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

Total Questions: 42

1. Consider the following statements regarding a 'No- Confidence Motion in India: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

1. There is no mention of a 'No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.

2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.

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

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:The No-Confidence motion may be introduced only in Lok Sabha, and No-confidence motion is not mentioned in the Constitution. The procedure for 'No-Confidence Motion' is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business of Lok Sabha (Rule No-1983. Thus both the statements are correct.

2. Which one of the following statement is not correct regarding "No-Confidence Motion"? [Raj. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution embodies the rule, which specifies that the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. For testing this collective responsibility, the rules of Lok Sabha provide a particular mechanism, a motion of no-confidence. The Constitution of India does not mention either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion. A motion of "No Confidence against the Government can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under Rule 198. According to Rule 198(1) (b), the member asking for such leave would need to give a written notice of the motion to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha. Any Lok Sabha MP, who can gather the support of 50 colleagues, can, at any point of time, introduce a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers. It was during the third Lok Sabha in 1963 that the first motion of no-confidence was moved by Acharya J.B. Kripalani against the government headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. So far, 28 no-confidence motions (the 28 motion was brought on the ongoing situation in Manipur) and 11 confidence motions have been discussed (till 15 August 2023). The 50% of all confidence motions (14 out of 28) were discussed between 1965 and 1975. Of these, 12 were against governments headed by Indira Gandhi. [Note: The Commission (deleted the question).

3. Which one of the following is not a correct situation arising after the resignation of the Council of Ministers? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) President's Rule will be imposed.
Solution:President Rule will not be imposed on the resignation of the Council of Ministers. Rest all options are correct.
  • The President's Rule (Article 356), also known as the Governor's Rule, refers to a period when the constitutional machinery in a State has failed, and the State government
    is unable to function in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
  • It is a period when the autonomy of the State Government is temporarily suspended, and the Central government assumes direct control over the State's administration.
  • The President's Rule is also known as 'Constitutional Emergency' or 'State Emergency'.
    o However, the Indian Constitution does not use the word "Emergency" for this situation.
  • The imposition of the President's Rule empowers the Central government to suspend the State Legislature and govern the State through the office of the Governor.
    o This centralization of authority is intended to restore constitutional order, ensure the continuity of governance, and protect the interests of the citizens when the regular State machinery is unable to function.

4. Which leader of Madhya Pradesh became the Defence Minister first and later Home Minister in Nehru's Cabinet? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Kailash Nath Katju
Solution:Kailash Nath Katju was included in Nehru's Cabinet in the year 1951 as Law Minister, and in the same year, he became the third Home Minister of the country. Later, in 1955, he held the office of Defence Minister. He also served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from 1957 to 1962.

He defended the accused in the Meerut Conspiracy Case in Allahabad High Court in 1933 and later the military officers accused at the INA trial at Red Fort in Delhi. On 17 July 1937, he became the Minister of Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of the United Provinces in the Govind Ballabh Pant's cabinet. The ministry resigned on 2 November 1939 and soon he was imprisoned for 18 months. He was again imprisoned in 1942. He also served in the Constituent Assembly of India. Following the independence of India, he held many high political positions. Initially he was the Governor of Odisha from 15 August 1947 to 20 June 1948. He became the Governor of West Bengal on 21 June 1948 and was in office till 31 October 1951. In 1951 he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mandsaur constituency, joining the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru as Law Minister in 1951. In November 1951 he succeeded C. Rajagopalachari as the country's third Home Minister. In 1955 he was made the Defence Minister. He became the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on 31 January 1957, remaining in office till 11 March 1962

5. Who was the First Finance Minister of Independent India? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (e) R.K. Chetty
Solution:R.K. Shanmukham Chetty served as the first Finance Minister of independent India (1947-1948) in Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet.

Chetty, a lawyer, economist, industrialist, and politician, served as the President of India's Central Legislative Assembly from 1933 to 1935 before taking on the role of Finance Minister.
Chetty, born on 17th October 1892 in Coimbatore, was a well-educated man who studied economics at Madras Christian College and graduated in law from Madras Law College, He joined politics after completing his education and served in both the Indian nationalist Swaraj Party and the Justice Party. He was also the Diwan of the Cochin kingdom from 1935 to 1941.

