Question map
Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India : 1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College. 2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State. 3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala. 4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh. How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 because only statement 4 is correct.
Statement 4 is correct: The value of an MLA's vote is determined by the ratio of the state's population (1971 census) to its total number of elective seats. Puducherry has a higher population-to-seat ratio compared to Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in a higher vote value (16) than Arunachal Pradesh (8).
Analysis of incorrect statements:
- Statement 1: Under Article 54, nominated members of Parliament and State Assemblies are excluded from the Electoral College; only elected members participate.
- Statement 2: The value of an MLA's vote is inversely proportional to the number of elective seats. A higher number of seats in the denominator decreases the individual vote value for a given population.
- Statement 3: Based on the 1971 census formula, the vote value of a Kerala MLA (152) is higher than that of a Madhya Pradesh MLA (131).
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question masquerades as static Polity but is actually 'Applied Current Affairs' triggered by the 2022 Presidential Election. While Statement 1 is standard Laxmikanth, Statements 2, 3, and 4 require you to understand the *mathematical formula* behind the election, not just the rules. If you ignored the 'Tables' in your textbook or the Election Commission brochure, you were flying blind.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are members nominated to either House of Parliament or to State Legislative Assemblies eligible to be included in the Electoral College for the election of the President of India?
- Statement 2: In the election of the President of India, does a higher number of elective Assembly seats in a State result in a higher value of vote of each MLA of that State according to the official formula for MLA vote value?
- Statement 3: Is the value of the vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh greater than the value of the vote of each MLA of Kerala in the Electoral College for the election of the President of India?
- Statement 4: Is the value of the vote of each MLA of Puducherry higher than that of each MLA of Arunachal Pradesh in the Electoral College for the election of the President of India?
- Statement 5: Is the ratio of total population to total number of elective Assembly seats (population per elective seat) in Puducherry greater than that ratio in Arunachal Pradesh?
- Defines the electoral college as consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of state legislative assemblies.
- Explicitly states that nominated members of both Houses of Parliament and nominated members of state legislative assemblies do not participate in the election of the President.
- Repeats that only elected members of Parliament and elected members of state legislative assemblies form the electoral college.
- Reinforces that nominated members of Parliament and state assemblies do not take part in the presidential election.
- States the electoral college shall consist of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of state legislative assemblies.
- Supports the restriction to elected members for presidential election purposes.
- Gives the official formula for an MLA's vote value using state population divided by (1000 × number of assembly seats).
- Because the number of seats appears in the denominator, an increase in seats raises the divisor — which (per the formula) lowers the value of each MLA's vote, not increases it.
- States explicitly that the value of each MLA's vote is determined based on the population of their state and the number of MLAs.
- Provides example values (e.g., UP 208, Sikkim 7) showing that per-MLA value varies by population and number of MLAs — indicating seat count is a determining factor but not directly increasing value.
Provides a table listing for states: number of elective Assembly seats, population (1991 census) and the calculated 'value of vote of each MLA' and 'total value' for the state — an explicit example set.
A student could use these example rows to infer how total state value relates to population and seats and check whether increasing seats (with fixed population) raises or lowers per-MLA value.
Same table continued (another instance of the data): shows numerical instances (e.g., Arunachal: 60 seats, MLA value 8) so allows pattern-spotting across states.
Compare multiple states' seat counts and their per-MLA values to see whether more seats correlate with higher per-MLA value or the reverse when population differences are considered.
Gives the linked formula for value of an MP's vote: MP vote value = (Total value of votes of all MLAs of all states) / (Total number of elected MPs) — showing that MLA total value is a primary input to later calculations.
Knowing MLA totals matter for MPs' vote values, a student can focus on how state-level totals (and thus per-MLA values) are computed and how seat numbers enter that computation.
Shows aggregated numbers for 2022 presidential election (total MLAs, total MPs, computed MP vote value and grand totals) — demonstrating that the system uses arithmetic aggregation of MLA vote values.
Use these aggregate computations as context to test whether changing a state's number of elective seats (holding population constant) would increase or decrease per-MLA value by recomputing totals.
Explains the principle that constituencies aim for roughly equal population so that each representative's vote/constituency is balanced — relevant for understanding how population per seat affects calculations.
Combine this with the state tables: if population is roughly proportional to number of seats, a student can reason how population-per-seat influences per-MLA vote value under the official method.
- Contains an explicit, direct assertion that the value of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala.
- Appears in a standard Indian polity textbook chapter dealing with presidential election vote values, giving it contextual authority.
- Refers to Table 18.4 which lists state-wise values of each MLA (derived from Election Commission data), establishing the basis for comparing states.
- Demonstrates that MLA vote values vary by state and that authoritative numerical data exist to support state comparisons.
Provides a concrete example: the table cites the value of vote of each MLA of Arunachal Pradesh as 8.
A student could compare this known value (8) with the published value for Puducherry from the same official table or Election Commission data to test the statement.
Confirms that Puducherry's MLAs are members of the Presidential Electoral College (i.e., their MLA vote-values matter for the election).
Knowing Puducherry MLAs are included, a student can look up Puducherry's MLA vote-value in the same source that lists Arunachal's value to compare them.
Gives the general calculation context and points to Table 18.4 that illustrates value of votes for each MLA and MPs, implying there is a formulaic basis and a reference table for values.
A student can use the referenced table or apply the official formula (total state vote value divided by elective seats) to compute or verify Puducherry's MLA value against Arunachal's.
States a rule-like pattern: 'Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State' (presented as a comparative guideline).
A student could compare the number of elective assembly seats (and population figures) of Puducherry and Arunachal to infer which might have a higher per-MLA value, then verify with official figures.
Explains that assembly constituencies are sized roughly by population, linking seat numbers to population — a factor in MLA vote-value calculations.
