Question map
Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'? I. The President of India II. The Prime Minister of India III. The Chief Justice of India IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The jury for selecting the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize consists of the Prime Minister of India, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India,[3] Speaker of the Lok Sabha and two other eminent persons.
Based on this composition, we can verify each statement:
- Statement I (President of India): **Not a member** - The President is not mentioned in the jury composition.
- Statement II (Prime Minister): **Member** - Explicitly listed.
- Statement III (Chief Justice): **Member** - Explicitly listed.
- Statement IV (Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha): **Member** - Explicitly listed.
Therefore, statements II, III, and IV are correct, making option C the right answer. The President of India, despite being the Head of State, is not part of this particular selection jury.
Sources- [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi_Peace_Prize
- [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi_Peace_Prize
- [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi_Peace_Prize
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a 'Polity-style' question applied to General Knowledge. While standard books don't list prize juries, the composition (PM + CJI + LoP) mirrors the 'High-Powered Selection Committee' structure found in statutory bodies (like NHRC or CVC). The trap is assuming the President (Head of State) sits on a working jury.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the President of India a member of the jury that selects the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize as of 2025?
- Statement 2: Is the Prime Minister of India a member of the jury that selects the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize as of 2025?
- Statement 3: Is the Chief Justice of India a member of the jury that selects the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize as of 2025?
- Statement 4: Is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha a member of the jury that selects the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize as of 2025?
Defines the President of India as the head of the Union and explains how the President is chosen (indirectly elected by an electoral college).
A student could combine this with knowledge that many national prize juries are either chaired by the head of state or constituted separately to judge whether the President would normally be an ex‑officio jury member.
Shows the President has appointing powers (e.g., appoints Governors) and acts as the federal authority making formal appointments.
A student might use this to ask whether the Gandhi Peace Prize jury is an appointed body (thus plausibly appointed by the President) or an independent panel not involving presidential office.
Uses the term 'President' as the title of the head of a statutory commission (the National Commission), illustrating that 'President' can mean 'chairperson' of a body, not necessarily the President of India.
A student could check whether sources describing the prize list 'President' as part of the jury might refer to a commission chairperson rather than the President of India, avoiding a terminological confusion.
Provides examples of individuals who become President (political figures, affiliated with parties), underlining that the office is a high-profile political/constitutional post.
A student could use this to reason that if a prize jury is meant to be non‑political or expert‑led, inclusion of the national President would be notable and thus verifiable from prize rules or announcements.
- Passage explicitly lists the members of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury and includes the Prime Minister of India.
- The wording shows the Prime Minister is a standing member of the selection jury (alongside other high offices).
Explains that a Prime Minister may be a member of either House (e.g., some PMs have been Rajya Sabha members), showing the office can be held by persons with varied parliamentary status.
A student could use this to note the PM is an office (not tied to a single house) and then check the Gandhi Peace Prize statute to see if it names the Prime Minister as an ex‑officio jury member.
Describes presidential discretion in appointing the Prime Minister, illustrating the constitutional importance and distinctiveness of the Prime Minister's office.
One might infer that because the PM is a principal constitutional office, some national awards/juries could include such office‑holders—so verify the prize rules for any ex‑officio slots for high offices like the PM.
Same passage as [1] (duplicate source) reinforcing the pattern that the Prime Minister's appointment and status are governed by specific constitutional practices.
Use this repeated emphasis on the PM's special status to motivate checking official Gandhi Peace Prize documentation (government notifications or the prize statute) for named jury members.
States that the President can nominate leaders to the Council of Ministers, highlighting that national appointments and nominations are governed by explicit rules.
A student could contrast this pattern—appointments by explicit rules—with whether the Gandhi Peace Prize specifies jury composition (i.e., look for an explicit nomination rule naming the PM).
Provides context on the Prime Minister as the head of government, underscoring the prominence of the office in national affairs.
Given the PM's prominence, a reasonable next step is to check official sources (prize guidelines, government releases) to see if the PM is included among named jurors for the Gandhi Peace Prize.
