The Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and the Cabinet

The Ministers are individually responsible to

1. the Prime Minister
2. the President
3. the people
4. the Parliament

Answer

the President

Reason — The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. They may be dismissed by him on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The meetings of the Council of Ministers are presided over by

1. the President
2. the Vice President
3. the Prime Minister
4. the seniormost member of Parliament

Answer

the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is

1. appointed by the President
2. appointed by President on the recommendation of the Speaker
3. elected by the Lok Sabha
4. elected by the Upper House

Answer

appointed by the President

The office of the Prime Minister of India

1. has a Constitutional basis
2. has a statutory basis
3. has conventional basis
4. none of these

Answer

has a Constitutional basis

The Prime Minister is

1. the head of the state
2. head of the government
3. head of the state as well government
4. none of the above

Answer

head of the government

Generally the Prime Minister is

1. a member of Rajya Sabha
2. a member of Lok Sabha
3. not a member of either House of Parliament
4. an experienced administrator

Answer

a member of Lok Sabha

How long can a person continue to be a Minister of the Union Government without being a member of either House of Parliament?

1. one year
2. three months
3. six months
4. for an unlimited period

Answer

six months

Ministers in the Union cabinet are appointed by

1. the Prime Minister
2. the President
3. the President on the advice of the Prime Minister
4. the Prime Minister on the advice of the President of India

Answer

the President on the advice of the Prime Minister

The tenure of the Union council of Ministers is

1. fixed and co-terminus with the President
2. five years
3. uncertain
4. co-terminus with the Lok Sabha

Answer

co-terminus with the Lok Sabha

The formation of the Council of Ministers starts with the appointment of

1. the President
2. the Speaker
3. the Prime Minister
4. none of the above

Answer

the Prime Minister

The President can dismiss a member of Union Cabinet

1. on his own
2. on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
3. only under emergency conditions
4. with the consent of the Speaker

Answer

on the recommendation of the Prime Minister

The main characteristic of the cabinet system is

1. inclusion of the President
2. leadership of the Prime Minister
3. cabinet decisions are not binding on all Ministers
4. all the above

Answer

leadership of the Prime Minister

If there is some disagreement between a Minister and the Prime Minister, the latter can

1. ask the Minister to resign from Parliament
2. expel the Minister from the party
3. ask the Minister to resign his Ministership
4. ask Parliament to remove the Minister

Answer

ask the Minister to resign his Ministership

What is the tenure of the Prime Minister?

1. 5 years
2. So long as he is leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha
3. It depends on President's pleasure
4. As long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha

Answer

As long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha

Which one of the following officials is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister?

1. Chief Justice of India
2. Chairman of UPSC
3. Governor of a state
4. All of these

Answer

All of these

Who is the leader of the Lok Sabha?

1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Leader of opposition
4. Speaker of Lok Sabha

Answer

Prime Minister

Generally all important decisions are taken by

1. the council of Ministers
2. the Cabinet
3. the Prime Minister
4. none of these

Answer

the Cabinet

In reality the Council of Ministers stays in office as long as it enjoys

1. the confidence of Lok Sabha
2. the confidence of Prime Minister
3. the confidence of President
4. the confidence of Rajya Sabha

Answer

the confidence of Lok Sabha

The council of Ministers is

1. unrelated to the cabinet
2. identical with the cabinet
3. a larger body than the cabinet
4. a smaller body than the cabinet

Answer

a larger body than the cabinet

Who can dissolve the Lok Sabha?

1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Speaker of Lok Sabha
4. Vice President

Answer

President

Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

The Ministers are individually responsible to the President, i.e., they hold office during the pleasure of the President and may be dismissed by him on the advice of the Prime Minister. The principle of individual responsibility to the head of the state is embodied in Art. 75 (2) — "The Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President." Though the ministers are collectively responsible to the Legislature, they shall be individually responsible to the President and shall be liable to be dismissal even when they have the confidence of the House of people. But since the Prime Minister's advice will be available in the matter of dismissing other Ministers individually, it may be expected that this power of the President will virtually be a power of the Prime Minister against his colleagues. Thus, in effect, a minister is individually responsible to the Prime Minister.

Union Ministers are collectively responsible to

1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Parliament
4. Supreme Court

Answer

Parliament

The Ministers hold office during the pleasure of

1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Parliament
4. Supreme Court

Answer

President

Identify the correct meaning and implication of 'individual responsibility' of the union ministers to the President.

