UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 23: Polity and Governance

Who among the following have the right to vote in the elections to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

aElected members of the Lower House of the Parliament

bElected members of the Upper House of the Parliament

cElected members of the Upper House of the State Legislature

dElected members of the Lower House of the State Legislature

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Every adult citizen on the electoral roll votes in Lok Sabha elections, and the elected members of a State's Legislative Assembly, the lower House of the State Legislature, also vote in Rajya Sabha elections, because each State's Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of its Assembly. Members of Parliament and of State Legislative Councils have no vote in Rajya Sabha elections. Remember: MLAs elect the State's Rajya Sabha members.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Lok Sabha members help elect the President and Vice-President, not Rajya Sabha members.
(b) Rajya Sabha members do not vote in Rajya Sabha elections; they vote for the President and Vice-President.
(c) Legislative Council members have no vote in Rajya Sabha elections, which are by elected Assembly members.
(d) Right: Assembly members are the electorate for Rajya Sabha and also vote in Lok Sabha elections as citizens.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.