A student could combine known population and seat-count differences between Puducherry and Arunachal (from basic sources) with the formula/rules to predict which state's MLA vote-value is likely higher before checking the official table.
Gives Arunachal Pradesh's number of elective Assembly seats (60) and a population figure (467,511) in the same tabular context.
A student can compute Arunachal's population-per-seat (467,511 ÷ 60) as a baseline to compare with Puducherry after obtaining Puducherry's corresponding figures.
Same tabular entry as 4 (duplicate source) confirming Arunachal Pradesh's seats and population in the presidential-election value table.
Use this corroborated Arunachal datum to ensure the baseline ratio is consistent before comparing with Puducherry.
Provides an alternative (2011) total population for Arunachal Pradesh (1,382,611), showing population figures vary by census year.
A student should pick matching census years for both Puducherry and Arunachal (e.g., 1971 vs 2011) before computing ratios, since the choice of year changes the comparison.
Contains examples of state-level table entries listing 'NUMBER OF ASSEMBLY SEATS (ELECTIVE)' alongside 'POPULATION'—illustrates the exact kind of data needed to compute population-per-seat.
Use the same table-format approach to locate Puducherry's 'assembly seats' and 'population' entries (from the same or similar official tables) and compute its ratio for comparison.
States a constitutional principle that representation ratios are intended to be uniform for Lok Sabha seats (and notes exceptions), highlighting that representation ratios are a recognized metric.
This rule signals that comparing population-per-seat is a valid method; a student can therefore meaningfully compare Puducherry and Arunachal by computing their population-per-assembly-seat ratios, while being aware such uniformity rules apply to Lok Sabha, not necessarily to state assemblies.
- [THE VERDICT]: Trap / Applied Static. Statement 1 is a Sitter (Laxmikanth Ch 18), but S2 is a logic trap (Math), and S3/S4 are 'Data Interpretation' derived from the 2022 Election context.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 16th Presidential Election (July 2022). When a major constitutional event occurs, UPSC asks about the *mechanics* and *calculations* behind it, not just the articles.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Extremes & Constants: Highest MLA Vote Value (UP = 208), Lowest (Sikkim = 7). MP Vote Value (Standard was 708, became 700 in 2022 due to J&K). Base Census Year (1971). Formula: (State Pop / Total Elected MLAs) x (1/1000).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize all 28 states. Master the *Formula Logic*. S2 says 'Higher Seats = Higher Value'. Look at the formula: Seats are in the *denominator*. Higher denominator = Lower Value. S2 is mathematically false. Use this logic to derive S4.
The electoral college for electing the President comprises only elected MPs and elected MLAs, determining who has the franchise in that election.
High-yield for constitutional polity questions: knowing who constitutes the electoral college answers many direct questions on presidential elections and links to Articles on election procedure; helps in elimination-style MCQs and descriptive answers about election mechanics.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 186
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 186
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > 1. The President and the Vice-Prelideat > p. 205
Nominated members of Parliament and state assemblies are distinct from elected members and are excluded from participation in the presidential electoral college.
Important for questions contrasting nomination vs election rights (voting eligibility, privileges); ties into topics on composition of legislatures, nomination powers of the President, and special representation provisions.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 186
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 186
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > d) Nominating Members to the Houses. > p. 214
The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, a fact relevant to understanding nominated membership even though they do not vote in the presidential election.
Useful for questions on parliamentary composition and federal representation; connects to broader topics like qualifications for nomination, roles of nominated members, and distinction between houses of Parliament.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Composition of Rajya Sabha > p. 223
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Composition of Rajya Sabha > p. 223
The per-MLA vote value is not uniform; published tables list different vote values for different legislative units.
High-yield for prelims and mains: questions often ask whether MLA vote values are equal or vary. Understanding that values differ helps answer comparative and conceptual questions on the presidential electoral college and federal representation.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 201
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 201
The value of an MP's vote is computed by dividing the total value of all MLAs' votes by the number of elected MPs.
Essential for solving numeric problems about the presidential election and for linking state-level representation to national-level weighting; enables solving aggregate vote-value calculations and interpreting official totals.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 187
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT > p. 187
Tabulated data pair population and number of assembly seats with the resulting per-MLA vote value, implying dependence on population per seat.
Crucial for answering formula-based questions: recognizing the role of population per seat lets aspirants deduce how changes in census figures or seat numbers affect per-MLA weight and helps tackle numerical and policy questions on delimitation and representation.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 201
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 201
MLA vote value is not uniform; it differs across states and can be compared state-to-state.
High-yield for questions on the Presidential Electoral College and federal representation. Mastering this helps answer comparison and reason-type questions about vote-weighting across states and the implications for presidential elections.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2022 TEST PAPER > p. 764
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 201
The 'J&K Factor': The total value of the Electoral College decreased in 2022 because the J&K Legislative Assembly did not exist at the time of election. The value of an MP's vote dropped from 708 to 700. This specific number (700) and the reason (absence of J&K assembly) is the next logical question.
The 'Denominator Logic' Hack: For Statement 2, visualize the formula. Value = Population / Seats. If 'Seats' go up, the result goes *down*. Therefore, S2 is mathematically impossible. For S4 (Puducherry vs Arunachal), use 'Density Logic'. Puducherry is a dense urban UT (high pop/seat ratio); Arunachal is a sparse hill state (low pop/seat ratio). High ratio = High Vote Value. Thus, Puducherry > Arunachal.
Mains GS-2 (Federalism & Delimitation): The disparity in MLA vote values (UP's 208 vs. Southern states) highlights the 'North-South Divide' in representation. This links directly to the upcoming Post-2026 Delimitation debate, where population-based seat allocation might penalize performing states.