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Q90 (IAS/2017) Polity & Governance › Constitutional & Statutory Bodies › Election Commission of India Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D (Statement 3 only).

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** The Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.[1] The CEC and the two Election Commissioners have equal powers to take all decisions relating to elections as a collective body.[2]

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the Election Commission of India is vested with the power of superintendence, direction and control of conducting the elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.[1] The Election Commission notifies the dates and schedules of elections and scrutinizes nomination papers.[3] The Union Ministry of Home Affairs does not decide the election schedule.

**Statement 3 is correct:** The Election Commission acts as a court for settling disputes related to granting of recognition to political parties and allotment of election symbols to them.[3] This includes resolving disputes relating to splits and mergers of recognised political parties.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION MACHINERy3, > p. 573
  2. [2] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 69
  3. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 43: Election Commission > POWERS AND FUNCTIONS > p. 421
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decide…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a non-negotiable 'Sitter'. The question tests fundamental Polity facts found in the first few pages of the Election Commission chapter in Laxmikanth. Getting this wrong indicates a critical gap in core static syllabus preparation.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
How many members are there in the Election Commission of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION MACHINERy3, > p. 573
Presence: 5/5
“~ELECTION MACHINERy3, Election Commission of India (ECI) Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the Election Commission of India is vested with the power of superintendence, direction and control of conducting the elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. The Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) The Chief Electoral Officer of a State/Union Thrritory is authorised to supervise the election work in the State/Union Thrritory subject to the overall superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission of India.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states the Election Commission of India is a 'three-member body'.
  • Specifies composition: one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 69
Presence: 4/5
“Commissioner and the other Commissioners about who had how much power. The matter had to be settled by the Supreme Court. Now there is a general consensus that a multi-member Election Commission is more appropriate as power is shared and there is greater accountability. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) presides over the Election Commission, but does not have more powers than the other Election Commissioners. The CEC and the two Election Commissioners have equal powers to take all decisions relating to elections as a collective body. They are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Council of Ministers.”
Why this source?
  • Refers to the Chief Election Commissioner and 'the two Election Commissioners', confirming three members.
  • States that the CEC and the two Election Commissioners act as a collective body with equal powers, implying a three-member composition.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 68
Presence: 3/5
“The Supreme Court has agreed with this interpretation of the Constitution. To assist the Election Commission of India there is a Chief Electoral Officer in every state. The Election Commission is not responsible for the conduct of local body elections. As we shall study in the chapter on Local Government, the State Election Commissioners work independently of the Election Commission of India and each has its own sphere of operation. The Election Commission of India can either be a single member or a multi-member body. Till 1989, the Election Commission was single member. Just before the 1989 general elections, two Election Commissioners were appointed, making the body multi-member.”
Why this source?
  • Explains the Commission can be single-member or multi-member and notes a change when two Election Commissioners were appointed (context for a multi-member body).
  • Provides historical context that supports understanding why the Commission may be a multi-member body (i.e., currently three).
Statement 2
Which authority decides the election schedule for the conduct of general elections and bye-elections in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION PROCESSs > p. 574
Presence: 5/5
“The Constitution states that there can be no longer than six months between the last session of the dissolved Lok Sabha and the recalling of the new House, so elections have to be concluded before the end. The Election Commission normally announces the schedule of elections in a few major press conferences a few weeks before the formal process is set in motion. The Model Code of Conduct for guidance of candidates and political parties comes immediately into effect after such announcement. The formal process for the elections starts with the Notification or Notifi cations calling upon the electorate to elect Members of a HOLise.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that the Election Commission normally announces the schedule of elections.
  • Links the announcement of schedule with the formal start of the election process and the coming into effect of the Model Code of Conduct.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 37: First General Elections > First General Elections ✫ 629 > p. 629
Presence: 5/5
