Which one of the following constitutional authorities has the power to inquire into and decide doubts and disputes arising out of the election of the President and the Vice President of India?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of which constitutional body is empowered to resolve disputes related to the election of the President and the Vice President of India. Elections to these highest offices must be free and fair, and any doubt or dispute needs an authoritative and final decision. The Constitution specifies a particular authority for this purpose, and you must recall that provision correctly.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question is about doubts and disputes concerning the election of the President and Vice President.
The options include the Supreme Court, the Election Commission, a Parliamentary Committee, and the High Court of Delhi.
We assume that the question refers to the constitutional provision governing such disputes, not to internal procedural issues.

Concept / Approach:
Article 71 of the Constitution of India deals with matters related to the election of the President and Vice President. It states that all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court, whose decision shall be final. While the Election Commission conducts the election process, it does not decide disputes concerning the validity of the election result. Parliamentary committees and High Courts are not given this authority in relation to Presidential and Vice Presidential elections.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall Article 71, which explicitly names the Supreme Court as the authority to inquire into and decide disputes concerning the election of the President and Vice President.Step 2: Note that the Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting and supervising election procedures but does not have final adjudicatory power over disputes regarding the validity of these particular elections.Step 3: Remember that no Parliamentary Committee is given constitutional authority to decide election disputes for these offices.Step 4: High Courts, including the High Court of Delhi, handle election petitions for MPs and MLAs under relevant laws, but disputes related to Presidential and Vice Presidential elections fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Hence the correct answer is the Supreme Court of India.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard polity texts clearly mention that in the case of an election dispute for the President or Vice President, an election petition is presented directly to the Supreme Court. The Court then inquires into the matter and its decision is final. These sources also emphasise the special status of these elections, which bypass the High Courts and ordinary election tribunals. No credible source suggests that the Election Commission or a Parliamentary Committee has final authority to decide such disputes, confirming that the Supreme Court is the only correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Election Commission of India conducts elections and supervises the process, but it does not decide final disputes regarding the validity of the election result for the President or Vice President, so Option b is incorrect.

A Parliamentary Committee has no constitutional mandate to adjudicate Presidential or Vice Presidential election disputes; its role is limited to legislative and oversight functions, so Option c is wrong.
The High Court of Delhi, like other High Courts, may handle election petitions for members of Parliament or State legislatures but has no jurisdiction over the election disputes of these top constitutional offices, so Option d is also incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates incorrectly assume that because the Election Commission runs the election, it must also decide disputes about the result. Others might think of High Courts or Parliamentary bodies as natural forums for such matters. To avoid this confusion, remember the special constitutional position of the President and Vice President, and that Article 71 gives the Supreme Court the exclusive authority to settle doubts and disputes about their elections. This detail often appears in exam oriented summaries and should be memorised.

Final Answer:
The Supreme Court of India is the constitutional authority that inquires into and decides disputes arising out of the election of the President and Vice President.