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Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-Defection: 25 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 25 questions on Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-Defection between 1979 and 2025: CSE 10 · CDS 9 · CAPF 3 · NDA 1 · EPFO (AO/EO) 1 · CISF (LDCE) 1. 17 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 10 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

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Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CDS2025 · 1Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·6

Which of the following descriptions with regard to Parliamentary Privilege for Members of the Parliament of India is/are correct ? 1. The Speaker is empowered to refer suo moto any question of privilege for investigation 2. A question of privilege is accorded priority over other items in the List of Business 3. The privilege extends to freedom from preventive arrest or detention Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Parliamentary privilege → Speaker may refer a question of privilege suo motu | a privilege question gets priority in the List of Business | NOT: extends to freedom from preventive arrest or detention
CSE2025Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, the President's decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final. II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT: President decides Tenth Schedule disqualification on the Council of Ministers' opinion | NOT: 'political party' is not mentioned in the Constitution
EPFO (AO/EO)2023Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Which of the following statements regarding the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme are correct ? 1. The nodal ministry for the scheme is the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 2. Funds released under the scheme are non-lapsable. 3. The role of the Member of Parliament is limited to recommending works. 4. The scheme is confined to the State from which the Member of Parliament is elected (Lok Sabha). However, a Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)MPLADS → nodal ministry: Statistics and Programme Implementation | funds non-lapsable | MP's role limited to recommending works | NOT: LS MP confined to the State while RS MP may recommend anywhere
CSE2022Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

With reference to anti-defection law in India, consider the following statements: 1. The law specifies that a nominated legislator cannot join any political party within six months of being appointed to the House. 2. The law does not provide any time-frame within which the presiding officer has to decide a defection case. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Anti-defection law → no time-frame for the presiding officer to decide | NOT: a nominated legislator cannot join a party within six months of appointment
CDS2021 · 2Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Which among the following is not a condition for the disqualification of a Member of Parliament ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)NOT a disqualification for an MP → holding the office of Chairperson, National Commission for Women
CDS2020 · 1Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)MPLADS → NOT: MPs sanction, execute and complete the works
CDS2020 · 2Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·6

Which of the following statements with regard to the privileges of the Members of the Parliament are correct? 1. Privileges would not be fettered by the Article 19(l)(a) of the Constitution of India. 2. Privileges must be read subject to the Articles 20-22 and Article 32 of the Constitution of India. 3. Immunity is available in relation to both civil and criminal prosecution. 4. Immunity is available in relation to freedom of speech even in his/her private or personal capacity. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)MPs' privileges → not fettered by Art 19(1)(a) | subject to Arts 20–22 and 32 | NOT: immunity from both civil and criminal prosecution | NOT: speech immunity in a private capacity
CSE2020Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct? 1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc. 2. A specified portion of each MP‘s fund must benefit SC/ST populations. 3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year. 4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Answer D (official UPSC key)MPLADS → durable assets | a specified share for SC/ST populations | district authority inspects at least 10% of works yearly | NOT: unused funds lapse at year-end
CSE2020Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State. 2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT: any person eligible to vote can be a State minister for six months without being a legislator | NOT: RPA 1951 disqualifies a convict sentenced to five years permanently
CAPF2019Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Which one of the following is NOT true of the 10th schedule of the Constitution of India pertaining to disqualification of members of the Parliament and State legislatures ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Tenth Schedule → NOT: the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of unresolved cases
CISF (LDCE)2019Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·6

Which of the following is/are privilege(s) enjoyed by a Member of Parliament? 1. Freedom from arrest in criminal cases 2. Freedom from arrest under a Law of Preventive Detention 3. Freedom of speech within the House 4. Freedom not to give evidence as a witness unless permitted by the House Select the correct answer using the code below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)MP's privileges → freedom of speech within the House | freedom from giving evidence unless the House permits | NOT: freedom from arrest in criminal cases | NOT: freedom from preventive detention
CSE2019Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts several posts from disqualification on the grounds of ‗Office of Profit‘. 2. The above-mentioned Act was amended five times. 3. The term ‗Office of Profit‘ is well-defined in the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act 1959 → exempts several posts from 'office of profit' | amended five times | NOT: 'office of profit' well-defined in the Constitution
CDS2018 · 1Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

A person is disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a Member of either House of the Parliament if the person 1. holds any office or profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State other than an office declared by the Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder 2. is an undischarged insolvent 3. Is so disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India 4. Is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent Court Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Disqualified as an MP → office of profit (unless exempted by law), undischarged insolvency, Tenth Schedule disqualification, unsound mind declared by a court
CDS2016 · 1Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

A Member of Lok Sabha does not become disqualified to continue as a Member of the House if the Member

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Lok Sabha member NOT disqualified if → expelled by the political party from which elected
CAPF2013Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of the Parliament if she/he 1. holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office exempted by the Parliament by law 2. is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court 3. remains absent from all meetings of the House for a period of 60 days without the permission of the House Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Disqualified from being chosen as / being an MP → office of profit under GoI or a State (unless exempted by law) | unsound mind declared by a court | absent from all meetings for 60 days without the House's permission
CDS2013 · 1Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Consider the following statements 1. The anti-defection law bans an elected member from voting against the explicit mandate of his/her party. 2. The anti-defection provisions do not apply if one-third of the members of a party disobey the mandate of the party and constitute themselves as a separate party. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Anti-defection law → bans voting against the party's explicit mandate | NOT: exempt if one-third disobey and form a separate party
CDS2009 · 2Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

According to the Constitution (Fifty Second Amendment Act, 1985 as amended in 2003, a legislator attracts disqualification under the 10th Schedule if [2009-II] 1. he voluntarily gives up the membership of the party on whose ticket he was elected. 2. he votes or abstains from voting contrary to any direction issued by his political party. 3. as a result of split, less than one third of the members formed a new group or party in the house. 4. a member who has been elected as a independent member joins any political party. Select the correct answer using the codes given below

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Tenth Schedule disqualification → voluntarily giving up party membership | voting or abstaining against the party's direction | an independent joining a party | NOT: a split where under one-third form a new group
CSE1992Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Which of the following are the circumstances under which an elected member of Parliament may be disqualified on the ground of defection? 1. If he voluntarily gives up his membership of a political party 2. If he votes or abstains from voting contrary to any direction issued by his political party without prior permission of the political party 3. If he speaks against the political party 4. If he joins a political party other than the party on whose ticket he contested and got elected Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Defection disqualification → voluntarily giving up party membership | voting/abstaining against party direction without permission | joining another party | NOT: speaking against the party
CSE1990Privileges, Disqualification, Anti-DefectionOn card POL 6·7

Consider the following pairs about Constitutional Amendment: 1. 52nd - Anti-Defection Law 2. 56th - Statehood for Goa 3. 59th - Emergency in Punjab 4. 62nd - Reservation for Schedule Castes and Tribes in services Of these statements:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Amendments → 52nd: anti-defection | 56th: statehood for Goa | 59th: Emergency in Punjab | NOT: 62nd — reservation for SCs/STs in services

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