Council of Ministers in Union Government MCQ CSP 2022

UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) Exam 2022 – General Studies Paper I

Question. Consider the following statements:

1. 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.

2. 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?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

प्रश्न. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

1. भारत का संविधान मंत्रियों को चार श्रेणियों, अर्थात कैबिनेट मंत्री, स्वतंत्र प्रभार वाले राज्य मंत्री, राज्य मंत्री और उप मंत्री में वर्गीकृत करता है।

2. संघ सरकार में, मंत्रियों की कुल संख्या, प्रधान मंत्री को मिलाकर, लोक सभा के कुल सदस्यों के 15% से अधिक नहीं होनी चाहिए।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

(a) केवल 1

(b) केवल 2

(c) 1 और 2 दोनों

(d) न तो 1, न ही 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect.
The Constitution of India does not classify Council of Ministers. Article 74 provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.

Statement 2 is correct.
The Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act, 2003, which came with effect from January 1, 2004, inserted clause 1A in Article 75 of the Constitution. It says that,

Article 75, clause 1A: The total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People.

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