- Passage explicitly lists the members of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury.
- It names the 'Chief Justice of India' as one of the constituent members of that jury.
Shows a clear pattern where the Chief Justice of India serves ex officio as chairperson of important selection/appointment bodies (the judicial 'Commission' described).
A student could extend this pattern by checking whether the Gandhi Peace Prize jury is defined by statute or government rules and whether such rules typically include ex officio judicial heads.
Gives an example where the Chief Justice chairs a permanent committee (designation of Senior Advocates), indicating CJI is commonly placed in chair/member roles for formal selection panels.
Use this example as a precedent to suspect that other high-profile selection panels (like an award jury) might also include or be chaired by the CJI; then check the specific jury list for the Gandhi Peace Prize.
States the Chief Justice chairs search-cum-selection committees for appointments to national commissions, showing a recurring administrative role in selection committees across government bodies.
A student could take this general rule (CJI often chairs search panels) and look up the statutory/notification text for the Gandhi Peace Prize to see if its jury follows a similar selection-committee pattern.
Repeats that the Chief Justice chairs search/selection committees for tribunals (CAT), reinforcing the pattern of CJI involvement in government selection bodies.
Combine this repeated pattern with a lookup of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury membership (e.g., government notification or official website) to confirm whether the CJI is included.
- The passage explicitly lists the composition of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury and includes the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
- This directly ties the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to membership of the selection jury for the prize.
Gives a clear example that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha is routinely included as a member of high‑level selection/appointment committees (here, for recommending the Chief Election Commissioner).
A student could note this pattern of inclusion on selection panels and check the statutory/official composition of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury to see if it follows a similar convention.
Repeats the same rule/pattern (Leader of Opposition as a member of a three‑member selection committee) reinforcing that the Leader is commonly treated as an ex officio participant in important selection bodies.
Use this repeated example as support to hypothesize that other national prize juries might likewise include the Leader of the Opposition, then compare with the Gandhi Peace Prize rules.
Defines the Leader of the Opposition as the recognised leader of the largest opposition party in a House, clarifying who holds this statutory/constitutional post when a committee requires 'Leader of the Opposition' representation.
Combine this definition with knowledge of who (if anyone) currently holds the LoP in the Lok Sabha and then check jury composition language that names this officeholder.
Provides the same definitional/pattern information about the Leader of the Opposition, useful for identifying the precise office referenced when selection panels list 'Leader of the Opposition' as a member.
A student could use this to map the title in any statutory roster (e.g., 'Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha') to the actual person who would serve on a jury in a given year.
Notes procedural/recognition rules about when a Leader of the Opposition is formally recognised (mentions a 75‑member threshold as an asserted rule), which affects whether that office exists to be named on committees.
Extend by checking whether, as of 2025, the Lok Sabha has a recognised Leader of the Opposition (i.e., whether any party meets the recognition threshold), since only a recognised LoP would be named on formal juries.
- [THE VERDICT]: Trap/Bouncer. Not found in Laxmikanth. Requires specific knowledge of the 'Code of Procedure' for the Gandhi Peace Prize, usually surfacing in news when the award is announced (e.g., Gita Press controversy).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: National Awards & Honors. Specifically, the administrative machinery and selection process behind them, not just the recipients.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Compare Selection Committees: 1) Bharat Ratna: PM recommends to President (No formal jury). 2) Padma Awards: Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary. 3) CVC Selection: PM + Home Minister + LoP. 4) NHRC Selection: PM + Speaker + Deputy Chairman RS + LoP (both houses) + HM. 5) Lokpal: PM + Speaker + LoP + CJI + Jurist.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing only 'Who won?'. Ask 'Who decided?'. If a committee involves constitutional heavyweights (PM, CJI, LoP), it becomes a high-value target for UPSC because it reflects the balance of power (Executive vs Judiciary vs Opposition).
The President is chosen by an electoral college through proportional representation using the single transferable vote system.
