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Indian Polity MCQs – 13 (Prime Minister and council of ministers)

Prime Minister and council of ministers MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC and other State PSC Examinations

1. Which one of the following articles deals with the appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers?

(a) Article 76

(b) Article 74

(c) Article 75

(d) Article 72

Correct Answer: (c) Article 75

  • Article 75 says that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president.
  • In accordance with the conventions of the parliamentary system of government, the President appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.

2. The Prime Minister is appointed by which one of the following ?

(a) Attorney general of India

(b) President

(c) Vice-president

(d) Chief justice of India

Correct Answer: (b) President

  • Article 75 says that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president.
  • In accordance with the conventions of the parliamentary system of government, the President appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.

3. In India, the Prime Minister remains in office so long as he enjoys the

(a) Confidence of armed forces

(b) Confidence of Rajya Sabha

(c) Confidence of Lok Sabha

(d) Support of the people

Correct Answer: (c) Confidence of Lok Sabha

  • The term of the Prime Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the president. 
  • As long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support in the Lok Sabha, he cannot be removed by the President. However, if he loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign or the President can dismiss him.

4. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by : 

(a) Home minister

(b) Prime minister

(c) Attorney general

(d) Speaker of Lok Sabha

Correct Answer: (b) Prime minister

  • The Prime minister recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the president. 
  • The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.
  • The Prime minister can also ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion.

5. Who among the following shall communicate to the president all the decisions of the council of ministers under article 78 ?

(a) Home minister

(b) Prime minister

(c) Attorney general

(d) Vice-President

Correct Answer: (b) Prime minister

  • Prime minister is the principal channel of communication between the President and the council of ministers.
  • It is the responsibility of the prime minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.

6. The president appoints Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the advice of : 

(a) Home minister

(b) Prime minister

(c) Attorney general

(d) Vice-President

Correct Answer: (b) Prime minister

  • Prime minister advises the president with regard to the appointment of important officials of the union like:
    • Attorney general of India
    • Comptroller and Auditor General of India
    • Chairman and members of the UPSC
    • Election commissioners, 
    • Chairman and members of the finance commission and so on.

7. The total number of ministers including the prime ministers should not exceed : 

(a) 20% members of the Lok sabha

(b) 10% members of the Lok sabha

(c) 25% members of the Lok sabha

(d) 15% members of the Lok sabha

Correct Answer: (d) 15% members of the Lok Sabha

  • The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister should not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
  • This provision was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.

8. The council of ministers are collectively responsible to which among the following ?

(a) Attorney general of India

(b) President

(c) Lok Sabha

(d) Rajya Sabha

Correct Answer: (c) Lok Sabha

  • As per Article 75 of the constitution, The council of ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  • They work as a team and swim or sink together.
  • When a no-confidence motion is successfully passed in the Lok Sabha the whole council of ministers including those ministers who are from the Rajya Sabha need to resign.

9. A person can remain a minister without being a member of the Parliament (either house) for a maximum period of ?

(a) 6 months

(b) 3 months

(c) 12 months

(d) 1 month

Correct Answer: (a) 6 months

  • A minister who is not a member of the Parliament (either house) for any period of six consecutive months shall cease to be a minister.
  • A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can also be appointed as a minister. But, within six months, he must become a member (either by election or by nomination) of either House of Parliament, otherwise, he ceases to be a minister.
  • A minister who is a member of one House of Parliament can speak and take part in the proceedings of the other House also, but he can vote only in the house of which he is a member.

10. In the union council of ministers, which among the following is not a category of ministers ?

(a) Cabinet Ministers

(b) Ministers of State

(c) Deputy Ministers

(d) Independent Minister

Correct Answer: (d) Independent Minister

  • The union council of ministers consists of the following three categories of ministers:
    1. Cabinet ministers – Head important ministries of the Central government
    2. Ministers of state – Either be given independent charge of ministries/ departments or can be attached to cabinet ministers.
    3. Deputy Ministers – Attached to the cabinet ministers or ministers of state and assist them in their work.
  • The Prime Minister heads all the ministers.

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