Explanation
- A
Fundamental Right
Voting in elections is not listed among the Fundamental Rights in Part III. Freedom of speech and equality are FRs; adult suffrage is placed elsewhere. This option is not the key.
- B
Natural Right
Natural rights are a philosophical category (life, liberty) not the Indian constitutional classification of the vote. This option is therefore wrong.
- C
Constitutional Right
The right to vote is a constitutional right flowing from Article 326 (adult suffrage) and related electoral provisions, as the Supreme Court has treated it (distinct from FRs). The right to be elected is similarly a constitutional/statutory electoral right, not a Part III freedom. That is why (c) is the official key.
- D
Legal Right
Calling it only a legal right undersells its constitutional anchoring in Article 326, even though the Representation of the People Act supplies the machinery. Official key prefers constitutional right. This option is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (c) Constitutional Right. Article 326 provides universal adult suffrage. Part III does not enumerate a fundamental right to vote. Natural-rights language is not how the Constitution catalogues this power. Statutes run elections, but the suffrage principle is constitutional. Only (c) matches the standard UPSC answer.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2025 · Q87 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution. II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political Ammediately party III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2017 · Q1 · General Studies · 2 marks
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2017 · Q76 · General Studies · 2 marks
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