The Council of Ministers (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.

(a) Only 1 is correct
(b) Both 1 and 2 are correct.
(c) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct.
(d) Only 2 is correct

Correct Answer: (a) Only 1 is correct

Solution:According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Minister shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People.

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]

(a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are individually true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

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.

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?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these

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]

(a) The Finance Minister is to be a Member of the Lower House.
(b) The Prime Minister has to resign if he loses the majority in the Lower House.
(c) All the parts of India are to be represented in the Council of Ministers.
(d) In the event of both the President and the Vice- President demitting office simultaneously before the end of the tenure, the Speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament will officiate as the President.

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).

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

(a) Judiciary
(b) Legislature
(c) Election Commission
(d) Union Public Service Commission

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.

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]

(a) No-Confidence Motion
(b) Censure Motion
(c) Adjournment Motion
(d) Confidence Motion

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).

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]

(a) Lok Sabha
(b) Rajya Sabha
(c) Both the Houses separately
(d) Both the Houses in Joint sitting

Correct Answer: (a) Lok Sabha

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

(a) Prime Minister
(b) Speaker
(c) President
(d) Supreme Court

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.

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]

(a) 30th
(b) 40th
(c) 50th
(d) 60th

Correct Answer: (c) 50th

Solution:A minimum of 50 members are required to table a 'No Confidence Motion' against the Council of Ministers.

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]

(a) 20th
(c) 40th
(b) 30th
(d) 50th

Correct Answer: (d) 50th