40. What is the minimum size of a state Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister?
[UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services, 2020, GS I]
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 13
(D) 14
Answer: (B) 12
Explanation: Article 164(1A) establishes a minimum of twelve ministers in a state, including the Chief Minister. It also imposes a maximum of fifteen percent of the Assembly’s membership, with constitutional rules governing how these limits operate.
39. Which former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister never served as Leader of the Opposition?
Consider:
1. Digvijaya Singh;
2. Motilal Vora;
3. Virendra Kumar Sakhlecha;
4. Shyama Charan Shukla.
[MPPSC State Service Prelims, 2020]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 4 only
(D) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The reported examination answer is Digvijaya Singh and Motilal Vora. This is a question about the political careers of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Ministers, rather than the constitutional office itself. The Leader of the Opposition is distinct from the Chief Minister.
38. Who succeeded Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of Goa?
[BPSC 65th Combined Competitive Preliminary Examination, 2019]
(A) Sudin Dhavalikar
(B) Nilesh Cabral
(C) Pramod Sawant
(D) Rohan Khaunte
Answer: (C) Pramod Sawant
Explanation: Pramod Sawant was sworn in as Goa Chief Minister in March 2019 after Manohar Parrikar died. The Governor appointed Sawant during the existing Assembly’s term. This succession demonstrates that a change of Chief Minister does not necessarily require a fresh election.
37. Under Article 167, furnishing information to the Governor is a Chief Minister’s _____?
[RPSC Second Grade Teacher, 3 July 2019]
(A) Obligation only by convention
(B) Constitutional duty
(C) Special privilege
(D) Optional right
Answer: (B) Constitutional duty
Explanation: Article 167 explicitly requires the Chief Minister to provide the Governor with information about administration and proposed legislation when requested. This is a constitutional duty, not a voluntary courtesy. It helps maintain formal communication within the state executive.
36. Prem Singh Tamang became Chief Minister of which state in 2019?
[SSC CHSL, 1 July 2019, Shift 3]
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Odisha
(C) Assam
(D) Sikkim
Answer: (D) Sikkim
Explanation: Prem Singh Tamang took office in Sikkim in May 2019. He is also known as P. S. Golay. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor following the election result and the formation of a government commanding legislative support.
35. Who appoints the Chief Minister in an Indian state?
[BARC Upper Division Clerk, 10 March 2019]
(A) Governor
(B) President
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) Chief Justice of the High Court
Answer: (A) Governor
Explanation: Article 164(1) makes the Governor the appointing authority. The President appoints Governors under Article 155 but does not directly appoint the ordinary state Chief Minister. The distinction reflects India’s two levels of parliamentary government.
34. Who was the Chief Minister of Goa in September 2018?
[RRC Group D, 12 December 2018, Shift 2]
(A) Biplab Kumar Deb
(B) Naveen Patnaik
(C) Manohar Parrikar
(D) Vilasrao Deshmukh
Answer: (C) Manohar Parrikar
Explanation: Manohar Parrikar was serving as Goa Chief Minister in September 2018, during his final term. He had earlier held Union ministerial office. The question tests the incumbent at a particular date, not the general appointment procedure.
33. Who was Chief Minister of Assam in 2018?
[RRC Group D, 6 December 2018, Shift 2]
(A) Arvind Kejriwal
(B) Biplab Kumar Deb
(C) Nitish Kumar
(D) Sarbananda Sonowal
Answer: (D) Sarbananda Sonowal
Explanation: Sarbananda Sonowal became Assam Chief Minister in 2016 and served until 2021. He led the state government following the BJP-led electoral victory. The Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers and remains politically accountable to the Assembly.
32. Which is NOT a duty of the Chief Minister under Article 167?
[UPSC CDS, 18 November 2018, General Knowledge]
(A) Communicate Council decisions to the Governor
(B) Furnish information requested by the Governor
(C) Send a monthly report of all Council decisions to the President
(D) Place an individual minister’s decision before the Council when required by the Governor
Answer: (C) Send a monthly report of all Council decisions to the President
Explanation: Article 167 obliges the Chief Minister to inform the Governor of Council decisions, furnish requested information and submit certain matters to the Council. It does not require sending all decisions to the President through a monthly report.
31. Which of the following is NOT part of a state legislature?
[UPSC CDS, 18 November 2018, General Knowledge]
(A) Governor
(B) Legislative Assembly
(C) Legislative Council, where one exists
(D) Chief Minister
Answer: (D) Chief Minister
Explanation: Article 168 includes the Governor and one or two Houses in the state legislature. The Chief Minister is part of the executive; even when personally a legislator, the office of Chief Minister is not a separate constituent of the legislature.
