80. Which former Indian Prime Minister is often called the Chanakya of modern India?
[SSC CPO, 15 March 2019 Shift 2]
(A) V. P. Singh
(B) Charan Singh
(C) I. K. Gujral
(D) P. V. Narasimha Rao
Answer: (D) P. V. Narasimha Rao
Explanation: P. V. Narasimha Rao earned the popular comparison because of his political manoeuvring and leadership during major economic change. His term from 1991 to 1996 included far-reaching liberalisation initiatives.
79. Which former Prime Minister and Finance Minister is widely associated with India’s 1991 economic reforms?
[SSC CPO, 16 March 2019 Shift 1]
(A) P. V. Narasimha Rao
(B) Narendra Modi
(C) Manmohan Singh
(D) Yashwant Sinha
Answer: (C) Manmohan Singh
Explanation: Manmohan Singh became Finance Minister under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. Together they advanced reforms that changed industrial licensing, foreign investment and trade policy. Singh later served as Prime Minister.
78. Who chairs the National Commission on Population in India?
[SSC MTS, 7 August 2019 Shift 2]
(A) Union Health Minister
(B) President
(C) Prime Minister
(D) Department Secretary
Answer: (C) Prime Minister
Explanation: The National Commission on Population was established to support implementation of population policy and is chaired by the Prime Minister. It brings senior central officials and representatives together for national coordination.
77. Under which article is the Prime Minister appointed by the President?
[SSC CPO, 12 December 2019 Shift 1]
(A) Article 85
(B) Article 70
(C) Article 79
(D) Article 75
Answer: (D) Article 75
Explanation: Article 75(1) provides for presidential appointment of the Prime Minister and appointment of other Union ministers on the Prime Minister’s advice. Article 74 instead sets out the Council’s advisory function.
76. What is the maximum size of the Union Council of Ministers under Article 75(1A)?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge, 8 September 2019]
(A) 10% of total Parliament membership
(B) 15% of total Parliament membership
(C) 10% of Lok Sabha membership
(D) 15% of Lok Sabha membership
Answer: (D) 15% of Lok Sabha membership
Explanation: The Constitution fixes the ceiling at fifteen percent of Lok Sabha’s total membership, expressly including the Prime Minister. The Ninety-first Amendment introduced this restriction to prevent excessively large ministerial councils.
75. Which memorial of a former Indian Prime Minister features nine black granite blocks arranged on a lotus-shaped platform?
[UPSC NDA General Ability Test, 21 April 2019]
(A) Shakti Sthal
(B) Shantivan
(C) Sadaiv Atal
(D) Veer Bhumi
Answer: (C) Sadaiv Atal
Explanation: Sadaiv Atal is the memorial of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Its design uses nine square black granite blocks and symbolic arrangements. Shakti Sthal commemorates Indira Gandhi and Veer Bhumi commemorates Rajiv Gandhi.
74. Which office is not expressly created by India’s Constitution?
[WBCS Prelims 2018]
(A) Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
(B) Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
(C) Deputy Speaker of state Assembly
(D) Deputy Prime Minister
Answer: (D) Deputy Prime Minister
Explanation: Constitutional provisions establish the parliamentary deputy presiding officers, but no article creates an office of Deputy Prime Minister. The title may be granted politically without automatically giving independent constitutional powers.
73. Which bodies are chaired by the Prime Minister:
(1) NITI Aayog,
(2) National Integration Council,
(3) National Board for Wildlife?
[SSC CHSL, 8 March 2018 Shift 2]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 1 and 2 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The Prime Minister is chairperson of all three bodies. These chairmanships facilitate coordination in planning, national integration and wildlife conservation; they are distinct from formal ministerial duties under Articles 74–78.
72. Who is both leader of the Union Council of Ministers and the principal leader of government business in Parliament?
[SSC CHSL, 21 March 2018 Shift 2]
(A) Home Minister
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Defence Minister
(D) President
Answer: (B) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister heads the executive ministry and usually directs the government’s parliamentary agenda. This leadership follows the requirement that the ministry collectively retain support in the Lok Sabha.
71. To which particular House does Article 75 make the Union ministry collectively answerable?
[SSC CHSL, 22 March 2018 Shift 2]
(A) People generally
(B) Lok Sabha
(C) Rajya Sabha
(D) President
Answer: (B) Lok Sabha
Explanation: Article 75(3) specifies the House of the People, meaning Lok Sabha. Ministers from either House share the responsibility, and defeat on a confidence motion imperils the entire Council.
