In the context of Rajya Sabha elections, consider the following statements: 1. To be declared a winner, a candidate must secure a specific quota of votes. 2. The voters are the ordinary citizens of the respective State. 3. If a candidate fails to secure the quota in the first round, the candidate with the lowest first-preference votes is eliminated. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 3 only. Explanation Elections to the Rajya Sabha are conducted based on the principle of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV). This is an indirect election system where representatives are chosen by elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies rather than directly by the people. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: To be declared a winner in a Rajya Sabha election, a candidate must secure a specific number of votes known as the quota. The formula for the quota is: Quota = [(Total number of votes polled) / (Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The voters in Rajya Sabha elections are not ordinary citizens. The representatives of each State in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State. It is an indirect election. - Statement 3 is Correct: The Single Transferable Vote system involves a preferential ballot. If a candidate fails to secure the required quota in the first round of counting, the process of vote transfer begins. The candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the second preference marked on the ballot papers. This process continues until the required number of candidates meet the quota. Key Takeaway: Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by elected MLAs using the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote, where securing a specific quota is mandatory for victory.

NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 4: Election and Representation

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In the context of Rajya Sabha elections, consider the following statements:

To be declared a winner, a candidate must secure a specific quota of votes.
The voters are the ordinary citizens of the respective State.
If a candidate fails to secure the quota in the first round, the candidate with the lowest first-preference votes is eliminated.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Elections to the Rajya Sabha are conducted based on the principle of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV). This is an indirect election system where representatives are chosen by elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies rather than directly by the people.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: To be declared a winner in a Rajya Sabha election, a candidate must secure a specific number of votes known as the quota. The formula for the quota is:
Quota = [(Total number of votes polled) / (Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The voters in Rajya Sabha elections are not ordinary citizens. The representatives of each State in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State. It is an indirect election.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Single Transferable Vote system involves a preferential ballot. If a candidate fails to secure the required quota in the first round of counting, the process of vote transfer begins. The candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the second preference marked on the ballot papers. This process continues until the required number of candidates meet the quota.

Key Takeaway: Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by elected MLAs using the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote, where securing a specific quota is mandatory for victory.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Election and Representation

Consider the following statements regarding the "Delimitation Commission": 1. It is appointed by the President. 2. It works in collaboration with the Election Commission. 3. Its main purpose is to conduct the polling on election day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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In the context of democratic elections, the "impartial umpire" refers to:

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Which authority is constitutionally empowered to remove an Election Commissioner, other than the Chief Election Commissioner?

medium

In the Proportional Representation system followed in Israel, voters primarily cast their vote for:

easy

What does the term "Delimitation" refer to in the context of elections?

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Keep practising Chapter 4: Election and Representation

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Solution

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: To be declared a winner in a Rajya Sabha election, a candidate must secure a specific number of votes known as the quota. The formula for the quota is:
Quota = [(Total number of votes polled) / (Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The voters in Rajya Sabha elections are not ordinary citizens. The representatives of each State in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State. It is an indirect election.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Single Transferable Vote system involves a preferential ballot. If a candidate fails to secure the required quota in the first round of counting, the process of vote transfer begins. The candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the second preference marked on the ballot papers. This process continues until the required number of candidates meet the quota.