Ten MCQs on current International and national events - 189

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

A-Category MCQs -189

Q1. Election Commission and Collective Decision-Making

With reference to the Election Commission of India (ECI), consider the following statements:

1. Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission.
2. In a multi-member Commission, institutional independence is compatible with collegial decision-making.
3. The Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission as a collective body are necessarily identical for every decision-making purpose.
4. Reasoned internal decision-making can strengthen institutional accountability.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation: The supplied Indian Express summary describes a petition asking the Supreme Court to examine the distinction between the CEC as chairman and the ECI as a collective decision-making institution. It refers to Article 324 and Section 18 of the 2023 Act and argues that disagreement among members engages majority-based decision-making rules. Statement 3 is the trap: the petition itself concerns whether the two can be treated as institutionally identical for the disputed powers. The matter is before the Court. Elimination principle: independence from external interference does not eliminate internal procedural accountability.

Q2. Strategic Autonomy in U.S.-China Competition

Consider the following statements regarding India's strategy of “de-risk and diversify”:

1. It seeks to reduce excessive dependence on any single external partner.
2. It necessarily requires India to maintain equal political distance from all major powers.
3. Diversified supply chains can strengthen strategic autonomy.
4. Issue-based partnerships can coexist with an independent foreign policy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: The supplied summary records External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar describing the U.S. and China as being in a “competitive mode” and arguing that countries such as India need to de-risk and diversify relationships. Statement 2 is incorrect. Strategic autonomy does not necessarily mean equal distance or isolation. It concerns preserving India's capacity to make independent choices by avoiding excessive dependence. Hidden trap: multi-alignment is not the same as non-engagement. India can cooperate more deeply with different countries in trade, defence, technology or energy while retaining independent positions on issues where interests diverge.