UPSC Themes

UPSC CSE Mains 2026 · GS2

Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters (150 words)?

Theme

T98 Elections & electoral reforms: RPA, ECI, MCC, ONOE, EVMs

What UPSC asks in this theme

A repeated theme: corrupt practices under RPA and disproportionate assets, election disputes and grounds for voiding, disqualification and remedies, ECI and MCC, ONOE, EVM trust, ECI's 2016 reforms, voting as a right and voter-roll revision.

What to cover

Writing the answer

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 10 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

More PYQs from this theme

  1. GS2202510 marks

    Discuss the 'corrupt practices' for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known sources of income, would constitute undue influence and consequently a corrupt practice.

  2. GS2202410 marks

    Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to "one nation – one election" principle.

  3. GS2202215 marks

    Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? Refer to the case laws

  4. GS2202215 marks

    Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.

  5. GS22020

    “There is a need for simplification of procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of Peoples Act”. Comment.

  6. GS22019

    On what grounds a people’s representative can be disqualified under the Representation of People Act, 1951? Also mention the remedies available to such person against his disqualification.

  7. GS22018

    In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?

  8. GS22017

    ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.

  9. GS22017

    To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?

All 20 GS2 2026 questions · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations · Report a typo