The Council of Ministers Archives

11. Consider the following statements: A person who is not a member of e

Consider the following statements:

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A person who is not a member of either House of the Parliament can be appointed a member of the Council of Ministers.
Anyone can be appointed as a member of the Council of Ministers for a maximum period of three years.
A person shall not be less than 25 years of age in order to become a minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1, 2 and 3

1 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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

– Statement 1: Article 75(5) of the Constitution states that a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister, but they must become a member of either House within a period of six consecutive months. If they fail to do so, they shall cease to be a Minister at the expiration of that period. Thus, a non-member *can be appointed* as a member of the Council of Ministers. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The maximum period for which a non-member can continue as a Minister without becoming a member of Parliament is six months, not three years. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 3: To become a Minister and continue beyond six months, a person must become a Member of Parliament. The minimum age requirement for being a Member of the Lok Sabha is 25 years (Article 84(b)). While the minimum age for Rajya Sabha is 30, a person can qualify to be an MP by meeting the Lok Sabha age criteria. Thus, effectively, to be able to become a member of Parliament (specifically Lok Sabha) and thereby continue as a minister, one must be at least 25 years of age. This statement is correct in this context.

Ministers are collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This underscores the importance of ministers being members of Parliament, particularly the Lok Sabha, or becoming members promptly after appointment.

12. Consider the following statements: They are a subset of Council of M

Consider the following statements:

They are a subset of Council of Ministers.
The scrutiny of Legislative and Constitutional Amendment Bills gets done in these Committees.

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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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2012

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Statement 1 is incorrect because Parliamentary Committees are composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) from different parties, not necessarily a subset of the Council of Ministers. Ministers may be members of some committees, but the committees are not defined as a subset of the Council of Ministers. Statement 2 is correct as parliamentary committees, such as Select Committees or Joint Committees, are routinely involved in the detailed scrutiny of various bills, including legislative and constitutional amendment bills, referred to them by the House.

– Parliamentary Committees are parliamentary bodies formed to perform specific functions delegated by the Parliament.
– They play a crucial role in the legislative process, including the scrutiny of bills.
– The Council of Ministers is the executive body, headed by the Prime Minister.

Examples of committees that scrutinize bills include Departmentally Related Standing Committees, Select Committees (formed for a specific bill), and Joint Committees (with members from both Houses). While ministers are part of the government and may interact with committees, the committees themselves are organs of Parliament, distinct from the Council of Ministers.

13. Consider the following statements: 1. All decisions of the Council

Consider the following statements:

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1. All decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union must be communicated to the President of India.
2. The President of India can call for any information relating to the administration of the Union.
3. The Prime Minister must submit for consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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All three statements are correct. Article 78 of the Constitution outlines the duties of the Prime Minister. Statement 1 is a duty under Article 78(a): the Prime Minister must communicate all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation to the President. Statement 2 is a duty under Article 78(b): the Prime Minister must furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for. Statement 3 is a duty under Article 78(c): if the President so requires, the Prime Minister must submit for the consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.

Article 78 defines the key link and flow of information between the Council of Ministers (headed by the Prime Minister) and the President of India.

These provisions ensure that the President, as the head of the executive, is kept informed about the functioning of the government and can exercise oversight and influence within the constitutional framework.

14. Who among the following Prime Ministers of India never had to seek tru

Who among the following Prime Ministers of India never had to seek trust vote (vote of confidence) from the Lok Sabha ?

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Indira Gandhi

P.V. Narasimha Rao

H.D. Devegowda

Manmohan Singh

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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Based on common interpretations and reported answers for this specific question despite factual ambiguities, the option D (Manmohan Singh) is often cited as correct.

– The question asks which Prime Minister *never had to seek* a trust vote. This phrasing is open to interpretation.
– Historically, Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, who led governments with large majorities, did not face crucial trust votes or no-confidence motions that threatened their survival. Rajiv Gandhi, during his 1984-89 term, also had a large majority and did not face a critical confidence test in Parliament during that period (though he resigned before a vote of confidence after the 1989 election). However, these names are not among the options.
– Among the given options:
– Indira Gandhi faced numerous no-confidence motions and also initiated confidence votes at critical junctures (e.g., in 1969).
– P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government faced and won a critical no-confidence motion in 1993.
– H.D. Devegowda’s government faced and lost a vote of confidence in 1997.
– Manmohan Singh’s government faced and won a crucial vote of confidence in 2008, which was initiated by the government after withdrawal of support by the Left parties.
– Based on known historical facts, all four Prime Ministers listed in the options *did* face situations where their government’s confidence was tested in the Lok Sabha. Manmohan Singh notably *sought* a trust vote in 2008.
– The question is likely flawed or uses a specific, non-standard definition of “had to seek trust vote” which is not immediately apparent from standard constitutional practice or historical accounts. However, if forced to choose from the options, and noting that PVNR, HDG, and MMS faced recent and highly publicized confidence tests directly linked to government survival in coalition politics, perhaps a distinction is intended regarding Indira Gandhi’s strong majority periods, or some obscure technicality regarding the nature of the 2008 vote for Manmohan Singh. Given conflicting interpretations and potential flaws, it’s difficult to definitively justify any single option as factually correct based on a standard understanding of parliamentary proceedings. However, if we rely on external claims often associated with this specific question, Manmohan Singh is sometimes provided as the answer.

Confidence tests in the Lok Sabha (Vote of Confidence moved by the government/Prime Minister or a No-Confidence Motion moved by the opposition) are mechanisms to ensure the government retains the support of the majority of the House. Governments are constitutionally required to maintain majority support.

15. Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is co

Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is codified in the Constitution of India itself ?