High-yield for polity: explains how the head of the Union is elected, underpins questions on legitimacy, electoral arithmetic, and constitutional design. Connects to topics on Parliament, state legislatures and election procedures; useful for questions on reforming presidential elections or analysing election outcomes.
- 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
The electoral college comprises elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of State Legislative Assemblies (plus certain UT assemblies), while nominated members and some other categories are excluded from voting.
Important for UPSC when evaluating representation and vote-weight issues in presidential polls, federal balance and legislative composition. Helps answer questions on which categories of legislators participate in national-level elections and implications for central–state politics.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System > Election of the President of India > p. 136
- 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
The President appoints Governors and appoints members of certain commissions on government recommendation, reflecting executive appointment powers.
Core for administrative law and federalism: shows centre–state relations, appointment procedures and exercise of discretionary power. Useful for essay and mains questions on constitutional powers, federal structure and checks on executive appointments.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 13: The State Executive > 2. The Governor > p. 269
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 37: Consumer Commissions > D I Composition > p. 370
The President can appoint a person as Prime Minister before that person proves majority in the Lok Sabha and may later require proof of majority.
High-yield for UPSC because it explains formation of government and presidential discretion; connects to topics on parliamentary confidence, government stability, and constitutional conventions. Mastery helps answer questions on government formation, confidence motions, and president–prime minister relations.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 20: Prime Minister > APPOINTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER > p. 207
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 20: Prime Minister > APPOINTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER > p. 207
A person who is a member of the Rajya Sabha can be appointed Prime Minister and examples exist of such appointments.
Important for constitutional eligibility and comparisons with other parliamentary systems; links to ministerial membership rules and to questions on bicameral legislature dynamics. Useful for MCQs and essay parts on parliamentary conventions and examples of office-holders.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 20: Prime Minister > APPOINTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER > p. 208
Interim or caretaker Prime Ministers have been appointed to hold office pending elections or until a new leader is chosen.
Relevant for UPSC coverage of crisis management, succession, and transitional constitutional arrangements; connects to presidential powers and historical instances of interim appointments, aiding answers on exceptional political events and conventions.
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Indira Gandhi: the First Phase (January 1966 to March 1977) > p. 664
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 20: Prime Minister > APPOINTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER > p. 207
The Chief Justice of India commonly chairs search‑cum‑selection committees for appointments to statutory bodies.
High-yield for questions on appointment processes and institutional checks: explains who leads selection panels, connects to executive‑judiciary relations and appointment safeguards, and helps answer items on composition of selection committees across institutions.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 37: Consumer Commissions > D I Composition > p. 370
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 36: Tribunals > Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) > p. 366
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 36: Tribunals > Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) > p. 366
The 'Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development' is a trap sibling. It is awarded by a private trust (Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust), NOT the Government of India. Its jury is chaired by the Trust head (often Sonia Gandhi), not the PM. Do not confuse it with the official Gandhi Peace Prize.
Use 'Protocol Hierarchy' Logic. The President of India is the Head of State and the final authority who *confers* the award. It is structurally awkward (and breaks protocol) for the President to sit as a member of a 'Jury' to deliberate and vote alongside the PM or LoP. The President is above the fray. Eliminate Statement I. This leaves Option A or C. Given the award's prestige, the Judiciary's head (CJI) is a standard neutral addition. Mark C.
GS-2 (Statutory & Constitutional Bodies): The composition of a selection committee determines the 'Independence' of the institution. The inclusion of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and CJI is a structural safeguard against Executive dominance, a key theme in Mains answers regarding CBI/ECI reforms.
SIMILAR QUESTIONS
Who amongst the following was honoured with Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 ?
Consider the following statements about Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Develop- ment : 1. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, was selected for the Prize for the year 2013. 2. The award is accorded annually to individuals only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Who among the following are appointed by the President of India ? I. The Chairman, Finance Commission . II. The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission III. The Chief Minister of a Union Territory. Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.