“of the day. Under Article 324, the Election Commission of India has been vested with the power of the superintendence, direction and control of the entire process for conduct of elections to Parliament and legislature of every state and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India. The Election Commission had to do a lot of ground work before the first polls were held.”
Why this source?
  • Cites Article 324 vesting the Election Commission with superintendence, direction and control of the entire election process.
  • Constitutional empowerment implies authority to determine the election schedule as part of 'direction and control'.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Special majority > p. 70
Presence: 4/5
“The election schedule includes the notification of elections, date from which nominations can be filed, last date for filing nominations, last date of scrutiny, last date of withdrawal, date of polling and date of counting and declaration of results.• ± During this entire process, the Election Commission has the power to take decisions to ensure a free and fair poll. It can postpone or cancel the election in the entire country or a specific State or constituency on the grounds that the atmosphere is vitiated and therefore, a free and fair election may not be possible. The Commission also implements a model code of conduct for parties and candidates.”
Why this source?
  • Defines what the election schedule contains (notification, nomination dates, polling, counting) and states the Election Commission has power to take decisions during the entire process.
  • States the Commission can postpone or cancel elections — indicating control over scheduling and timing.
Statement 3
Does the Election Commission of India have the authority to resolve disputes relating to splits and mergers of recognised political parties in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 43: Election Commission > POWERS AND FUNCTIONS > p. 421
Presence: 4/5
“To prepare and periodically revise electoral rolls and to register all eligible voters. • 3. notify the dates and schedules of elections and to scrutinise nomination papers. • 4. grant recognition to political parties and allot election symbols to them. • 5. act as a court for settling disputes related to granting of recognition to political parties and allotment of election symbols to them. • 6. appoint officers for enquiring into disputes relating to electoral arrangements. The Election Commission is assisted by deputy election commissioners. They are drawn from the civil service and appointed by the commission with a tenure system .”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Election Commission 'act as a court for settling disputes related to granting of recognition to political parties and allotment of election symbols'.
  • Authority to settle disputes about recognition/symbols is directly relevant when party splits or mergers affect recognition or symbol entitlement.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL AND STATE PARTIES > p. 567
Presence: 4/5
“The Election Commission registers political parties for the purpose of elections and grants them recognition as national or state parties on the basis of their poll performance. The other parties are simply declared as registered/unrecognised parties. Therecognition granted by the Commission to the parties determines their right to certain privileges like allocation of the party symbols, provision of time for political broadcasts on the state-owned television and radio stations and access to electoral rolls. Every national party is allotted a symbol exclusively reserved for its use throughout the country. - Similarly, every state party is allotted a symbol exclusively reserved for its use in the state or states in which it is so recognised.”
Why this source?
  • Describes that the Election Commission 'registers political parties' and 'grants them recognition' which determines privileges like exclusive symbols.
  • Shows that recognition and symbol allocation (subjects of dispute) fall within the Commission's domain.
Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > National parties > p. 53
Presence: 3/5
“While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol – only the offi cial candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are 'recognised' by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why these parties are called, 'recognised political parties'. The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria of the proportion of votes and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.”
Why this source?
  • Explains the Commission has detailed criteria for recognising parties (vote/seat thresholds), linking recognition to electoral performance.
  • When splits/mergers affect meeting these recognition criteria, the Commission's role in recognition becomes central to resolving resulting disputes.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently tests the 'Separation of Powers' logic. They check if you understand that the ECI is an independent constitutional body, not a department under the Home Ministry.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hits from Laxmikanth (Chapter: Election Commission) and NCERT Class XI (Constitution at Work).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Constitutional Bodies > Article 324 > Independence and Powers of the ECI.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize: 1) Removal difference (CEC = SC Judge; ECs = Rec of CEC). 2) RPA 1951 Sec 29A (Registration of parties). 3) ECI can register but *cannot* deregister parties (except for fraud). 4) Model Code kicks in immediately upon schedule announcement.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Always verify 'Ministry' names in statements. UPSC loves the 'Ministry Swap' trap. For elections, Article 324 was designed specifically to remove Executive (Home Ministry) control.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Composition of the Election Commission (CEC + two Election Commissioners)
💡 The insight

