Election of President Practice Questions
20 free Election of President practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution prescribes the manner of election of the President of India?
- A Article 52
- B Article 54
- C Article 55
- D Article 56
Correct answer: Article 55
While Article 54 deals with the Electoral College, Article 55 specifically prescribes the manner of election. It mandates that the election be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Who among the following does NOT participate in the election of the President of India?
- A Elected members of the Rajya Sabha
- B Nominated members of the Lok Sabha
- C Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States
- D Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry
Correct answer: Nominated members of the Lok Sabha
The electoral college consists only of elected members. Nominated members of both Houses of Parliament and nominated members of State Legislative Assemblies are excluded from the presidential election process.
The value of the vote of an MLA is determined by dividing the total population of the State by which of the following?
- A Total number of members in the State Legislative Assembly
- B Total number of elected members in the State Legislative Assembly multiplied by one hundred
- C Total number of elected members in the State Legislative Assembly multiplied by 1000
- D Total number of elected members in both Houses of Parliament
Correct answer: Total number of elected members in the State Legislative Assembly multiplied by 1000
To ensure uniformity among states, the vote value of an MLA is calculated as (Total Population of State / Total Number of Elected Members of State Legislative Assembly) × (1/1000). This formula balances the representation based on population.
Which census year's population data is currently used to determine the value of votes for the Presidential election in India?
- A 1951 Census
- B 1971 Census
- C 1991 Census
- D 2011 Census
Correct answer: 1971 Census
Under the 84th Amendment Act of 2001, the population for the purpose of the presidential election means the population as ascertained at the 1971 census. This freeze will remain in effect until the first census taken after the year 2026.
How is the 'Electoral Quota' calculated to declare a candidate elected in the Presidential election?
- A Majority of the members present and voting
- B (Total number of valid votes polled / 2) + 1
- C (Total number of valid votes polled / 3) + 1
- D Two-thirds of the total valid votes polled
Correct answer: (Total number of valid votes polled / 2) + 1
In the system of proportional representation, a candidate must secure a specific quota of votes to be declared elected. The quota is determined by dividing the total number of valid votes polled by (1 + 1) and adding 1 to the quotient.
Who acts as the Returning Officer for the Presidential election?
- A The Chief Election Commissioner
- B The Secretary-General of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
- C The Attorney General of India
- D The Speaker of the Lok Sabha as the presiding member
Correct answer: The Secretary-General of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
The Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are appointed as Returning Officers by rotation. This is a procedural tradition established under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act.
In the Presidential election, if a candidate does not secure the required quota in the first count, what is the next step?
- A Fresh elections are held immediately
- B The candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is eliminated
- C The candidate with the highest number of first-preference votes is declared winner
- D The Prime Minister nominates the President
Correct answer: The candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is eliminated
Under the single transferable vote system, if the quota isn't reached, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. Their second-preference votes are then transferred to the remaining candidates.
Which Constitutional Amendment allowed the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry to participate in the Presidential election?
- A 42nd Amendment
- B 44th Amendment
- C 69th Amendment
- D 70th Amendment
Correct answer: 70th Amendment
The 70th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, amended Article 54 to include the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry in the electoral college.
What happens to the value of an MP's vote if a State Legislative Assembly is dissolved at the time of the Presidential election?
- A The value of the MP's vote decreases proportionately
- B The Presidential election is postponed until the dissolved Assembly is fully reconstituted
- C The value of an MP's vote is unaffected by assembly dissolution
- D MPs from that specific state are barred from voting
Correct answer: The value of an MP's vote is unaffected by assembly dissolution
The value of an MP's vote is calculated by dividing the total value of votes of all MLAs of all states by the total number of elected members of Parliament. The dissolution of a state assembly does not change this mathematical calculation for the existing Parliament.
The Supreme Court of India decided in which case that the Presidential election cannot be postponed on the ground that a State Assembly is dissolved?
- A In re Presidential Poll case
- B Golaknath case
- C Kesavananda Bharati case
- D Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain case
Correct answer: In re Presidential Poll case
In its advisory opinion (In re Presidential Poll, 1974), the Supreme Court held that the election to the office of the President must be held before the expiration of the term. The dissolution of one or more legislative assemblies does not prevent the election from taking place.
