State Council of Ministers

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Q90. Which constitutional Article deals with the Governor’s discretionary functions in the context of ministerial advice?

[SSC JE Mechanical, 2025 (4 December, Shift 2)]

1. Article 155
2. Article 161
3. Article 168
4. Article 163

Answer: (D) Article 163

Explanation: Article 163 sets out the general rule that the Governor acts on the aid and advice of a Council headed by the Chief Minister, subject to constitutional discretionary functions. That exception is limited and does not create unrestricted personal executive power.

Q89. What is the maximum constitutionally permitted size of a State Council of Ministers, counting the Chief Minister?

[OSSSC CRE Preliminary, 2025 (12 November, Shift 1)]

1. 15 percent of Assembly strength
2. There is no ceiling
3. 25 percent of Assembly strength
4. Exactly fifteen ministers

Answer: (A) 15 percent of Assembly strength

Explanation: Article 164(1A), introduced by the Ninety-first Amendment, caps the ministry at fifteen percent of Assembly strength. Fifteen percent is a proportional ceiling, not a flat count of fifteen people. The Constitution also stipulates a floor of twelve ministers.

Q88. Who administers the oath to a state Chief Minister?

[MP Police Constable, 2025 (30 October)]

1. President of India
2. Governor of the state
3. Speaker of the Assembly
4. Chief Justice of the High Court

Answer: (B) Governor of the state

Explanation: The Governor swears in the Chief Minister under Article 164(3). Both the oath of office and the oath of secrecy are prescribed in the Third Schedule. The President performs a comparable function for Union ministers, not state ministers.

Q87. Which Article specifies the Chief Minister’s duty to furnish the Governor information about state administration?

[OSSSC CRE Preliminary, 2025 (8 October, Shift 1)]

1. Article 187
2. Article 195
3. Article 155
4. Article 167

Answer: (D) Article 167

Explanation: Article 167 obliges the Chief Minister to inform the Governor about decisions concerning administration and proposed legislation, and to supply requested information. It is a constitutional communication duty designed to keep the nominal head informed about executive governance.

Q86. Under the Constitution, a minister in a state holds office during whose pleasure?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (3 September, Shift 2)]

1. For a fixed five-year term
2. Governor’s pleasure
3. Confidence of the Legislative Council
4. President’s pleasure

Answer: (B) Governor’s pleasure

Explanation: Article 164(1) uses the expression pleasure of the Governor for state ministers. In parliamentary practice, this power operates within the framework of the Chief Minister’s advice and Assembly confidence rather than unrestricted discretionary dismissal of a majority-supported ministry.

Q85. Who is the formal constitutional authority involved in ending a State Council of Ministers?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (2 September, Shift 1)]

1. Prime Minister
2. President
3. High Court
4. Governor

Answer: (D) Governor

Explanation: Ministers formally hold office during the Governor’s pleasure under Article 164. However, a State Council of Ministers is politically accountable to the Legislative Assembly, and the Governor ordinarily acts according to parliamentary conventions and established majority support.

Q84. Which group forms the central political part of a State Executive?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (1 September, Shift 3)]

1. Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
2. President, Governor and Chief Minister
3. Governor, Deputy Governor and advisers
4. Governor, Chief Minister and Assembly

Answer: (A) Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

Explanation: The Governor is the formal state executive, assisted by the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers. The Advocate-General is also included in a complete account of the State Executive. A Legislative Assembly is part of the legislature, not the executive.

Q83. What is the maximum size of a State Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (22 August, Shift 2)]

1. 20 percent of Assembly strength
2. No specified limit
3. 15 percent of Assembly strength
4. 10 percent of Assembly strength

Answer: (C) 15 percent of Assembly strength

Explanation: The maximum number of state ministers is fifteen percent of the Legislative Assembly’s total membership under Article 164(1A). Counting includes the Chief Minister. The separate twelve-minister minimum prevents very small state legislatures from having unduly tiny ministries.

Q82. Which statement about the Council of Ministers is correct?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (21 August, Shift 1)]

1. Ministers of State outrank Cabinet Ministers
2. Cabinet Ministers form a smaller group inside the Council
3. The Chief Justice appoints the Council of Ministers
4. All Council members belong to the Cabinet

Answer: (B) Cabinet Ministers form a smaller group inside the Council

Explanation: The Council of Ministers is the wider body, while the Cabinet is a smaller group of senior ministers who normally make central policy decisions. Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, where appointed, belong to the wider council rather than automatically to the Cabinet.

Q81. Who is regarded as the real executive head of an Indian state?

[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2025 (20 August, Shift 2)]

1. Governor
2. Chief Minister
3. Speaker
4. Advocate-General

Answer: (B) Chief Minister

Explanation: The Chief Minister heads the popularly accountable Council of Ministers and directs policy. The Governor is the nominal executive head in whose name action is taken. This difference reflects the parliamentary separation between formal authority and effective political leadership.