The Council of Ministers Archives

1. A member who has resigned the office of Minister may, with the consent

A member who has resigned the office of Minister may, with the consent of the Speaker, make a personal statement in explanation of her or his resignation on any day during the session in which the resignation has been accepted by

the Prime Minister

the Secretary-General

the Vice President

the President

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC SO-Steno – 2018

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A member who has resigned the office of Minister may make a personal statement regarding their resignation on any day during the session in which the resignation has been accepted by the President.

Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and hold office during the pleasure of the President (Article 75(1) & (2)). While a Minister might submit their resignation to the Prime Minister, the formal acceptance is done by the President. Rule 234 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha allows a former Minister to make a statement regarding their resignation once it has been accepted.

The permission of the Speaker is required for the former Minister to make such a statement in the House. This provides the Minister with an opportunity to explain the reasons behind their resignation to the Parliament and the public.

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2. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India menti

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India mentions the provision of Council of Minister for aid and advice of the President of India ?

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Article 63

Article 66

Article 74

Article 77

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024

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Article 74 of the Constitution of India mentions the provision of Council of Minister for aid and advice of the President of India.

Article 74(1) states that “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.” The Article essentially establishes the parliamentary system at the Union level, where the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 added a proviso allowing the President to require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice, but requiring the President to act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.

3. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India deals

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India deals with the Council of Ministers?

Article 44

Article 74

Article 101

Article 123

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20

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Article 74 of the Constitution of India deals with the Council of Ministers.

– Article 74 states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
– Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure, responsibility, qualifications, oath, and salaries and allowances of the ministers.

Article 44 relates to the Uniform Civil Code. Article 101 relates to the vacation of seats in Parliament. Article 123 deals with the President’s power to promulgate Ordinances during the recess of Parliament.

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4. Which one of the following statements about the Union Council of Minis

Which one of the following statements about the Union Council of Ministers is not correct?

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The Prime Minister is the Head of the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers advises the President in the exercise of his function.

The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider any advice.

The advice given by the Council of Ministers is subject to judicial scrutiny.

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2017

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The correct answer is The advice given by the Council of Ministers is subject to judicial scrutiny.

This statement is incorrect. Article 74(2) of the Constitution of India explicitly states that “the question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any court.” This grants confidentiality and immunity from judicial review to the advice given by the Council of Ministers to the President.

Statements A, B, and C are correct regarding the Union Council of Ministers. Article 74(1) states that the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head shall aid and advise the President. The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, added a proviso to Article 74(1) stating that the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration. While the *advice* itself is immune from judicial scrutiny, the *actions* taken by the President based on that advice are not immune and can be subject to judicial review on grounds like illegality or unconstitutionality.

5. Consider the following statements: The Constitution of India classif

Consider the following statements:

The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Only statement 2 is correct.

The Constitution of India does not classify the ministers into specific ranks like Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister. This classification is based on convention and practice (Statement 1 is incorrect). The 91st Amendment Act, 2003, inserted clause (1A) in Article 75, which limits the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers to fifteen percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (Statement 2 is correct).

The size of the Council of Ministers before the 91st Amendment was not constitutionally limited, leading to large cabinets. The amendment aimed to limit the size of the Council of Ministers and to curb defections.

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6. Consider the following statements : 1. The Executive Power of the Un

Consider the following statements :

1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statement 1 is incorrect. According to Article 53 of the Constitution, the executive power of the Union is vested in the President of India and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution. While the Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers which aids and advises the President, the formal executive power is vested in the President.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Cabinet Secretary of India is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. The Prime Minister is the political head of the government but does not directly chair the Civil Services Board.

– The President is the constitutional head of the executive in India.
– The Cabinet Secretary is the head of the Civil Services Board.
– The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers and is the real executive head in the parliamentary system.

The Civil Services Board is a committee that makes recommendations for the transfers and postings of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. The Cabinet Secretary, as the head of the bureaucracy, chairs this board.

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7. Consider the following statements: 1. The President shall make rules

Consider the following statements:

1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
2. All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Statement 1 is correct: Article 77(3) of the Constitution states, “The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.” These are known as the ‘Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules’ and ‘Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules’.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 77(1) of the Constitution states, “All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the *President*.” While the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and is responsible for the day-to-day governance, formal executive actions are taken in the name of the President as the constitutional head of the executive.

– The President of India is the formal head of the executive and makes rules for the transaction of government business and allocation of portfolios.
– All executive actions of the Union Government are formally taken in the name of the President.
– The Prime Minister is the real executive head, but acts in the name of the President.

The ‘Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules’ allocate responsibilities among the various Ministries and Departments. The ‘Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules’ prescribe the procedure for the disposal of business by the government, including matters requiring submission to the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees, or the President.

8. Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in th

Consider the following statements:

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1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President the proposals for legislation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2013

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The correct answer is B) 2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect, while statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Council of Ministers in the Centre is collectively responsible to the *Lok Sabha* (House of the People), not the entire Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). This is a fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy as enshrined in Article 75(3) of the Constitution. Statement 2 is correct as per Article 75(2) of the Constitution; Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, though this power is exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister. Statement 3 is correct as per Article 78(a) of the Constitution, which makes it the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union and proposals for legislation.

The collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha means that the Council of Ministers stays in power as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The individual responsibility of ministers to the President implies that a minister can be removed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Article 78 outlines the duties of the Prime Minister regarding communication with the President and providing information.

9. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

A censure motion can be moved against a single Minister of the Council of Ministers.

A motion of no-confidence cannot be moved against the Prime Minister alone.

A censure motion cannot be moved against the entire Council of Ministers.

A censure motion can be moved against a group of Ministers.

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2022

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The question asks which statement is NOT correct.
A) A censure motion can be moved against a single Minister. This is correct.
B) A motion of no-confidence cannot be moved against the Prime Minister alone. This is correct; a no-confidence motion must be moved against the entire Council of Ministers.
C) A censure motion cannot be moved against the entire Council of Ministers. This is incorrect. A censure motion can be moved against an individual minister, a group of ministers, or the entire Council of Ministers to express strong disapproval of their policy or action.
D) A censure motion can be moved against a group of Ministers. This is correct.
Therefore, the incorrect statement is C.

A censure motion needs to state the reasons for its adoption, unlike a no-confidence motion. If a censure motion is passed by the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers is not obliged to resign (though it indicates a loss of confidence and may lead to a no-confidence motion). If a no-confidence motion is passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.

A no-confidence motion can only be moved in the Lok Sabha and requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted. A censure motion can also only be moved in the Lok Sabha.

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10. Which among the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet

Which among the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

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1. To ensure interministerial coordi- nation
2. Management of major crisis situations in the country

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2022

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Both ensuring inter-ministerial coordination and playing a role in the management of major crisis situations are functions of the Cabinet Secretariat.

The Cabinet Secretariat provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its committees, facilitating coordination among ministries and departments. The Cabinet Secretary also heads the Crisis Management Group, which reviews and coordinates the response to major crises in the country.

The Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. It is responsible for administering the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules and the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, which govern the working of ministries and departments.