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

Total Questions: 42

11. Who among the following occupied the office of the Prime Minister of India more than once with gaps in between their political career ? [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

1. Jawaharlal Nehru

2. Lal Bahadur Shastri

3. Gulzari Lal Nanda

4. Indira Gandhi

5. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Correct Answer: (c) 3, 4 and 5 only
Solution:Except for Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the other rest three have held the office of the Prime Minister of India more than once with gaps in between their tenure.
Gulzarilal Nanda (27 May 1964-9 June 1964, 11 Jan 1966- 24 January 1966).
Indira Gandhi (24 May 1966-24 March 1977, 14 Jan 1980- 31 Oct 1984).
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (16 May 1996-1 June 1996), 19 March 1998-22 May 2004).

12. Which Prime Minister died outside India? [M.PP.CS. (Pre) 1995]

Correct Answer: (c) Lal Bahadur Shashtri
Solution:The second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shashtri died, outside India, in Tashkent (the Capital city of Uzbekistan) on 11 January, 1966.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was a humble leader who became India's second Prime Minister (1964-66) after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru. He was a seasoned freedom fighter who had served nine years in prison. Following independence, he held several ministerial and party positions in the Indian National Congress. Apart from being General Secretary of the Congress, he was also responsible for railways, transportation, and commerce.
Among the Shastri era's long-term legacies were India's attainment of self-sufficiency in food and India's defence in the 1965 war. For this, he gave the nation the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and exhorted the people to make all sacrifices in honour of India.

13. Match the following States and their respective Chief Ministers, who became Prime Minister of India. [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

List-IList-II
A. P.V. Narasimha Raoi. Undivided Uttar Pradesh
B. Morarji Desaiii. Undivided Andhra Pradesh
C. H.D. Devegowdaiii. Gujarat
D. Charan Singhiv. Karnataka
E. Narendra Modiv. Bombay

 

Code:
ABCDE
(a)(iv)(v)(ii)(i)(iii)
(b)(iv)(ii)(v)(i)(iii)
(c)(ii)(i)(iv)(v)(iii)
(d)(ii)(v)(iv)(i)(iii)
Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:Chief Minister who became Prime Ministers:
List-IList-II
P.V. Narasimha RaoUndivided Andhra Pradesh
Morarji DesaiBombay
H.D. DevegowdaKarnataka
Charan SinghUndivided Uttar Pradesh
Narendra ModiGujarat

14. Who amongst the following had never been the Chief Minister of any State before becoming the Prime Minister of India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) Chandra Shekhar
Solution:Chandra Shekhar had never been the Chief Minister of any State before becoming the Prime Minister of India.

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'.

15. Which of the following person was not a Chief Minister of any state before holding the office of Prime Minister? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (d) Chandra Shekhar
Solution:Except for Chandra Shekhar, all the three had served as Chief Minister of a State, before holding the office of Prime Minister.

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'.

16. Who among the following was the member of Lok Sabha during his Prime Ministership? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (c) Chandra Shekhar
Solution:Deve Gowda, L.K. Gujral, and Dr. Manmohan Singh were not the members of the Lok Sabha during their Prime Ministership, while Chandra Shekhar was the Prime Minister of India from 1990 to 1991 and also the Member of Parliament from Balia Lok Sabha Constituency.

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'.

17. Which one of the following Prime Ministers of India, never attended the Parliament during his tenure? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 200)]

Correct Answer: (d) Chaudhari Charan Singh
Solution:Chaudhari Charan Singh was the Prime Minister of India from 28 July, 1979 to 14 January, 1980. During his tenure, he never attended the Lok Sabha as Indian National Congress withdrew its support before the sitting of Lok Sabha.

Chaudhary Charan Singh (1902-1987), widely recognized as the Champion of Farmers' Rights, was a distinguished Indian leader dedicated to improving the lives of farmers and rural communities. Born into a middle-class peasant family in Noorpur, Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, he excelled academically, earning degrees in science, law, and post-graduation from Agra University..
Revered as a "Kisan Leader" for his relentless dedication to farmers' welfare.
His birth anniversary, celebrated as Kisan Diwas, honors his lasting contributions to Indian agriculture and rural development.
Remembered as a gifted parliamentarian, a hard taskmaster, and a visionary leader committed to justice and equality for rural India.

18. Who among the following have been the Union Finance Ministers of India? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007]

1. V. P. Singh

2. R. Venkataraman .

3. Y. B. Chavan

4. Pranab Mukherjee

Select the correct answer by using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4
Solution:All the persons mentioned in the above options have been the Union Finance Ministers of India.
List-IList-II
V.P. Singh(1984-87)
R. Venkataraman(1980-82)
Y.B. Chavan(1971-75)
Pranab Mukherjee(2009-2012).

19. The Policy of Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation was announced as New Economic Policy by Prime Minister- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) P.V. Narsimha Rao
Solution:The policy of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation was announced as New Economic Policy by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao on 24 July, 1991.
  • Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, overseeing a period of substantial economic reforms and policy changes.
  • Born into a farmer's family in Lanepalli, located in Telangana's Warangal District, Narasimha Rao emerged as a prominent leader from humble
  • Narasimha Rao spearheaded initiatives for the development of rural areas, focusing on various sectors such as clean water, women and children's welfare, primary healthcare, education, artisan empowerment, animal husbandry, and small industries.
  • Under his leadership, the allocation for rural development schemes surged to Rs. 30,000 crores in the 8th Five Year Plan, a substantial increase from Rs. 7,000 crores in the previous plan.
  • Narasimha Rao's economic reforms led to a significant increase in foreign exchange reserves, which rose 15-fold by 1996, reaching Rs. 3,000 crores from its 1991 level. His policies contributed to a steady GDP growth rate, averaging around 7-7.5 percent during his tenure.

20. Which of the following statements is not true for Dr. Manmohan Singh? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (c) Former Chairman of Finance Commission
Solution:Dr. Manmohan Singh has served in all the above posts except as a Chairman of the Finance Commission.
  • Manmohan Singh, the 14th Prime Minister of India, served two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014.
  • Renowned for his integrity, humility, and sharp intellect, Manmohan Singh holds a special place in India's political and economic history.
  • Before becoming Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic policies, especially during his tenure as the Finance Minister in the early 1990s.