P : The Ministers are individually responsible to the President.

Q : The President can dismiss a Minister as and when he likes.

R : The President can dismiss a Minister only on the advice of the Prime Minister.

S : The Ministers are not responsible to the Prime Minister but only to the President.

1. P and Q
2. Q and S
3. P and R
4. P and S

Answer

P and R

Consider the two statements given below regarding 'collective responsibility' of the Council of Ministers, and select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (B).

(A) If a vote of no-confidence is passed against any Minister in the Lok Sabha, entire council of ministers has to tender resignation.

(B) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People.

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Answer

(B) is the reason for (A)

Choose the incorrect statement :

1. The President is only the constitutional head of state.
2. The real executive powers are vested in the Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
3. If the President resigns, the Union Cabinet is automatically dissolved.
4. If the Prime Minister resigns due to any reason, the cabinet is automatically dissolved.

Answer

If the President resigns, the Union Cabinet is automatically dissolved.

By whom and on whose advice are the Union Ministers appointed?

Answer

The Union ministers are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Under what provision can a non-member of the legislature be made a Minister?

Answer

A non-member appointed as a Minister must be elected to either House of Parliament within six months from the date of appointment; otherwise, he shall resign from the post of Minister.

Mention one important power of the Prime Minister of India.

Answer

The Prime Minister keeps the national interest in mind, while discussing issues at international forums. He decides on India's internal and foreign policies.

Mention two important functions of the Union Cabinet.

Answer

Two important functions of the Union Cabinet are:

1. The cabinet is the policy framing organ of the government. It thus frames governmental policies, both external and domestic.
2. Decisions on issues like defence and internal security, economic policy, industrial policy, imports and trade, peacekeeping requirements, electoral reforms, etc are taken by the cabinet.

Which body formulates the foreign policy of India?

Answer

The Cabinet, along with the prime minister, is responsible for the formulation of foreign policy.

What is the difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers?

Answer

The difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers are given below:

What happens when a motion of No-Confidence against the Council of Ministers is passed in the Lok Sabha?

Answer

When a motion of No-Confidence against the Council of Ministers is passed in the Lok Sabha, the whole ministry including the Prime Minister, is obligated to resign.

Mention different categories of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers.

Answer

The Council of Ministers has three categories of Ministers besides the Prime Minister. They are :

1. Cabinet Ministers
2. Ministers of State
3. Deputy Ministers.

What do you mean by 'collective responsibility'?

Answer

Collective responsibility means that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Since the policy of the Government is not that of one minister but of all the ministers, so if something goes wrong with the policy of only one minister, the whole Council of Ministers takes responsibility. A vote of no-confidence against one Minister is a vote against the whole ministry. Such a ministry having lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha has to resign.

What is meant by 'individual responsibility'?

Answer

Individual responsibility means that each Minister holds office during the pleasure of the President. It means that each Minister is individually responsible to the President, for the department under him/her. Hence, the ministers may be dismissed by him on the advice of the Prime Minister.

What happens if a 'vote of no-confidence' is passed against a Minister in the Lok Sabha?

Answer

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The policy of the Government is not that of one minister but of all the ministers. Hence, a vote of no-confidence against one Minister is a vote against the whole ministry. Such a ministry having lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha has to resign.

What is meant by the Cabinet?

Answer

Cabinet Ministers are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They are small group of full-fledged Ministers who hold important portfolios such as home, finance, defence, etc.

How long can a Ministry stay in office?

Answer

The ministers being a members of Parliament have a normal term of office of 5 years. But Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers can remain in office so long as they enjoy the majority support in the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers then they have to resign collectively even before completion of their 5 years term.

While the President is the Head of the State, the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government. In this connection, explain the following

(a) Who becomes the Prime Minister after new elections?

(b) What are his functions or powers?

(c) Explain his relation with the Council of Ministers.

Answer

(a) The leader of the political party securing absolute majority in the Lok Sabha is appointed by the President as the Prime Minister. When no political party or coalition of parties enjoys a majority in Lok Sabha, only then the President has discretion in inviting the leader of a party or coalition of parties to form government, who in his opinion, is able to form a stable government.

(b) The functions of the Prime minister are given below:

1. He communicates to the President all the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration and legislation. He is a link between the President and the cabinet.
2. portfolios of the Ministers and assigns the ranks of the Ministers. He can transfer a minister from one department to another, and if necessary may even ask a minister to resign.
3. The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman and defender of the government.
4. He decides on India's internal and foreign policies.
5. He is the ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission.

