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Constitutional Bodies and Elections – UPSC GS2

This module of the GS Paper 2: Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR course covers election commission and electoral law, upsc, cag, finance commission and commissions for scs, sts and bcs. It has 4 study lessons and a 32-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. The Election Commission of India

Free 7 min

Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission of India…

2. Electoral Laws, Anti-defection and Electoral Reforms

Premium 7 min

Part XV (Articles 324–329) deals with elections: Art 324 – Election Commission. Art 325 – one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency; no one is ineligible on grounds only of religion, race, caste or…

3. UPSC, State PSCs and the Comptroller and Auditor General

Premium 8 min

Constitutional bodies are created directly by the Constitution, and their composition, independence and functions are protected by it. They cannot be abolished or have their basic features altered without a constitutional amendment. This lesson covers…

4. National Commissions for SCs, STs and Backward Classes; Linguistic Minorities

Premium 7 min

The Constitution creates special bodies to monitor safeguards for disadvantaged groups. Three national commissions are constitutional: the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC, Article 338), the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST, Article 338A) and…

 Module quiz: Constitutional Bodies and Elections (32 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Five-step flowchart showing how the CEC and Election Commissioners are appointed under the 2023 Act
The Act replaced the interim arrangement set by the Supreme Court in Anoop Baranwal (2023), which had included the Chief Justice.
Timeline of eight milestones of the Election Commission from 1950 to 2024
Technology has made Indian elections faster, while courts have shaped safeguards for trust.
Five-step flowchart showing grounds, petition, decision, merger exception and judicial review under the Tenth Schedule
The split exception was removed in 2003; only mergers by two-thirds are protected.
Two-column table comparing the subjects of the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951
The 1950 Act prepares the ground; the 1951 Act governs the contest itself.
Table comparing the UPSC, State PSCs and the CAG on articles, appointment, term, removal, post-retirement jobs and reporting
Each body is insulated from the executive by security of tenure and charged expenditure.
Six-step flowchart from government spending through CAG audit and PAC scrutiny to action taken
The CAG and the Public Accounts Committee together enforce financial accountability of the executive.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: The Election Commission of India; Electoral Laws, Anti-defection and Electoral Reforms; UPSC, State PSCs and the Comptroller and Auditor General; National Commissions for SCs, STs and Backward Classes; Linguistic Minorities.

Answer: municipalities. Local body elections are conducted by State Election Commissions.

Answer: 1993. October 1993.

Answer: PM, LoP and a Union Cabinet minister. The CJI was not included.

Answer: only on the recommendation of the CEC. Article 324(5).

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Parliament3 lessons
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Federalism and Centre–State Relations5 lessons
State Government2 lessons
Local Government3 lessons
Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies3 lessons
Amendments and Basic Structure2 lessons
Governance2 lessons
Governance in Practice4 lessons
Social Justice2 lessons
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Health, Education and Hunger3 lessons
International Relations2 lessons
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India and the Wider World5 lessons

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