2017 · GS Paper 2 · Q3 · 10 marks
Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government's accountability to the people. Discuss.
In short
Simultaneous elections would cut repeated poll costs and Model Code pauses, but could weaken accountability by removing the mid-term feedback of staggered state polls. An IDFC Institute study (2015) found a 77% chance that voters back the same party for both the Centre and the state when polls coincide.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 290 words
Lower costs
One cycle shares EVMs, staff and security forces; the Centre for Media Studies estimated about Rs 1.35 lakh crore was spent around the 2024 Lok Sabha poll alone.
Fewer policy pauses
The Model Code freezes new schemes in some state almost every year, a paralysis the 2015 Standing Committee flagged.
Governance time
Ministers, teachers and police would spend less time on campaigns and poll duty, freeing governments for long-term reform.
Lost feedback
Staggered state polls act as mid-term referendums on the Union government.
National issues dominate
An IDFC Institute study (2015) found a 77% chance voters back the same party for both the Centre and the state when polls coincide.
Rigid tenure
Fixed terms weaken the no-confidence check unless a constructive vote of no confidence, as in Germany, is adopted.
Federal autonomy
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 would cut short Assembly terms to match the Lok Sabha, tying state mandates to the national calendar.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.