The Council of Ministers (Indian Polity and Governance) Part-I

Total Questions: 40

11. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

1. N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.

2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister's charge.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Sh. N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, in his Report namely Reorganization of the Machinery of Central Government in 1950 recommended for the grouping of ministries, improvement in the capabilities of the personnel, and also in the working of the O&M Division.

It no where mentions that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. On 7th February 1973, the work relating to the Department of Administrative Reforms was transferred to the Department of Personnel created under Cabinet Secretariat on 1" August 1970, and was re-designated as the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.

In April 1977, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms was shifted from the Cabinet Secretariat to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In March 1985, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms was elevated to a full- fledged Ministry of Personnel and Training, Administrative Reforms, Public Grievances and Pensions.

On December 10,1985 Ministry of Personnel and Training. Administrative Reforms, Public Grievances and Pensions was re-designated as the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions with three departments namely, Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare. This Ministry was placed under the overall charge of the Prime Minister assisted by a Minister of State. Hence, statement 2 is also not correct.

12. With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

1. The Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are created by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary.

2. Each of the Ministries is assigned to a Minister by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:The Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are not created by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary is the head of the Cabinet Secretariat. He is also the chairman of the Civil Services Board. Each of the Ministries is assigned to a Minister by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister. Hence, statement (1) is incorrect, and statement (2) is correct.

13. Who exercises the actual/executive power under the parliamentary form of Government? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Prime Minister
Solution:
  • A Prime Minister is the head of government in India's political setup. He is the de facto head of state.
  • The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of india and is the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament.
  • The Prime Minister is responsible for the administration of the government and serves as the chief spokesperson for the government's policies.
  • Under Article 75, the Council of Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Also, Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with a Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. Thus, other ministers work under the direction of the Prime
    Minister.
  • Hence, in the parliamentary system of India, the role of the Prime Minister has become so significant and crucial that the form of government in India is called a 'Prime Ministerial Government'.

14. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

1. The President shall make rules for 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 statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Article 77(1) says that all executive action of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the President. So, statement (2) is wrong whereas statement (1) is right. According to Article 77(3) the President shall make a rule for more convenient transaction of the business of Government of India and for allocation among Ministers of the said business.

15. If the Prime Minister of India belongs to the Upper House of Parliament: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (a) He will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion
Solution:The Prime Minister or any Cabinet Minister has the right to speak and vote in the House where he is a member, but in the House where he is not a member, he can speak but does not have the right to vote. A Prime Minister, who belongs to the upper House of Parliament, cannot vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion.

16. Which Article of the Indian Constitution describes the appointment and disqualification of the Council of Ministers. [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (d) Article 75
Solution:
ArticleDescription
Article 75(1)The President shall appoint the Prime Minister who, in his opinion, commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha
Article 75(1)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
Article 75(1)The Prime Minister shall be the head of the Council of Ministers
Article 75(3)The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
Article 75(2)The Prime Minister can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence passed by a majority of the members of the Lok Sabha, or if he resigns from office.
Article 75(3)The Prime Minister holds office during the pleasure of the President but must have the support of a majority of the Lok Sabha.
Article 84(2)Must be a citizen of India and a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.

17. Prime Minister of India is generally- [47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Member of Lok Sabha
Solution:The Prime Minister of India is generally a member of the Lok Sabha, but this is not compulsory or restricted. He can be a member of the Rajya Sabha. Indira Gandhi was the first PM from the Rajya Sabha at the time of appointment but later became a member of Lok Sabha.
  • A Prime Minister is the head of government in India's political setup. He is the de facto head of state.
  • The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of india and is the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament.
  • The Prime Minister is responsible for the administration of the government and serves as the chief spokesperson for the government's policies.
  • Under Article 75, the Council of Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Also, Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with a Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. Thus, other ministers work under the direction of the Prime
    Minister.
  • Hence, in the parliamentary system of India, the role of the Prime Minister has become so significant and crucial that the form of government in India is called a 'Prime Ministerial Government'.

18. The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment- [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (a) Need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but must become a member of one of the Houses within six months.
Solution:Article 75(5) says that a person who is not a member of either House can become a minister, but he cannot continue as minister for more than 6 months unless he secures a seat in either House of Parliament (by election or by nomination). These provisions also apply to the Prime Minister. So, option (a) is the correct answer.

The Constitution does not specify a particular process for selecting and appointing a Prime Minister.

  • According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. However, this does not mean the President can choose any person as Prime Minister.
  • In line with the conventions of a parliamentary government system, the President typically appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
  • When no party holds a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President may use their discretion in selecting and appointing the Prime Minister.
  • In such cases, the President usually chooses the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister and requests that they obtain a vote of confidence from the House within a month.

19. What is the minimum age requirement to become the Prime Minister of India? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (b) 25 years
Solution:The minimum age requirement to become the Prime Minister of India is the same as that of a person to be a member of Lok Sabha, i.e. 25 years.

The Constitution does not specify a particular process for selecting and appointing a Prime Minister.

  • According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. However, this does not mean the President can choose any person as Prime Minister.
  • In line with the conventions of a parliamentary government system, the President typically appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
  • When no party holds a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President may use their discretion in selecting and appointing the Prime Minister.
  • In such cases, the President usually chooses the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister and requests that they obtain a vote of confidence from the House within a month.

20. The Prime Minister is- [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) Appointed by the President
Solution:Article 75(1) says that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Article 75(2) says that the Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President.

The Constitution does not specify a particular process for selecting and appointing a Prime Minister.

  • According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. However, this does not mean the President can choose any person as Prime Minister.
  • In line with the conventions of a parliamentary government system, the President typically appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
  • When no party holds a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President may use their discretion in selecting and appointing the Prime Minister.
  • In such cases, the President usually chooses the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister and requests that they obtain a vote of confidence from the House within a month.