UPSC Prelims 2018·GS1·polity-and-governance·governance

Consider the following statements: 1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party. 2. In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was recognised for the first time in 1969. 3. In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 and 3 only
  2. B2 onlyCorrect
  3. C2 and 3 only
  4. D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: In the first Lok Sabha (1952-1957), the single largest party in the opposition was the Communist Party of India (CPI), which secured 16 seats. The Swatantra Party was formed much later, in 1959. Statement 2 is correct: While the concept of a 'Leader of the Opposition' existed informally, the position was officially recognized for the first time in 1969. Dr. Ram Subhag Singh was the first to be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Statement 3 is incorrect: For a party to be recognized as the principal opposition party and for its leader to be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the party must have a minimum of 10% of the total strength of the House. For a Lok Sabha with a total strength of 543 elected members, this minimum is 55 members, not 75 members.
polity-and-governance: Consider the following statements: 1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatant
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