UPSC CSE Prelims
Council of Ministers Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Council of Ministers with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Consider the following statements:
- The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
- The total number of ministers in the Union Government/including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
This question tests knowledge about the classification of ministers and the constitutional limits on the size of the Council of Ministers.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Constitution of India does not classify ministers into four ranks. The classification into Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister is based on parliamentary convention and practice, not constitutional provisions. The Constitution only mentions 'Ministers' and 'Prime Minister' without prescribing specific ranks.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 inserted Article 75(1A) which states that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
📝 Short Notes: Council of Ministers
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Basis | Articles 74 and 75 deal with the Council of Ministers |
| Classification (Convention) | Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State with Independent Charge, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers (not constitutional) |
| Size Limit | Not more than 15% of Lok Sabha strength (91st Amendment, 2003) |
| Collective Responsibility | Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)) |
| Appointment | Ministers appointed by President on advice of Prime Minister (Article 75(1)) |
| Disqualification | A disqualified MP cannot be appointed as minister (91st Amendment) |
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
- N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.
- In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 Only
This question tests knowledge about administrative reform recommendations and the establishment of the Department of Personnel. Statement 1 incorrectly attributes a recommendation to the N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee that was actually made by the first Administrative Reforms Commission, while Statement 2 correctly describes the establishment of the Department of Personnel in 1970 under the Prime Minister's charge.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The recommendation to designate a minister and secretary solely for administrative reform was made by the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966), not the N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee (1949), which focused on reorganization of Central Government machinery and establishment of the O&M Division.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Department of Personnel was indeed established in 1970 based on the recommendations of the first Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) and was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat, which functions under the Prime Minister's direct charge; it was later reorganized into the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in 1985.
📝 Short Notes: Administrative Reforms and Department of Personnel
| Committee/Commission | Year | Key Recommendations/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee | 1949 | Reorganization of Central Government machinery; Grouping of ministries; Establishment of Organisation and Methods (O&M) Division |
| First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) | 1966 | Designation of minister and secretary for administrative reforms; Establishment of Department of Personnel (implemented in 1970) |
| Department of Personnel | 1970 | Established under Cabinet Secretariat; Under Prime Minister's charge |
| Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions | 1985 | Reorganized from Department of Personnel; Continues under Prime Minister's charge |
Consider the following statements:
- The Council of Ministers at the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
- The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
- The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
Which of the Statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Article 75(3) states the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha only, not to the entire Parliament (which includes Rajya Sabha).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 75(2) provides that Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, though they are collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Article 78(a) mandates the Prime Minister shall communicate all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration and proposals for legislation to the President.
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In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
- Members of the Cabinet are Members of Parliament.
- Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
- Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Article 75(5) mandates that a Minister must be a member of Parliament within 6 months of appointment, establishing the institutional link between legislature and executive in parliamentary government.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Collective responsibility under Article 75(3) ensures the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha; Ministers hold office only till they enjoy confidence of Parliament, resignable on no-confidence motion.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister (head of government), not the President (head of state); the President exercises powers on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers under Article 74.
The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment:
Detailed Explanation:
Article 75(5) of the Constitution states that a minister who is not a member of either House of Parliament for six consecutive months ceases to be a minister at the expiration of that period.
Since the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers, this provision applies—meaning the PM need not be a member at appointment but must become a member of either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha within six months, failing which he/she ceases to hold office.
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