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Topic Electoral college
Asked 8 times across 3 UPSC exams over 43 years (1982–2025), peaking in 2025.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 5 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2025
- Recurs across 7 years (1982–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1982 → CDS 2017 → GEO 2025
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (4 of 8) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2025
The Vice President of India, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States, is elected by the Members of an Electoral College consisting of the Members of
- A the Rajya Sabha only
- B both the Houses of the Parliament ✓
- C both the Houses of the Parliament and the Upper House of the State Legislatures
- D both the Houses of the Parliament and the Members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and UTs
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
GEO2025
Consider the following statements with reference to the Presidential elections of the USA
- California has the largest allocation of votes in the Electoral College
- In 2016, Hillary Clinton won more percentage of popular votes than Donald Trump
- A Presidential candidate cannot win an election without winning highest percentage of popular vote
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 and 2 only ✓
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D 3 only
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Elections & Representation
CSE2023
Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India
- The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College
- Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State
- The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala
- The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh
How many of the above statements are correct?
- A Only one ✓
- B Only two
- C Only three
- D All four
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
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