20. Which assertion is incorrect following the Union ministry’s resignation?
[UPPSC Mains 2010]
(A) President’s Rule must be imposed at the Union level
(B) President may request an interim caretaker ministry
(C) Alternative government arrangements must be explored
(D) Outgoing ministry may continue temporarily
Answer: (A) President’s Rule must be imposed at the Union level
Explanation: President’s Rule under Article 356 concerns state constitutional machinery, not the Union government’s resignation. A caretaker arrangement and possible alternative majority are considered while government continuity is maintained.
19. What is the constitutional nature of the Deputy Prime Minister’s office?
[UPPSC Mains 2009]
(A) Created in original Constitution
(B) Extra-constitutional political designation
(C) Created by 44th Amendment
(D) Created by 85th Amendment
Answer: (B) Extra-constitutional political designation
Explanation: The Constitution creates the office of Prime Minister but not Deputy Prime Minister. The deputy title may be given to a senior minister for political or organisational reasons without automatically bestowing the Prime Minister’s constitutional authority.
18. Statements:
(1) Every Cabinet Minister must be a sitting Lok Sabha member.
(2) Cabinet Secretariat works under Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2009]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: Cabinet ministers may come from Rajya Sabha, and non-members have a six-month grace period. The Cabinet Secretariat is not subordinate to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, making both statements false.
17. Which amendment limited the Union ministry, including the Prime Minister, to 15% of Lok Sabha strength?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2009]
(A) 90th
(B) 91st
(C) 92nd
(D) 93rd
Answer: (B) 91st
Explanation: The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 inserted Article 75(1A), capping the Union Council of Ministers. This ceiling is calculated with reference to Lok Sabha strength, not combined parliamentary membership.
16. How long can a Prime Minister normally remain in office?
[SSC Tax Assistant 2009]
(A) For the full Lok Sabha term regardless of confidence
(B) Until President’s term expires
(C) While commanding Lok Sabha majority support
(D) Exactly five years
Answer: (C) While commanding Lok Sabha majority support
Explanation: The Prime Minister has no constitutionally fixed personal term of five years. Office continues while the ministry retains Lok Sabha confidence; resignation, death or political change can end a tenure earlier.
15. What minimum age is generally cited for eligibility to become Prime Minister through Lok Sabha?
[SSC Matric Level 2008]
(A) 18 years
(B) 21 years
(C) 25 years
(D) 35 years
Answer: (C) 25 years
Explanation: The Constitution does not separately state a minimum age for Prime Minister. A Lok Sabha member must be at least twenty-five; someone entering via Rajya Sabha must be at least thirty.
14. Who normally presides over meetings of the Union Council of Ministers?
[SSC Matric Level 2008]
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Cabinet Secretary
(D) Lok Sabha Speaker
Answer: (A) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister is head of the Council of Ministers and presides over its political deliberations. The President is constitutional head of state and does not chair routine meetings of the ministry.
13. During whose pleasure do Union ministers constitutionally hold office?
[SSC Matric Level 2008]
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Parliament
(D) Supreme Court
Answer: (A) President
Explanation: Article 75(2) says ministers hold office during the President’s pleasure. In practice this operates within parliamentary conventions, and dismissal of individual ministers generally follows the Prime Minister’s recommendation.
12. Which official is not a member of the Union Council of Ministers?
[SSC Tax Assistant 2008]
(A) Cabinet Minister
(B) Minister of State
(C) Cabinet Secretary
(D) Minister without portfolio
Answer: (C) Cabinet Secretary
Explanation: The Cabinet Secretary is a senior civil servant and not a political minister. Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and ministers without portfolio belong to the political executive when duly appointed.
11. Assertion: Union Council of Ministers is responsible to both Houses. Reason: Ministers may belong to either House. Which is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2007]
(A) Both true, reason explains
(B) Both true, reason does not explain
(C) Assertion true, reason false
(D) Assertion false, reason true
Answer: (D) Assertion false, reason true
Explanation: Ministers can be selected from Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, so the reason is true. Collective responsibility is specifically owed to Lok Sabha under Article 75(3), making the assertion incorrect.
