State Council of Ministers

127

Q10. Which amendment restricted the size of Rajasthan’s Council of Ministers?

[RPSC Senior Teacher, 2017 (26 April)]

1. Eighty-ninth Amendment
2. Ninety-fifth Amendment
3. Ninety-first Amendment
4. Seventy-fifth Amendment

Answer: (C) Ninety-first Amendment

Explanation: The Ninety-first Amendment introduced the limit on state ministries in Article 164(1A). Because the formula refers to total Assembly strength, the same constitutional principle applies to Rajasthan and other states rather than only at the Union level.

Q9. Which state is covered by the mandatory tribal-welfare minister proviso in Article 164?

[Gujarat Engineering Services, 2017]

1. Bihar
2. Karnataka
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (C) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Article 164 specifically requires a tribal-welfare minister in Madhya Pradesh, alongside Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha. The listed alternatives are not covered by the current wording. The named minister may additionally handle other welfare portfolios.

Q8. During President’s Rule, which consequences are NOT necessarily automatic?
1. Dissolution of Assembly;
2. Removal of Council of Ministers;
3. Dissolution of local bodies.

[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2017]

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Under Article 356, President’s Rule need not dissolve the Legislative Assembly, which may remain suspended. Local bodies also are not necessarily dissolved. The elected Council of Ministers is removed or ceases to exercise executive authority when state administration is taken over.

Q7. To whom is the State Council of Ministers collectively accountable?

[Rajasthan Gram Sevak, 2016 (18 December)]

1. State Legislative Assembly
2. Indian Parliament
3. Governor
4. President

Answer: (A) State Legislative Assembly

Explanation: The state ministry depends upon the Legislative Assembly’s confidence under Article 164(2). Neither the President nor Parliament acts as the state ministry’s ordinary confidence chamber. The Governor is its formal appointing authority, not the institution of collective legislative accountability.

Q6. Which Article lays down the Chief Minister’s constitutional duty to keep the Governor informed?

[NBE Junior Assistant, 2015]

1. Article 163
2. Article 166
3. Article 167
4. Article 164

Answer: (C) Article 167

Explanation: Article 167 details the Chief Minister’s duties of furnishing information, communicating decisions and ensuring appropriate Council discussion when requested. It completes the constitutional framework created by Articles 163 and 164 governing the state ministry.

Q5. Which are discretionary functions of a Governor?
1. Reporting on conditions for President’s Rule;
2. Appointing all ministers routinely;
3. Reserving a bill for the President;
4. Framing rules of business.

[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2014 (24 August)]

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: A Governor may exercise discretion in reporting constitutional failure and reserving certain bills for the President. Routine ministerial appointments and government business rules operate within the established constitutional framework, generally involving the Chief Minister and ministerial advice.

Q4. Which duties belong to the Chief Minister under Article 167?
A. Report Council decisions to Governor;
B. Report legislative proposals;
C. Participate in National Development Council;
D. Place a minister’s decision before Council if Governor asks.

[RPSC RAS Preliminary, 2013]

1. A and B only
2. A and D only
3. A, B and C only
4. A, B and D only

Answer: (D) A, B and D only

Explanation: Article 167 includes communicating Council decisions and legislative proposals to the Governor, as well as placing individual ministerial decisions before Council when requested. Participation in the National Development Council is not one of the duties listed in that Article.

Q3. Which Article provides for collective responsibility of state ministers to the Legislative Assembly?

[RSMSSB Physical Training Instructor, 2013]

1. Article 164
2. Article 154(2)
3. Article 161(2)
4. Article 151(1)

Answer: (A) Article 164

Explanation: Article 164(2) establishes collective responsibility. The proper confidence chamber is specifically the Legislative Assembly, not the entire bicameral state legislature. The provision preserves the electoral link between the ministry and the popularly elected House.

Q2. By whom is the Chief Minister of a state appointed?

[TNUSRB Sub-Inspector, 2010 (4 July)]

1. Prime Minister
2. Governor
3. President
4. Speaker

Answer: (B) Governor

Explanation: The Governor formally appoints the Chief Minister as provided in Article 164(1). In the parliamentary system, however, the appointee must maintain the Legislative Assembly’s support. The Speaker conducts legislative proceedings and does not exercise this executive appointment function.

Q1. Who is the constitutional executive head of the State Government?

[45th BPSC Preliminary, 2002]

1. Chief Minister
2. Governor
3. Secretary to the Chief Minister
4. Chief Secretary

Answer: (B) Governor

Explanation: Article 154 formally vests executive authority in the Governor, making that office the constitutional or nominal executive head. The Chief Minister, supported by a Council of Ministers, functions as the real political executive under parliamentary conventions.