect.
d) Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because → (iii) All candidates must have a fair chance.
Q4. List all election-related activities in sequence.
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Making of voters’ list
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Announcing election schedule
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Filing nominations
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Releasing election manifestos
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Election campaign
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Casting of votes
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Counting of votes
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Declaration of results
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Ordering of repoll (if required)
Q5. Suppose Surekha is an election officer. What should she focus on?
a) Election campaign – Ensure parties follow Model Code of Conduct, no bribery or misuse of power.
b) Polling day – Ensure free and fair voting, no rigging or intimidation, secrecy of ballot maintained.
c) Counting day – Ensure accurate and transparent counting in presence of agents.
Q6. Should the US have reservations in Congress?
Answer: Yes, because Blacks and Hispanics are underrepresented compared to their population. A system of reservation would ensure inclusiveness and fair representation, like India’s SC/ST reservations.
Q7. Can we draw these conclusions?
a) ECI does not have enough powers → ❌ Wrong, it has very wide powers.
b) High participation in elections → ✅ True, turnout in India is higher than many countries.
c) Easy for ruling party to win → ❌ Wrong, ruling parties often lose.
d) Many reforms are needed → ✅ True, issues like money power, criminalisation remain.
Q8. Chinappa and Satbir were disqualified. Does it go against democracy?
→ No, it supports democracy. People guilty of crimes like dowry torture and untouchability should not contest. It ensures clean politics.
Q9. Reports of malpractices:
a) Nigeria – Counting manipulation → Learn from India’s independent EC and transparency.
b) Fiji – Threats to voters → Learn from India’s law against intimidation.
c) USA – Different state procedures → Learn from India’s uniform nationwide election system.
Q10. Malpractices in India:
a) Minister promising aid → Misuse of government position. Correct: Model Code of Conduct enforcement.
b) Opposition denied media → Bias in coverage. Correct: Ensure equal access.
c) Fake names in rolls → Flawed voter list. Correct: Regular updates and verification.
d) Party hoodlums with guns → Violence. Correct: Strong police and EC monitoring.
Q11. Correct Ramesh’s misconceptions:
a) Women always vote as told → ❌ Wrong. Women make independent choices.
b) Elections by consensus, not competition → ❌ Wrong. Competition ensures accountability.
c) Only graduates should contest → ❌ Wrong. Democracy allows equal opportunity.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the role of the Election Commission of India.
Answer (150 words):
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional body that conducts elections. It supervises Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state assemblies, and presidential elections. It ensures free and fair elections by preparing voter lists, monitoring campaigns, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, and preventing misuse of power. It can order repolls, transfer officials, and punish violators. Its independence is protected by the Constitution, making it a strong guardian of democracy.
Q2. Describe the election process in India step by step.
Answer (160 words):
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Constituencies are demarcated.
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Voters’ list is prepared and updated.
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Candidates file nominations with security deposits.
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Election campaigns are conducted, parties release manifestos.
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Polling takes place using EVMs, voters cast votes secretly.
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Counting is done under EC supervision.
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Results are declared, winners form government.
This process ensures participation, fairness, and accountability.
Q3. What are the major challenges of Indian elections?
Answer (150 words):
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Use of money power.
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Criminalisation of politics.
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Family dominance in parties.
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Unequal playing field for independents.
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Misuse of government resources.
Despite these, Indian elections remain largely free and fair. Reforms like stricter expenditure limits, banning criminals, and more transparency are needed.
Q4. Why are elections considered essential in a democracy?
Answer (150 words):
Elections are the means through which people choose representatives, change governments, and influence policies. They ensure accountability, equality (one person, one vote), and peaceful transfer of power. Without elections, democracy cannot function. They act as a mechanism for people’s consent and provide legitimacy to the government.
Q5. “Elections in India are both free and fair but face limitations.” Discuss.
Answer (160 words):
Indian elections are largely free and fair due to the independent Election Commission, universal franchise, secret ballot, and regular participation. Ruling parties often lose, showing fairness. However, limitations exist: money power, muscle power, fake voters, and lack of choice. Thus, while the system is democratic, reforms are needed to make it fully fair.
MCQs
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Who conducts elections in India?
(a) President (b) Parliament (c) Election Commission (d) Prime Minister
Answer: (c) -
Minimum age to vote in India is:
(a) 16 (b) 18 (c) 21 (d) 25
Answer: (b) -
Minimum age to contest elections in India:
(a) 18 (b) 21 (c) 25 (d) 30
Answer: (c) -
What is an electoral roll?
(a) Candidate list (b) Voters’ list (c) Party list (d) None
Answer: (b) -
Lok Sabha constituencies in India:
(a) 500 (b) 543 (c) 550 (d) 552
Answer: (b) -
Reserved Lok Sabha seats for SCs:
(a) 84 (b) 47 (c) 100 (d) 90
Answer: (a) -
Reserved Lok Sabha seats for STs:
(a) 84 (b) 47 (c) 60 (d) 75
Answer: (b) -
Model Code of Conduct prevents use of:
(a) Religion, caste (b) Money, bribery (c) Government resources (d) All of these
Answer: (d) -
Who can order a repoll?
(a) Government (b) Election Commission (c) High Court (d) President
Answer: (b) -
Which voting system is used in India?
(a) Open ballot (b) Secret ballot (c) Lottery (d) None
Answer: (b) -
When was EVM first used?
(a) 1977 (b) 1982 (c) 2004 (d) 1999
Answer: (b) (Kerala, 1982) -
A by-election means:
(a) National election (b) State election (c) Election for one seat due to vacancy (d) None
Answer: (c) -
Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by:
(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Parliament (d) Judiciary
Answer: (b) -
Which law caps candidate spending in Lok Sabha elections?
(a) Representation of People Act (b) Election Reform Act (c) Parliament Act (d) None
Answer: (a) -
Election day is when voters:
(a) Count votes (b) Cast votes (c) Campaign (d) File nomination
Answer: (b) -
Independent candidates are given:
(a) Party ticket (b) Party symbol (c) EC allotted symbol (d) None
Answer: (c) -
“Garibi Hatao” slogan was given in:
(a) 1967 (b) 1971 (c) 1977 (d) 1980
Answer: (b) -
“Save Democracy” slogan was given in:
(a) 1977 (b) 1980 (c) 1984 (d) 1991
Answer: (a) -
Which organisation introduced EPIC (Voter ID)?
(a) EC (b) Parliament (c) Supreme Court (d) PMO
Answer: (a) -
Who supervises polling inside booths?
(a) Police (b) Candidate agents (c) Election officials (d) All of these
Answer: (d)
Fill in the Blanks
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India has 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.
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Election Commission of India conducts elections.
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Minimum age to contest elections is 25 years.
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The voters’ list is also called the electoral roll.
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84 seats in Lok Sabha are reserved for SCs.
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47 seats are reserved for STs.
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The ruling party cannot use government resources for campaigning.
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EVMs are used for voting in India.
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The process of holding elections in one seat due to vacancy is called by-election.
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Model Code of Conduct guides election campaigns.