The Council of Ministers (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?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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]

(a) Parliament
(b) Prime Minister
(c) President
(d) Bureaucracy

Correct Answer: (b) Prime Minister

Solution:In the Parliamentary form of Government, the real executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, and the provision regarding this is mentioned in Article 75 of the Indian Constitution.

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?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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]

(a) He will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion
(b) He will not be able to speak on the budget in the Lower House
(c) He can make statements only in the Upper House
(d) He will have to become a member of the Lower House within six months after being sworn in as the Prime Minister

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]

(a) Article 70
(c) Article 74
(b) Article 72
(d) Article 75

Correct Answer: (d) Article 75

Solution:Article 75(1) states 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) states that the Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President.

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

(a) Not a member of Parliament
(b) Member of Lok Sabha
(c) Member of Rajya Sabha
(d) Member of both the Houses

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.

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

(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.
(b) Need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months.
(c) Must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament.
(d) Must be a member of the Lok Sabha.

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.

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

(a) 21 years
(b) 25 years
(c) 30 years
(d) 35 years

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.

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

(a) Elected by the Lok Sabha
(b) Elected by the Parliament
(c) Appointed by the President
(d) Nominated by the Party in Majority of Lok Sabha.

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.

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