50. A Union minister who is not an MP must become a member of either parliamentary House within which period?
[UPPSC Mains 2015]
(A) One year
(B) Six months
(C) Three months
(D) One month
Answer: (B) Six months
Explanation: Article 75(5) creates a six-month limit for a minister who is not initially a member of either House. The requirement includes the Prime Minister and prevents indefinite tenure without parliamentary membership.
49. Which of these Prime Ministers was a Lok Sabha member while holding that office?
[UPPSC Prelims 2015]
(A) H. D. Deve Gowda
(B) I. K. Gujral
(C) Chandra Shekhar
(D) Manmohan Singh
Answer: (C) Chandra Shekhar
Explanation: Chandra Shekhar represented Ballia in Lok Sabha during his term as Prime Minister. The other leaders listed in the question served from Rajya Sabha or were not Lok Sabha members while in office.
48. Statements:
(1) Union executive power is constitutionally vested in the Prime Minister.
(2) The Prime Minister chairs the Civil Services Board ex officio.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2015]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: Article 53 formally vests Union executive power in the President, not the Prime Minister. The Cabinet Secretary, rather than the Prime Minister, heads the Civil Services Board. Both assertions are therefore incorrect.
47. How many members’ support is required for admission of a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha?
[UP Lower Subordinate Services Prelims 2015]
(A) 30
(B) 40
(C) 50
(D) 60
Answer: (C) 50
Explanation: Under Lok Sabha Rule 198, at least fifty members must support leave for a no-confidence motion. This procedural support is not the majority needed subsequently to pass the motion itself.
46. Who was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister?
[SSC CHSL 2015]
(A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(B) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
(C) Jawaharlal Nehru
(D) Gulzarilal Nanda
Answer: (A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the first government of independent India. The deputy-premiership is a political designation and not an office separately established by the Constitution.
45. Statements:
(1) The President makes rules for government business and ministerial allocation.
(2) Union executive action is expressed in the Prime Minister’s name.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2014]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Article 77(3) authorises rules for conducting Union government business and allocating work. Under Article 77(1), executive action is formally expressed in the name of the President, making the second statement false.
44. Statements:
(1) No-confidence motion is not expressly named in the Constitution.
(2) It can be moved only in Lok Sabha.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2014]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (C) Both
Explanation: The Constitution establishes collective responsibility but does not explicitly use the phrase no-confidence motion. Lok Sabha’s rules prescribe its procedure; Rajya Sabha cannot bring down the Council of Ministers through such a motion.
43. Match Prime Ministers to periods: Deve Gowda, Chandra Shekhar, Vajpayee, Gujral and V. P. Singh.
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims 2014]
(A) 1999–2004, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1996–97, 1997–98
(B) 1997–98, 1996–97, 1990–91, 1989–90, 1999–2004
(C) 1990–91, 1999–2004, 1989–90, 1997–98, 1996–97
(D) 1996–97, 1990–91, 1999–2004, 1997–98, 1989–90
Answer: (D) 1996–97, 1990–91, 1999–2004, 1997–98, 1989–90
Explanation: Deve Gowda governed in 1996–97, Chandra Shekhar in 1990–91, Vajpayee’s last ministry in 1999–2004, Gujral in 1997–98 and V. P. Singh in 1989–90. Matching chronologies tests political succession.
42. Article 78 of India’s Constitution specifies the duties of which office?
[UPPSC Revenue Inspector 2014]
(A) Lok Sabha Speaker
(B) Rajya Sabha Chairman
(C) Comptroller and Auditor General
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (D) Prime Minister
Explanation: Article 78 obliges the Prime Minister to communicate Council decisions and proposed legislation to the President and furnish requested information. It also provides for referring certain individual ministerial decisions to the Council.
41. What is the principal feature of Cabinet government?
[SSC CGL 2014]
(A) Individual ministerial responsibility alone
(B) Collective ministerial responsibility
(C) Absence of responsibility
(D) Governmental irresponsibility
Answer: (B) Collective ministerial responsibility
Explanation: Collective responsibility requires ministers to support Cabinet decisions and answer together to Lok Sabha. Disagreement may lead an individual minister to resign, but the constitutional accountability of the entire Council remains joint.