(c) The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on his advice. The entire Council of Ministers works as a team with the Prime Minister acting as the skipper. All the meetings of the Council as a whole or of the Cabinet are presided over by the Prime Minister. The Ministers are individually responsible to the Prime Minister.

The Union Executive which consists of the President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers is a powerful body in a Parliamentary Democracy. In this context answer the following questions

(a) State the position of the Prime Minister and state any two of his powers in relation to the President.

(b) Mention the three categories of Ministers in order of their rank and status.

(c) Mention any four Legislative powers of the Cabinet.

Answer

(a) While the President is the nominal head of the executive, the Prime Minister is the real head of the executive. Two powers of Prime Minister in relation to the President are:

1. He communicates to the President all the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration and legislation. He is a link between the President and the cabinet.
2. The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints as well as dismisses any member of the Council of Ministers. All major appointments like those of the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court are made on the advice of the Prime Minister.

(b) Three categories of Ministers in order of their rank and status are:

1. Cabinet Ministers : They are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They are full-fledged Ministers who hold important portfolios.
2. Ministers of State : They are the second category of Ministers. They may or may not hold an independent charge of any portfolio. The Prime Minister may or may not consult them.
3. Deputy Ministers : They are the third category of Ministers who assist the Cabinet Ministers and the Council of Ministers. They take no part in cabinet deliberations.

(c) Four legislative powers of the Cabinet are:

1. Introduction of Bills
2. Amendment to the Constitution
3. President's Address to the Parliament
4. Policy making

The Cabinet holds a pivotal position in the working of the Indian Parliamentary Government. In this context discuss the following

(a) The formation of the Cabinet.

(b) Any two administrative powers of the Cabinet.

(c) Any two legislative powers of the Cabinet.

Answer

(a) The Cabinet consists of a small but important body of senior members of the Council of Ministers. Its members hold the most important portfolios allocated by the Prime Minister and decide crucial policies of the government.

(b) Two administrative powers of the Cabinet are:

1. The cabinet is the policy framing organ of the government. It thus frames governmental policies, both external and domestic.
2. Decisions on issues like defence and internal security, economic policy, industrial policy, imports and trade, peacekeeping requirements, electoral reforms, etc. are taken by the cabinet.

(c) Two legislative powers of the Cabinet are:

1. Introduction of Bills — The cabinet initiates, formulates and presents the Bills in the Parliament for approval. The Parliament only discusses and scrutinises it.
2. Policy making — The responsibility of deciding policy matters rests entirely with the Cabinet Ministers with the Prime Minister in the chair. They decide and frame policies regarding each and every branch of the Government in their meetings.

The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister is the most powerful institution in the Indian polity. In this context answer the following :

(a) State briefly the position of the Prime Minister in the Parliamentary system of Government. State any two powers the Prime Minister has as a leader of the Nation.

(b) Distinguish between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.

(c) Write any four functions of the 'Cabinet'.

Answer

(a) While the President is the nominal head of the executive, the Prime Minister is the real head of the executive. Though he is the head of the government, he is answerable to the Parliament and through it to the people of the country. Questions raised by the opposition parties act as an effective check on the Prime Minister's authority. The press and public opinion also serve as important check on his authority. He is responsible for the lapses and the failure of the policies of his government. Thus, the Parliamentary system of government provides him real executive powers as the head of the government, but also provides a mechanism to keep his power in check.

Two powers the Prime Minister has as a leader of the Nation are:

1. The Prime Minister decides on India's internal and foreign policies.
2. He represents the country in international conferences like those sponsored by the UN, the NAM summits, SAARC, etc. where he puts forward the views of entire nation.

(b) The differences between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet are:

(c) Four functions of the Cabinet are:

1. The cabinet is the policy framing organ of the government. It thus frames governmental policies, both external and domestic.
2. The decisions taken and policies framed by the cabinet are communicated to the respective ministers, and the junior ministers and civil servants work towards their implementation.
3. All appointments — appointment of the Governors of states, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and many others — though made by the President, are actually decided by the cabinet.
4. The President cannot declare a proclamation of General Emergency under article 352 of the Constitution, without a written approval of the Cabinet. Proclamation of Financial Emergency and President's rule in a state are also decided by the cabinet.