State Council of Ministers

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Q100. To which body is the State Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, collectively responsible?

[DSSSB MTS, 2026 (1 August, Shift 2)]

1. State Legislative Council
2. State High Court
3. State Legislative Assembly
4. Governor of the State

Answer: (C) State Legislative Assembly

Explanation: Article 164(2) makes the State Council of Ministers collectively accountable to the elected Legislative Assembly. Even in bicameral states, the Legislative Council cannot bring down the government through a no-confidence vote. Loss of Assembly confidence requires the entire ministry to resign.

Q99. Who administers the oath of office to the Chief Minister of an Indian state?

[DSSSB MTS, 2026 (27 July, Shift 3)]

1. Governor of the concerned state
2. President of India
3. Vice-President of India
4. Chief Justice of the High Court

Answer: (A) Governor of the concerned state

Explanation: Under Article 164(3), the Governor administers the prescribed oaths of office and secrecy before a minister assumes duties. The same constitutional procedure applies to the Chief Minister, who is the head of the State Council of Ministers.

Q98. Who leads the Council of Ministers in a state under the Indian Constitution?

[DSSSB MTS, 2026 (27 July, Shift 3)]

1. Governor
2. Finance Minister
3. Chief Minister
4. Speaker of the Assembly

Answer: (C) Chief Minister

Explanation: Article 163 establishes a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at its head to aid and advise the Governor. The Governor is the formal constitutional head, whereas the Chief Minister coordinates ministerial policy and leads the political executive.

Q97. Which combination correctly identifies the principal political components of the State Executive?

[DSSSB MTS, 2026 (25 July, Shift 2)]

1. Governor, Finance Minister and State Police
2. Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
3. Governor, Speaker and Cabinet Secretary
4. Governor, Supreme Court judges and Cabinet

Answer: (B) Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Explanation: Part VI of the Constitution identifies the Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers as major components of the State Executive. The Advocate-General also forms part of the complete State Executive, although the examination option lists the principal political offices.

Q96. A constitutionally required minister for tribal welfare is provided for in which group of states?
A. Chhattisgarh;
B. Jharkhand;
C. Odisha;
D. Kerala;
E. Karnataka.

[MPSC Group C Mains, 2025 cycle (held 12 July 2026)]

1. A, B and C only
2. A, B and D only
3. C, D and E only
4. A, C and E only

Answer: (A) A, B and C only

Explanation: The proviso to Article 164(1) specifically provides for a minister in charge of tribal welfare in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Kerala and Karnataka are absent from that constitutional list. The question tests the three matching states among those supplied.

Q95. If the Governor appoints ministers at the state level, who formally appoints Union ministers?

[DSSSB Court Attendant, 2026 (18 June, Shift 2)]

1. President of India
2. A committee of Governors
3. Chief Justice of India
4. Prime Minister directly

Answer: (A) President of India

Explanation: The constitutional appointing authority is the President for Union ministers under Article 75, while the Governor appoints state ministers under Article 164. In both cases, other ministers are appointed on the advice of the respective head of government.

Q94. Under Article 164(1A), the total number of state ministers, including the Chief Minister, ordinarily cannot exceed what share of Assembly membership?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2026 (16 June, Shift 2)]

1. No prescribed limit
2. 15 percent
3. 10 percent
4. 20 percent

Answer: (B) 15 percent

Explanation: The Ninety-first Constitutional Amendment placed a ceiling of 15 percent of Legislative Assembly membership on the State Council of Ministers, counting the Chief Minister. A separate constitutional safeguard requires at least twelve ministers in a state, including its Chief Minister.

Q93. Who may invite a leader to form the state government when no party has secured a clear Assembly majority?

[SSC GD, 2026 (28 April, Shift 3)]

1. President
2. Speaker of the Assembly
3. Prime Minister
4. Governor

Answer: (D) Governor

Explanation: The Governor appoints the Chief Minister under Article 164. In a hung Assembly, the Governor must identify the person most likely to secure majority support. Any uncertainty about legislative confidence is ordinarily resolved through a floor test in the Assembly.

Q92. Consider:
1. Article 167 requires the Chief Minister to communicate Council decisions to the Governor.
2. Article 165 provides for ministerial oaths.
3. Article 163 provides for ministerial aid and advice.

Which are correct?

[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026 (22 March, Shift 3)]

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Answer: (D) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 describe Articles 167 and 163 correctly. Statement 2 confuses Article 165, concerning the Advocate-General, with Article 164(3), which provides for oaths. Reading neighbouring constitutional articles carefully is essential for such combined-statement questions.

Q91. Which Article provides for a minister in charge of tribal welfare in specified states?

[DSSSB PRT, 2026 (17 February, Shift 3)]

1. Article 164
2. Article 170
3. Article 168
4. Article 166

Answer: (A) Article 164

Explanation: Article 164 includes a special requirement for a tribal welfare minister in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. The provision allows the same minister to be assigned responsibility for Scheduled Castes, backward classes or additional governmental business.