UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 32: Polity and Governance
With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements :
- 1.The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
- 2.The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The value of an MLA's vote is worked out from the State's population (1971 Census) divided by the number of elected MLAs, then divided by 1000, so it differs from State to State and is higher for MLAs in more populous States. The value of an MP's vote is the same for every MP, and the same for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, because it is the total value of all MLA votes divided by the number of elected MPs.
- 1. An MLA's vote value depends on the State's population and its number of MLAs.
- 2. Every MP, in either House, has the same vote value.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: An MLA's vote value depends on the State's population and its number of MLAs.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Every MP, in either House, has the same vote value.
Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: MLA vote values vary by State, while all MPs carry the same value.
- (b) Wrong: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have an equal vote value.
- (c) Wrong: statement 2 is false.
- (d) Wrong: statement 1 is true.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.