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

Total Questions: 40

31. Consider the following statements in the context of Indian Constitution: [U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

1. The Union Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

2. Union Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Prime Minister.

Correct Answer: (a) Only 1 is correct
Solution:
  • The principle of collective responsibility is a cornerstone of the parliamentary system of government, as outlined in Article 75 of the constitution.
  • This principle holds that all members of the council of ministers are jointly responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning they must work as a team and take responsibility for their actions as a group.
  • When the Lok Sabha passes a motion of no confidence against the council of ministers, all members of the council must resign, including those from the Rajya Sabha.
  • Additionally, the principle of collective responsibility also means that all cabinet ministers, as well as other ministers, are bound by decisions made by the Cabinet, even if they disagree with them during the Cabinet meeting.

32. Assertion (A): The Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible both to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Reason (R): The members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are eligible to be the Ministers of the Union Government. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021, U.P. B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Solution:The Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha only [Article 75(3)]. So, Assertion (A) is false. The Union Minister can be a member of either House of the Parliament, but he is eligible to vote only in the House to which he belongs. Thus, Reason (R) is true.
  • The principle of collective responsibility is a cornerstone of the parliamentary system of government, as outlined in Article 75 of the constitution.
  • This principle holds that all members of the council of ministers are jointly responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning they must work as a team and take responsibility for their actions as a group.
  • When the Lok Sabha passes a motion of no confidence against the council of ministers, all members of the council must resign, including those from the Rajya Sabha.
  • Additionally, the principle of collective responsibility also means that all cabinet ministers, as well as other ministers, are bound by decisions made by the Cabinet, even if they disagree with them during the Cabinet meeting.

33. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.

2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.

3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Solution:Statement I is incorrect. According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and not the Parliament. Statement 2 is correct as according to Article 75(2), ministers hold the office during the pleasure of the President. Statement 3 is also correct as Article 78(a) provides that it shall be the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all the decisions of the Council of Ministers related to the Administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.

34. Which one of the following is not explicitly stated in the Constitution of India but followed as a convention? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]

Correct Answer: (b) The Prime Minister has to resign if he loses the majority in the Lower House.
Solution:After losing the majority in the Lower House, the Prime Minister has to resign. This is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but conventionally he resigns as he is the head of the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the House of the People according to Article 75(3).
  • In parliamentary democracies, the Prime Minister's position is not fixed for a specific term like the President's. They hold office as long as they can demonstrate the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
  • A vote of no confidence is a formal process where a majority of the Lok Sabha members vote against the Prime Minister, indicating they no longer support the government.
  • If a vote of no confidence is successful, the Prime Minister typically has two options: either resign from their position or advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections.
  • If the Prime Minister resigns, the President may invite the leader of the opposition party or a coalition to form a new government, provided they can demonstrate majority support.
  • These practices are often established through constitutional conventions and parliamentary procedures, rather than being explicitly stated in the constitution.

35. In Indian Polity, the executive is subordinate to the- [45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (b) Legislature
Solution:In Indian Polity, the Executive is subordinate to the Legislature. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the country. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People.
  • India has a parliamentary system where the executive is drawn from and accountable to the legislature.
  • The executive is accountable to the legislature and can be removed from power through a vote of no confidence.
  • While the executive is subordinate, the Indian Constitution also incorporates a system of checks and balances between the three branches (executive, legislature, and judiciary) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
  • This subordination is not a complete subservience but rather an accountability relationship where the executive is answerable to the legislature for its actions and policies.
  • The Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers are chosen from the members of Parliament, and they remain in power as long as they maintain the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament).

36. Which one of the following motions, the Council of Ministers in India can move? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Confidence Motion
Solution:The Council of Ministers in India can move "Confidence Motion". A Motion of 'No Confidence' can be introduced. only in Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Parliament). The Government brings the 'Motion of Confidence' in Lok Sabha when it has to prove the confidence or support of a majority in the House of People (Lok Sabha).

A confidence motion is used to demonstrate that the government or a specific policy has the support of the majority in the legislature. It's a way for the government to proactively prove its legitimacy and ability to govern. In some systems, it can be used to avoid a no-confidence motion (a motion expressing lack of confidence).
How it works:

  • A confidence motion is proposed by a member of the government, typically the Prime Minister or a senior minister.
  • The motion is debated in the legislature.
  • A vote is held, and if a majority of the members vote in favor, the motion is passed.
  • If the motion fails, the government is expected to resign or take other steps to demonstrate its ability to govern.

37. The Council of Ministers has to resign if a no-confidence motion is passed by a majority of members of- [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (a) Lok Sabha
Solution:The Council of Ministers in India can move "Confidence Motion". A Motion of 'No Confidence' can be introduced. only in Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Parliament). The Government brings the 'Motion of Confidence' in Lok Sabha when it has to prove the confidence or support of a majority in the House of People (Lok Sabha).

The essence of Non Confidence motion lies in the Article 75 in the Constitution Of India.
The Article 75 states that:

  • (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
  • (2) The Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the President
  • (3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People
  • (4) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the President shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
  • (5) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
  • (6) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as Parliament may from time to time by law determine and, until Parliament so determines, shall be as specified in the Second Schedule The Attorney General for India.

38. After resigning, whose permission does a minister require to give a statement in Lok Sabha? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (b) Speaker
Solution:If a member resigns from the office of Minister, he can make a statement in the House about his resignation when allowed by the Speaker. It is, however, open to the member to make a statement or not, and he cannot be compelled to do so.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. According to Article 94, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha shall be chosen from amongst the members of the house and shall vacate his/her office when he/she ceases to be a member of the house.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, requiring 14 days' notice before the resolution is moved. This process is outlined in Article 94 of the Constitution and the rules of procedure.

39. The number of Lok Sabha members required to table a 'No Confidence Motion against the Council of Ministers is- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (c) 50th
Solution:A minimum of 50 members are required to table a 'No Confidence Motion' against the Council of Ministers.

The essence of Non Confidence motion lies in the Article 75 in the Constitution Of India.
The Article 75 states that:

  • (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
  • (2) The Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the President
  • (3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People
  • (4) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the President shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
  • (5) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
  • (6) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as Parliament may from time to time by law determine and, until Parliament so determines, shall be as specified in the Second Schedule The Attorney General for India.

40. The least number of members who can table the No Confidence Motion against the Council of Ministers in Lok Sabha is- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (d) 50th
Solution:A minimum of 50 members are required to table a 'No Confidence Motion' against the Council of Ministers.

The essence of Non Confidence motion lies in the Article 75 in the Constitution Of India.
The Article 75 states that:

  • (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
  • (2) The Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the President
  • (3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People
  • (4) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the President shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
  • (5) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
  • (6) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as Parliament may from time to time by law determine and, until Parliament so determines, shall be as specified in the Second Schedule The Attorney General for India.