Directly answers the question about the number of members by naming the Chief Election Commissioner plus two Election Commissioners.

High-yield factual concept often tested in polity questions. Connects to questions on appointments, collective decision-making, and constitutional offices. Easy to memorize and useful for elimination in multiple-choice or short-answer questions about institutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION MACHINERy3, > p. 573
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 69
🔗 Anchor: "How many members are there in the Election Commission of India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Article 324: Powers and Scope of the Election Commission
💡 The insight

Article 324 is cited as the constitutional provision vesting superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission, anchoring its composition and authority.

Understanding the constitutional basis of the Election Commission is crucial for UPSC polity papers and dynamic mains answers; links to topics on separation of powers, federal relations (state election bodies), and legal safeguards. Enables answering why the EC is independent and what elections it covers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION MACHINERy3, > p. 573
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 43: Election Commission > CHAPTER " Election Commission > p. 419
🔗 Anchor: "How many members are there in the Election Commission of India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Single-member vs Multi-member Evolution of the Commission
💡 The insight

References note the Commission was single-member till 1989 and then became multi-member, explaining the present multi-member structure.

Important for questions on institutional history and constitutional amendments/interpretations. Helps frame answers about institutional reform, precedents, and shifts in administrative practice — useful for both prelims factual recall and mains analytical questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 68
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 37: First General Elections > The Election Commission > p. 628
🔗 Anchor: "How many members are there in the Election Commission of India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Article 324 — Constitutional authority of the Election Commission
💡 The insight

Article 324 is cited as vesting the Election Commission with superintendence, direction and control over elections, which is the constitutional basis for deciding election schedules.

High-yield for UPSC: knowing Article 324 clarifies institutional powers of the ECI and links to topics on constitutional bodies, separation of powers, and judicial review. Questions often ask about the source and scope of ECI powers or compare central and state electoral authorities.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 37: First General Elections > First General Elections ✫ 629 > p. 629
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Article 324: (1) > p. 68
🔗 Anchor: "Which authority decides the election schedule for the conduct of general electio..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Contents of an election schedule
💡 The insight

The election schedule explicitly includes notification, nomination period, scrutiny/withdrawal dates, polling and counting — items the authority must set.

Practically useful for administrative/ governance questions: understanding schedule components helps answer questions on election procedure, Model Code triggers, and grounds for postponement. It enables precise answers on what the ECI controls.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION > Special majority > p. 70
🔗 Anchor: "Which authority decides the election schedule for the conduct of general electio..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 ECI's administrative control over election machinery and announcement process
💡 The insight

The ECI not only announces schedules but also nominates Chief Electoral Officers, DEOs and Returning Officers who implement the schedule.

Important for UPSC candidates to connect constitutional authority with on-ground implementation and centre-state coordination. This concept appears in questions on conduct of elections, federal relations, and administrative responsibility.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION MACHINERy3, > p. 573
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION PROCESSs > p. 574
🔗 Anchor: "Which authority decides the election schedule for the conduct of general electio..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Recognition and registration of political parties
💡 The insight

References show EC registers parties and grants recognition, which is the legal status that triggers privileges and disputes after splits/mergers.

High-yield: questions often probe EC's functions and party recognition rules. Understanding registration vs recognition helps answer case-based questions on party rights, symbols, and adjudication by EC. Connects to election law, party politics, and constitutional bodies; practice by mapping functions to real-world disputes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL AND STATE PARTIES > p. 567
  • Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > National parties > p. 53
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Election Commission of India have the authority to resolve disputes rel..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

While the ECI resolves split/merger disputes (Para 15, Symbols Order 1968), it has NO power to 'deregister' a political party for violating the Constitution. It can only delist them for being defunct or obtaining registration by fraud.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Executive Interference' heuristic. Statement 2 says the Home Ministry (the ruling govt) decides the election schedule. If the ruling party decided the dates, elections wouldn't be 'Free and Fair'. This violates the Basic Structure. Thus, Statement 2 is false.

🔗 Mains Connection

Links to GS-2 Mains: 'Appointment to various Constitutional posts'. The evolution from this 2017 question is the 2023 Supreme Court judgment (Anoop Baranwal case) and the subsequent 2023 Act changing the selection committee for CEC/ECs.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2012 · Q32 Relevance score: 2.90

Consider the following statements: 1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. 2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes. 3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CAPF · 2008 · Q39 Relevance score: 2.73

Consider the following statements : 1. The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission. 2. The Union Finance Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Finance Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2013 · Q93 Relevance score: 2.54

Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament. 2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. 3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2001 · Q45 Relevance score: 2.03

Consider the following statements regarding the political parties in India: I. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for the registration of political parties. II. Registration of political parties is carried out by the Election Commission. III. A national level political party is one which is recognised in four or more States. IV. During the 1999 general elections, there were six National and 48 State level parties recognised by the Election Commission. Which of these statements are correct ?

CDS-II · 2016 · Q117 Relevance score: 2.01

Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the prepara¬tion of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.