6. Who was the Law Minister in the first Cabinet of post- independence India? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013 ]

Correct Answer: (d) B.R. Ambedkar
Solution:Ambedkar was the first Law Minister of post- independence India, while Jogendra Nath Mandal was the Law Minister in the interim government formed in 1946.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as the "Architect of the Indian Constitution," was a pioneering leader, social reformer, and champion of Dalit rights. Born into a Dalit "untouchable" family, Ambedkar overcame immense social discrimination to become one of the most educated Indians of his time, earning doctorates in law and economics.
His contributions span across drafting the Indian Constitution, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, and fighting tirelessly to end untouchability. As India's first Law Minister, he introduced reforms promoting social justice and equality. His legacy continues to inspire movements for equality and justice in India and beyond.

7. Among the following given names, whose portfolio in the first cabinet of India (1947) was different from his portfolio in the Interim Government (1946)? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(1) Jagjivan Ram

(iii) C.H. Bhabha

(ii) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

(iv) Sardar Baldev Singh.

Correct Answer: (d) Only (iii).
Solution:Portfolio in the Interim Cabinet are as follows:

Food and Agriculture - Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Labour - Jagjivan Ram, Defence Sardar Baldev Singh, Works Mines and Power - C.H. Bhabha.

Portfolio in the First cabinet of Independent India are as follows: Food and Agriculture - Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Defence Sardar Baldev Singh, Labour - Jagjivan Ram, Commerce C.H. Bhabha.

Thus the Portfolio of C.H. Bhabha in the first Cabinet of Independent India was different from his Portfolio in the Interim Government. So the correct answer is the option (d).

8. Who was the 12th Prime Minister of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Deve Gowda
Solution:Deve Gowda was the 12 Prime Minister of India (including the term of acting Prime Minister Gulzari Lal Nanda). Narendra Modi is the 15 Prime Minister of India.

Starting with the Congress, he carved his own path, forming the Janata Dal and becoming Karnataka's Chief Minister (1994-96). This regional clout propelled him to become India's 11th Prime Minister (1996-97), though his short tenure faced coalition complexities. Back in Karnataka, he remained a kingmaker, influencing state politics through strategic alliances. His legacy lies in rural development initiatives, infrastructure projects like the National Highway Development Project, and his championing of social justice. Despite political challenges, Gowda's rise from grassroots to national leadership and his continued influence stand as a testament to his political acumen and deep connection to his roots.

9. Match the Prime Ministers with their tenure. [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

List-IList-II
A. Deve Gowdai. 1999-2004
B. Chandra Shekharii. 1989-90
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayeeiii. 1990-91
D. Inder Kumar Gujraliv. 1996-97
E. Vishwanath Pratap Singhv. 1997-98

 

Code :
ABCDE
(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)
(b)(v)(iv)(iii)(ii)(i)
(c)(iii)(i)(ii)(v)(iv)
(d)(iv)(iii)(i)(v)(ii)
(e)(ii)(i)(iii)(v)(iv)
Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:
List-IList-II
Vishwanath Pratap Singh1989-90
Chandra Shekhar1990-91
H.D. Deve Gowda1996-97
Inder Kumar Gujral1997-98
Atal Bihari Vajpayee1999-2004

Significantly, the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime is as follows:

He took charge as Prime Minister of India on May 16-1996, to June 1, and from match 19, 1998 to April 26, 1999 and from October 13, 1999 to May 22, 2004.

10. Who among the following held the office of the Prime Minister of India more than once? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

1. Jawaharlal Nehru

2. Indira Gandhi

3. Gulzari Lal Nanda

4. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Choose the correct code:

Correct Answer: (d) All of above
Solution:All the persons mentioned above have held the office of the Prime Minister of India more than once, and Gulzari Lal Nanda was the Acting Prime Minister twice.

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'.