40. Which thinker described the Prime Minister as first among equals?
[SSC CGL 2014]
(A) Morley
(B) Harcourt
(C) Laski
(D) Lowell
Answer: (A) Morley
Explanation: The phrase first among equals conveys that a Prime Minister presides over colleagues within a collectively responsible Cabinet. In practice political leadership can be stronger, but the phrase emphasises collective rather than purely personal rule.
39. Who compared the Cabinet to the steering wheel of the ship of state?
[SSC CGL 2014]
(A) Lowell
(B) Ramsay Muir
(C) Marriott
(D) Bagehot
Answer: (B) Ramsay Muir
Explanation: The analogy attributed to Ramsay Muir emphasises the Cabinet’s central role in steering government policy. In India’s parliamentary structure, the Prime Minister chairs that collective decision-making body.
38. Which is the correct description of India’s Prime Minister?
[UPPSC Mains 2013]
(A) Nominal head of Council
(B) Not responsible to Parliament
(C) Powerless to remove ministers
(D) Real head of Council of Ministers
Answer: (D) Real head of Council of Ministers
Explanation: The Prime Minister heads the political executive and coordinates the ministerial team. The President is constitutional head of state, while the ministry remains collectively answerable to the elected Lok Sabha.
37. The Prime Minister of India is formally selected by which method?
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims 2013]
(A) Direct election
(B) Administrative selection
(C) Nomination alone
(D) Appointment by President
Answer: (D) Appointment by President
Explanation: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President under Article 75(1). Political majority support determines whom the President can appropriately invite to form the government; there is no distinct popular election to this office.
36. Statements:
(1) Union Council is responsible to Parliament collectively.
(2) Ministers hold office during the President’s pleasure.
(3) Prime Minister communicates legislative proposals to the President.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2013]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Collective responsibility is specifically to Lok Sabha, making statement one imprecise. Article 75 provides for the President’s pleasure, while Article 78 requires the Prime Minister to communicate legislative proposals and executive decisions.
35. Which functions belong to the Cabinet Secretariat:
(1) Cabinet meeting agendas,
(2) support to Cabinet committees,
(3) allocation of ministry funds?
[Chhattisgarh PCS Prelims 2013]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 2 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The Cabinet Secretariat arranges Cabinet business and assists Cabinet committees. Allocating financial resources to ministries is not its defining responsibility; fiscal allocation follows separate budgetary and administrative processes.
34. Which Prime Minister headed the government during India’s 1991 liberalisation programme?
[UP Lower Subordinate Prelims 2013]
(A) Rajiv Gandhi
(B) V. P. Singh
(C) P. V. Narasimha Rao
(D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: (C) P. V. Narasimha Rao
Explanation: P. V. Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister in June 1991 and oversaw liberalisation, privatisation and greater global integration. Finance Minister Manmohan Singh introduced the reform budget and related policy measures.
33. At least how many Lok Sabha members must support allowing a no-confidence motion to be considered?
[UPPSC Mains 2013]
(A) 30
(B) 40
(C) 50
(D) 60
Answer: (C) 50
Explanation: Lok Sabha Rule 198 requires support from fifty members before the House grants leave to bring a no-confidence motion. A successful motion subsequently demonstrates loss of the ministry’s majority support.
32. Must a newly appointed Prime Minister already belong to Parliament?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2012]
(A) No, but must join either House within six months
(B) No, but must join Lok Sabha within six months
(C) Yes, either House already
(D) Yes, Lok Sabha already
Answer: (A) No, but must join either House within six months
Explanation: A Prime Minister may take office before becoming a member of Parliament but must enter either House within six months under Article 75(5). Membership need not be in Lok Sabha specifically.
31. Collective responsibility of the Union Council of Ministers is:
(1) to Lok Sabha,
(2) constitutionally obligatory,
(3) based on Article 75(3),
(4) based on Article 74(3).
Which are valid?
[UPPSC Mains 2012]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) All four
Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Article 75(3) expressly requires the Council to answer collectively to Lok Sabha. There is no Article 74(3) forming a basis for this responsibility. Hence only the first three assertions are valid.