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The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers

The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers

The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet

The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

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Let’s examine each power:
A) The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers: Article 75(1) explicitly states, “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.” This power is directly codified in the Constitution.
B) The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers: This is a key function of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary system, but it is exercised under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, which are made under Article 77(3), rather than being a power directly codified in the main Articles as belonging specifically to the PM.
C) The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and summons its meetings. This is a fundamental aspect of the functioning of the Council of Ministers/Cabinet under parliamentary conventions and rules of procedure, but not explicitly codified as a specific power of the PM in the Articles themselves.
D) The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another: This is also done by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, similar to the initial allocation of portfolios. It falls under the PM’s role in organizing the Council of Ministers but is not a power directly codified in the Constitution’s articles as distinct from the appointment advice.
Comparing the options, the power to advise the President on the appointment of other ministers (A) is the most clearly and directly codified power of the Prime Minister mentioned in the text of the Constitution (Article 75).

While the Prime Minister holds many crucial powers as the head of government and the Council of Ministers, not all of these are explicitly detailed in the Constitution. Many powers are derived from parliamentary conventions and rules of business established under constitutional provisions. The question asks for a power *codified* in the Constitution itself.

Article 78 outlines the duties of the Prime Minister regarding furnishing information to the President, but the specific powers related to running the government, like allocating business or summoning cabinet, are part of the operational framework of the parliamentary system, guided by rules and conventions, stemming from the PM’s position as the head of the Council of Ministers responsible to the Lok Sabha.

16. Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in Ind

Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in India is correct?

According to the Constitution of India, the total number of members of the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 20% of the total number of Members of the House of the People.

The rank of the different Ministers is determined by the President.

The Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Only a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

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Statement A is incorrect. The Constitution was amended by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003, which added Article 75(1A), stating that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the House of the People. The limit is 15%, not 20%.
Statement B is incorrect. While the Ministers are appointed by the President, their rank (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State, etc.) and portfolios are determined by the Prime Minister, who heads the Council of Ministers.
Statement C is correct. Article 75(1) of the Constitution explicitly states, “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.”
Statement D is incorrect. Article 75(5) states that a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister, but they must become a member of either House within six consecutive months, failing which they cease to be a Minister. Therefore, being a member at the time of appointment is not mandatory.

The President is the head of the Union Executive, but acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the appointment and allocation of portfolios among ministers.

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. This highlights the real executive authority resting with the Council of Ministers led by the PM.

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17. Who among the following had the shortest span in office as the Prime M

Who among the following had the shortest span in office as the Prime Minister of India?

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Lal Bahadur Shastri

Chaudhary Charan Singh

Chandra Shekhar

H. D. Deve Gowda

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The correct answer is B) Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Let’s examine the tenures of the listed Prime Ministers:
– Lal Bahadur Shastri: 9 June 1964 – 11 January 1966 (approx. 1 year and 7 months)
– Chaudhary Charan Singh: 28 July 1979 – 14 January 1980 (approx. 5 months and 17 days)
– Chandra Shekhar: 10 November 1990 – 21 June 1991 (approx. 7 months and 11 days)
– H. D. Deve Gowda: 1 June 1996 – 21 April 1997 (approx. 10 months and 20 days)
Comparing these tenures, Chaudhary Charan Singh had the shortest span in office.

Chaudhary Charan Singh’s government was a minority government supported by the Congress party, which later withdrew its support, leading to his resignation without ever facing Parliament. Among the options provided, his term was the shortest. V.P. Singh (Dec 1989 – Nov 1990) also had a relatively short term (just under a year), but he is not among the options.

18. The total number of members in the Union Council of Ministers in India

The total number of members in the Union Council of Ministers in India shall not exceed

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10% of the total number of members of the Parliament

15% of the total number of members of the Parliament

10% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha

15% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 amended Article 75(1A) of the Constitution to limit the size of the Council of Ministers at the Centre. It stipulates that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

The maximum strength of the Union Council of Ministers is capped at 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003.

This amendment was enacted to prevent oversized councils of ministers and to curb defection. A similar limitation was also placed on the size of state Councils of Ministers under Article 164(1A), limiting them to 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that state, provided that the number of ministers in a state shall not be less than twelve.

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

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

All executive actions of the Government of India are taken in the name of the President of India.

The President of India appoints a person as Attorney General of India provided she/he is qualified to be a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court.

The total number of Ministers in the Council of Ministers cannot exceed ten percent of the total number of members of the House of People.

The President of India is bound to act as per the advice tendered by the Council of Ministers.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2022

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Article 74(1A), inserted by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003, states that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Statement C incorrectly states the limit as ten percent.

The maximum strength of the Council of Ministers in the Union is capped at fifteen percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.

Option A is correct as per Article 77(1). Option B is incorrect because Article 76(1) states that the President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the *Supreme Court* as the Attorney General, not Supreme Court *or* High Court. However, Option C presents a clearer factual error in the percentage figure. Option D is correct as per Article 74(1), as amended by the 42nd and 44th Constitutional Amendment Acts, making the President bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers (with a provision for sending advice back for reconsideration once). Given that C is a clear factual error regarding a significant amendment, it is the most likely intended incorrect statement.

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20. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India requi

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India requires the Prime Minister of India to furnish information related to decisions of the Council of Ministers to the President of India?

Article 78

Article 74

Article 75

Article 81

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2022

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Article 78 of the Constitution of India outlines the duties of the Prime Minister. Clause (a) of Article 78 explicitly states that it shall be the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.

Article 78 defines the Prime Minister’s duty to inform the President about decisions of the Council of Ministers and matters of administration and legislation.

Article 74 deals with the Council of Ministers aiding and advising the President. Article 75 deals with other provisions relating to Ministers, such as appointment, term of office, salary, and collective responsibility. Article 81 deals with the composition of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

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