Prime Minister & Council of Ministers – High Weightage Topic for Competitive Exams

1. (Statement Based)

Consider the following statements:

1. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
2. The Constitution explicitly provides for the post of Prime Minister.
3. The Prime Minister must be a member of Lok Sabha only.

Which of the above are correct?

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. प्रधानमंत्री की नियुक्ति राष्ट्रपति द्वारा की जाती है।
2. संविधान में प्रधानमंत्री के पद का स्पष्ट उल्लेख है।
3. प्रधानमंत्री केवल लोकसभा का सदस्य होना चाहिए।

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 2 and 3 only

✅ Answer: A

2. (Assertion–Reason)

Assertion (A): Prime Minister is the real executive head.

Reason (R): All executive powers are exercised in the name of the President.

A. Both A and R are true and R explains A

B. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A

C. A is true, R is false

D. A is false, R is true

✅ Answer: B

3. (Match the Following)

List I List II

A. Article 74 1. Appointment of PM

B. Article 75 2. Aid and Advice

C. Article 78 3. Duties of PM

D. Article 77 4. Conduct of Govt Business

Choose the correct answer:

A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1

✅ Answer: A

4. (Statement Based)

1. Council of Ministers includes Cabinet Ministers only.
2. Cabinet is a subset of Council of Ministers.
3. All ministers are part of Cabinet.

A. 2 only

B. 1 and 3

C. 2 and 3

D. 1 only

✅ Answer: A

5. (Assertion–Reason)

A: Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.

R: Lok Sabha can remove the Council through No Confidence Motion.

A. Both true and R explains A

B. Both true but R not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

6. (Statement Based)

1. A minister must become MP within 6 months.
2. Non-member cannot be appointed as minister.
3. President administers oath.

A. 1 and 3

B. 1 only

C. 1, 2, 3

D. 2 only

✅ Answer: A

7. (Match the Following)

Minister Type Description

A. Cabinet 1. Independent charge

B. MoS (Independent) 2. Core policy

C. MoS 3. Assists Cabinet

D. Deputy Minister 4. Subordinate

A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

✅ Answer: A

8. (Statement Based)

1. Prime Minister allocates portfolios.
2. President decides portfolios.
3. PM can reshuffle ministers.

A. 1 and 3

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2

D. 1 only

✅ Answer: A

9. (Assertion–Reason)

A: PM is link between President and Council.

R: PM communicates decisions to President.

A. Both true, R explains A

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

10. (Statement Based)

1. PM advises dissolution of Lok Sabha.
2. President can reject advice always.
3. Advice binding after 44th Amendment.

A. 1 and 3

B. 1 only

C. 2 only

D. 1, 2, 3

✅ Answer: A

11. (Assertion–Reason)

A: Cabinet decisions bind all ministers.

R: Collective responsibility principle.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

12. (Statement Based)

1. PM chairs Cabinet.
2. Cabinet is mentioned in Constitution originally.
3. Cabinet word added by 44th Amendment.

A. 1 and 3

B. 1 only

C. 2 only

D. 1, 2

✅ Answer: A

13. (Match the Following)

Function Authority

A. Appoint Ministers 1. President

B. Recommend names 2. PM

C. Allocate work 3. PM

D. Oath 4. President

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

✅ Answer: A

14. (Statement Based)

1. PM can ask minister to resign.
2. President can remove minister independently.
3. Ministers hold office at pleasure of President.

A. 1 and 3

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2

D. 1 only

✅ Answer: A

15. (Assertion–Reason)

A: Council survives as long as PM enjoys majority.

R: PM is head of Council.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

16. (Statement Based)

1. Cabinet Committees are constitutional.
2. PM heads major committees.
3. Committees help decision making.

A. 2 and 3

B. 1 only

C. 1 and 2

D. 1, 2, 3

✅ Answer: A

17. (Match the Following)

Amendment Feature

A. 42nd 1. Binding advice

B. 44th 2. Reconsideration

C. Original 3. No explicit cabinet

D. 91st 4. Limit ministers

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

✅ Answer: A

18. (Assertion–Reason)

A: PM dominates Council.

R: Ministers depend on PM for position.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

19. (Statement Based)

1. PM decides agenda of Cabinet.
2. President attends Cabinet meetings.
3. Cabinet decisions taken collectively.

A. 1 and 3

B. 2 only

C. 1 only

D. 1, 2, 3

✅ Answer: A

20. (Assertion–Reason)

A: PM is keystone of Cabinet arch.

R: PM controls policy and coordination.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

21. (Statement Based)

1. Deputy PM is constitutional post.
2. PM decides hierarchy.
3. Deputy PM has special powers.

A. 2 only

B. 1 and 2

C. 2 and 3

D. 1 only

✅ Answer: A

22. (Match the Following)

Body Role

A. Cabinet 1. Core decision

B. CoM 2. Wider body

C. PMO 3. Assistance

D. Secretariat 4. Administrative support

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

✅ Answer: A

23. (Assertion–Reason)

A: PM advises President on appointments.

R: President bound by advice.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A

24. (Statement Based)

1. PM can resign individually.
2. Entire Council falls after PM resignation.
3. President appoints new PM.

A. 1, 2, 3

B. 1 and 2

C. 2 only

D. 1 only

✅ Answer: A

25. (Assertion–Reason)

A: Collective responsibility ensures unity.

R: Ministers must support Cabinet decisions publicly.

A. Both true, R explains

B. Both true, not explanation

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

✅ Answer: A