UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 12: The Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers and the Ministries (26 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 12: The Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers and the Ministries (26 MCQs) – 25 questions, subject: Polity. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:

Correct Answer: A [the President]

Explanation:

Article 75(1).

2.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
2. The limit was introduced by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003.
3. A member disqualified for defection can be appointed a minister if the Prime Minister so advises.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Article 75(1A); 75(1B) bars defectors.

3.  

Ministers hold office during the pleasure of:

Correct Answer: A [the President]

Explanation:

Article 75(2).

4.  

The word "Cabinet" appears in the Constitution of India in:

Correct Answer: C [Article 352]

Explanation:

inserted by the 44th Amendment.

5.  

Consider the following about the Prime Minister:

1. The PM may be a member of the Rajya Sabha.
2. A non-member can be appointed PM for six months.
3. The PM's resignation dissolves the Council of Ministers.
4. The PM is ex officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: D [All four]

Explanation:

each is supported by Section 12.1.

6.  

In which case did the Supreme Court uphold the appointment of a person who was not a member of Parliament as Prime Minister?

Correct Answer: D [S.P. Anand v. H.D. Deve Gowda]

Explanation:

1996.

7.  

In U.N.R. Rao v. Indira Gandhi (1971), the Supreme Court held that:

Correct Answer: A [the Council of Ministers does not cease to exist on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha]

Explanation:

the President always needs the Council's aid and advice.

8.  

Consider the following statements about ministers:

1. A minister can speak in both Houses of Parliament.
2. A minister can vote in both Houses of Parliament.
3. A minister takes the oath of office before the President.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Articles 88 and 75(4).

9.  

Assertion (A): A no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha.

Reason (R): The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

responsibility to the Lok Sabha explains the motion.

10.  

Match List I (Office) with List II (Function):

List I: A. Cabinet Secretariat B. Ministry of Finance C. PMO D. Cabinet Committee on Security

List II: 1. Allocates financial resources 2. Prepares the agenda of Cabinet meetings 3. Assists the PM as head of government 4. Decisions on defence and national security

Correct Answer: D [A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4]

Explanation:

as in Section 12.4.

11.  

The rules for the allocation of business of the Government of India are made by:

Correct Answer: C [the President under Article 77(3)]

Explanation:

Article 77(3).

12.  

Which one of the following is NOT a device of parliamentary control over the Council of Ministers?

Correct Answer: C [Judicial review]

Explanation:

judicial review is exercised by courts, not Parliament.

13.  

A no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha requires the support of at least:

Correct Answer: B [50 members]

Explanation:

50 members.

14.  

Consider the following statements about the Cabinet:

1. It consists of Cabinet Ministers only.
2. It meets as a body more often than the Council of Ministers.
3. It was a constitutional body from 1950.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

the word was inserted only in 1978.

15.  

The Ministry of Cooperation was created in:

Correct Answer: C [2021]

Explanation:

July 2021.

16.  

After a general election no party has a majority. Party X, the largest, claims support but cannot show a majority. What is the constitutional position?

Correct Answer: D [The President uses personal judgment and may ask the person appointed to prove the majority on the floor]

Explanation:

situational discretion; floor test.

17.  

Arrange the following events in chronological order:

1. First non-Congress government at the Centre
2. Government defeated by one vote
3. 91st Amendment caps the size of the Council
4. V.P. Singh's government loses a confidence motion

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: A [1-4-2-3]

Explanation:

1977, 1990, 1999, 2003.

18.  

Which body provides secretarial assistance to Cabinet committees?

Correct Answer: C [The Cabinet Secretariat]

Explanation:

Prelims 2014.

19.  

In Britain the acts of the Crown must be countersigned by a minister. In India, this means that:

Correct Answer: D [there is no legal responsibility of ministers, because countersignature is not required]

Explanation:

no legal responsibility in India.

20.  
UPSC Prelims 2012

The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment:

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]

Explanation:

either House, within six months.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Consider the following statements:

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 only]

Explanation:

Articles 75(2) and 78; responsibility is to the Lok Sabha.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: C [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

funds are allocated by the Ministry of Finance.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:

Correct Answer: C [A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.]

Explanation:

collective responsibility.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through

1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

all three.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

Consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 only]

Explanation:

Article 75(1A).

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U11 · Indian Polity (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-polity

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