UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 45: Polity and Governance
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?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
All four statements are correct as of 2001. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Section 29A) provides for registration of political parties, and the Election Commission registers them. A party was recognised as a national party if recognised in four or more States. For the 1999 general election the Commission had recognised six national and 48 State parties. Remember that recognition criteria have been revised since.
- I. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for registration of parties.
- II. The Election Commission registers parties.
- III. A party recognised in four or more States was a national party.
- IV. There were six national and 48 State parties in the 1999 elections.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) III is also correct.
- (b) II and IV are also correct.
- (c) I and III are also correct.
- (d) Right: all four statements are correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.