UPSC Prelims (2026)Practice MCQs

(Women and Electoral Politics in IndiaElections, Representation & Women’s Reservation,)

1. With reference to women’s electoral participation in India, consider the following statements:

In the 1967 Lok Sabha election, the gender gap in voter turnout was more than 10 percentage points.
In recent Lok Sabha elections, women’s voter turnout has almost reached parity with men.
In several State Assembly elections after 2011, women’s turnout exceeded that of men.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 1 only

Answer: C

2. Which of the following factors historically contributed to lower voter turnout among women in India?

Lower female literacy
Restricted mobility
Domestic responsibilities
Limited political outreach to women

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1, 2 and 3 only

C. 2, 3 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

3. With reference to women’s participation in electoral campaign activities, consider the following statements:

Women’s participation in rallies and meetings has increased in recent elections.
Women participate in campaign activities at the same rate as men.
Women’s involvement in door-to-door canvassing has increased over time.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only

B. 1 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

4. Consider the following statements regarding women’s representation in the Lok Sabha:

The number of women MPs has increased significantly in the 21st century.
Women constitute more than 25% of the Lok Sabha members.
The highest number of women MPs was elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

5. Which of the following best explains the term “nomination bottleneck” in Indian electoral politics?

A. Women are legally prohibited from contesting elections.

B. Political parties nominate fewer women candidates compared to men.

C. Women voters do not support female candidates.

D. Election Commission restricts female candidature.

Answer: B

6. With reference to women candidates in parliamentary elections, consider the following statements:

The number of women candidates has increased significantly since the 1950s.
Women candidates often have comparable or higher success rates than men.
Women candidates constitute the majority of election contestants.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

7. Which of the following are commonly cited barriers to women’s political participation?

Patriarchal social structures
Household responsibilities
Lack of financial resources
Cultural norms

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

8. With reference to women’s political autonomy in India, consider the following statements:

A majority of women voters report voting independently without family influence.
Many women consider it important to share the same political views as their family.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

9. Which of the following statements best describes the paradox of women’s participation in Indian democracy?

A. Women vote less than men but dominate legislatures.

B. Women vote in large numbers but remain underrepresented in legislatures.

C. Women cannot contest elections but can vote.

D. Women dominate political parties but not elections.

Answer: B

10. The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act 2023 aims to:

A. Reserve seats for women in the Rajya Sabha only

B. Provide 50% reservation for women in Parliament

C. Reserve one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies

D. Provide reservation for women in political parties

Answer: C

Quick UPSC Revision Points

Topic	Key Fact
Women voter turnout	Nearly equal to men in recent elections
Women MPs	Around 14% of Lok Sabha
Highest women MPs	78 in 2019
Major barrier	Party nominations
Women’s Reservation	33% seats in Parliament & State Assemblies

11. With reference to women’s representation in India’s legislatures, consider the following statements:

Women constitute about half of India’s electorate.
Women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has crossed 25%.
The highest number of women MPs was elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

12. With reference to the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act 2023, consider the following statements:

It reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women.
The reservation will come into effect after the next delimitation exercise.
Seats reserved for women will rotate across constituencies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

13. Which of the following institutions conducts elections to Parliament and State Legislatures?

A. Ministry of Law and Justice

B. Election Commission of India

C. Parliament Secretariat

D. Law Commission of India

Answer: B

14. With reference to the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements:

It is a constitutional body.
It conducts elections for Panchayats and Municipalities.
It administers the Model Code of Conduct.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Local body elections are conducted by State Election Commissions.

15. The superintendence, direction and control of elections in India is vested in:

A. Parliament

B. President

C. Election Commission of India

D. Supreme Court

Answer: C

16. With reference to women’s electoral participation in India, consider the following statements:

Women’s voter turnout has reached parity with men in recent Lok Sabha elections.
In several State elections, women’s turnout has exceeded men’s turnout.
Women participate in campaign activities at the same rate as men.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

17. Which of the following factors are commonly associated with women’s underrepresentation in legislatures?

Limited political party nominations
Patriarchal social norms
Financial barriers in contesting elections
Legal prohibition on women contesting elections

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1, 2 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

18. Consider the following statements regarding success rates of women candidates in elections:

Women candidates often have success rates comparable to or higher than men.
Political parties nominate women candidates in equal numbers as men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

19. With reference to delimitation in India, consider the following statements:

It involves redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies.
It is carried out by a Delimitation Commission appointed by the government.
Its orders cannot be challenged in court.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

20. Which of the following Articles of the Constitution deal with the Election Commission?

Article 324
Article 325
Article 326

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: C

21. Article 326 of the Constitution provides for:

A. Reservation of seats for women

B. Universal adult suffrage

C. Appointment of the Election Commission

D. Delimitation of constituencies

Answer: B

22. With reference to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), consider the following statements:

It is legally enforceable.
It comes into operation immediately after the announcement of elections.
It is implemented by the Election Commission of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

23. Which of the following best explains the term “electoral inclusion without structural equality”?

A. Equal representation of women in legislatures

B. Equal voting rights but unequal representation in political institutions

C. Equal participation in political parties

D. Equal campaign participation between genders

Answer: B

24. Consider the following statements regarding women’s reservation in local bodies:

One-third reservation for women in Panchayats is provided by the Constitution.
This provision was introduced through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
Many states have increased the reservation to 50%.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: C

25. Which of the following best explains the term “political socialisation” in the context of elections?

A. The process by which political parties recruit candidates

B. The process by which individuals develop political attitudes and behaviour

C. The regulation of political campaigns

D. The financing of election campaigns

Answer: B

Quick UPSC Revision (Highly Tested Concepts)

Topic	Key Fact
Women voters	Nearly equal turnout with men
Women MPs	Around 14% in Lok Sabha
Women Reservation	33% seats reserved
Election Commission	Article 324
Voting age & suffrage	Article 326
Local body reservation	73rd & 74th Amendments

Suryavanshi IAS

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