Which of the following describes the 'Single Transferable Vote' system used in the Indian Presidential election?
- A Each voter is given only one vote and is allowed to select only one candidate
- B Each voter has as many votes as there are candidates
- C Voters mark their preferences (1, 2, 3...) against the names of candidates
- D Only the elected members of the ruling party are permitted to transfer their votes
Correct answer: Voters mark their preferences (1, 2, 3...) against the names of candidates
Voters do not just vote for one person but indicate their order of preference. If their first-choice candidate is eliminated, their vote is transferred to their second-choice candidate, ensuring a broader consensus.
If the Supreme Court declares the election of a President void, what is the status of the acts performed by the President before such a declaration?
- A All acts become automatically null and void
- B The acts remain valid and continue in full force
- C The acts must be ratified by the new President
- D The acts are suspended until Parliament approves them
Correct answer: The acts remain valid and continue in full force
According to Article 71 of the Constitution, acts done by the President in the exercise of their powers and duties are not invalidated by a judicial declaration that the election was void. This ensures administrative continuity.
What is the maximum value of a vote of an MLA in the Presidential election (as per 1971 census data)?
- A 708
- B 176
- C 208
- D 129
Correct answer: 208
The value of an MLA's vote varies by state based on population. Uttar Pradesh has the highest vote value per MLA, which is 208, while Sikkim has the lowest at 7.
What is the current fixed value of an MP's vote for the Presidential election (revised recently)?
- A 708
- B 700
- C 543
- D 250
Correct answer: 700
While historically the value was 708, due to changes in the number of seats and the exclusion of the J&K assembly, the value of an MP's vote was calculated at 700 for the 2022 Presidential election.
A dispute regarding the election of the President is exclusively heard by:
- A The Election Commission of India
- B The Delhi High Court
- C A Special Parliamentary Committee
- D The Supreme Court of India
Correct answer: The Supreme Court of India
Article 71 states that all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice-President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court, whose decision shall be final.
Why is the system of 'Proportional Representation' used for the Presidential election?
- A To ensure that the President is always elected by a simple majority of all votes cast
- B To give adequate representation to minority communities
- C To ensure the President commands majority support in the weighted vote system
- D To make the overall election process more efficient and faster
Correct answer: To ensure the President commands majority support in the weighted vote system
The aim of this weighted voting and preference system is to ensure that the President represents the will of both the Union and the States and is not just a nominee of the majority party in Parliament.
A person is NOT eligible for election as President if they hold an 'office of profit'. Which of the following is NOT considered an office of profit for this purpose?
- A Governor of a State
- B Minister of the Union or State
- C President or Vice-President of the Union
- D All of the above
Correct answer: All of the above
According to Article 58, a sitting President, Vice-President, Governor, or a Minister of the Union/State is not deemed to hold an office of profit for the purpose of qualification for the presidential election.
The Presidential election is conducted by which authority?
- A The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- B The Election Commission of India
- C The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
- D The Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Correct answer: The Election Commission of India
Article 324 of the Constitution vests the superintendence, direction, and control of the election to the office of the President in the Election Commission of India.
What is the primary reason for using 1971 census data instead of the latest census for the Presidential election?
- A To prevent States that implemented population control from losing electoral weight
- B Because the data from the most recent census has not been officially published yet
- C As a tribute to India's decisive 1971 war victory
- D To ensure the total number of elected MPs remains constant
Correct answer: To prevent States that implemented population control from losing electoral weight
The population freeze was implemented to prevent states with higher population growth from gaining more electoral weightage, thereby encouraging states to follow family planning and population control policies.
Can a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature contest for the office of the President?
- A No, they must be a sitting member
- B Yes, provided they are qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
- C Yes, provided they are qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha
- D Only if they are nominated by the Prime Minister
Correct answer: Yes, provided they are qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
Article 58 specifies that a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha. They do not need to be a sitting member at the time of nomination.