Indian Parliamentary System: Council of Ministers
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Questions and Answers

Which committee is often referred to as a 'Super-Cabinet'?

  • Political Affairs Committee (correct)
  • Economic Affairs Committee
  • Parliamentary Affairs Committee
  • Appointments Committee

    • What is the primary function of the Economic Affairs Committee?

  • Coordinate foreign policies.
  • Oversee government appointments.
  • Monitor parliamentary progress.
  • Manage economic governmental activities. (correct)

    • Which committee is chaired by the Home Minister?

  • Appointments Committee
  • Economic Affairs Committee
  • Political Affairs Committee
  • Parliamentary Affairs Committee (correct)

    • What is the primary role of the Council of Ministers in relation to the President?

    <p>To aid and advise the President in his functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one observation made by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission concerning the Groups of Ministers (GoMs)?

    <p>The constitution of many GoMs has caused significant delays in many major issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommend for the operation of GoMs?

    <p>To ensure effective functioning with clear mandates and time limits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Article of the Constitution specifies that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President?

    <p>Article 75</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum number of ministers in the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister?

    <p>15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the role of Groups of Ministers (GoMs)?

    <p>Some GoMs are empowered to make binding decisions on behalf of the Cabinet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a condition for a minister who is not a member of Parliament?

    <p>They shall cease to be a minister after six months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who administers the oaths of office and secrecy to a minister in India?

    <p>The President</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The disqualification of a member due to defection affects their eligibility to be appointed as?

    <p>A minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which provision ensures the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers?

    <p>Article 75</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can the President respond if he disagrees with the advice of the Council of Ministers?

    <p>Require the Council to reconsider such advice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legislative body determines the salaries and allowances of the ministers?

    <p>The Parliament</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of the Inner Cabinet or Kitchen Cabinet?

    <p>It consists of the Prime Minister and influential colleagues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a noted advantage of the Kitchen Cabinet?

    <p>It allows for faster decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant demerit of the Kitchen Cabinet mentioned?

    <p>It undermines the authority of the formal cabinet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Kitchen Cabinet relate to the overall structure of governance?

    <p>It operates outside the formal constitutional framework.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which countries, apart from India, does the Kitchen Cabinet phenomenon occur?

    <p>USA and Britain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential risk associated with the existence of a Kitchen Cabinet?

    <p>Influence of non-official members on governmental functioning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the Kitchen Cabinet is true?

    <p>Every Prime Minister in India has had their own Kitchen Cabinet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe the effect of the Inner Cabinet's decisions on the larger cabinet?

    <p>Informal influence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the dynamics of the Kitchen Cabinet?

    <p>An informal and potentially secretive group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which power does the Kitchen Cabinet potentially undermine?

    <p>Formal cabinet authority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function do Cabinet Committees primarily serve?

    <p>Facilitating effective coordination and in-depth examination of policy issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As of 2019, how many Cabinet Committees are functional?

    <p>8</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following Cabinet Committees was present in 1994 but not in 2013?

    <p>Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle is not a basis of the Cabinet Committees?

    <p>Centralized decision making</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Cabinet Committee focuses on national security issues?

    <p>Cabinet Committee on Security</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In 2013, which Cabinet Committee was newly introduced that was not in 1994?

    <p>Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) related issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which minister typically presides over a Cabinet Committee when the Prime Minister is a member?

    <p>The Prime Minister himself</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of Cabinet Committees?

    <p>They can take decisions that the Cabinet can later review.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event prompted Arif Mohammed's resignation?

    <p>Opposition to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which article establishes the principle of individual responsibility of ministers?

    <p>Article 75</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT listed as a Cabinet Committee as of 2019?

    <p>Cabinet Committee on Agricultural Reforms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who has the authority to remove a minister in India?

    <p>The Prime Minister upon advice to the President</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's view on collective responsibility in government?

    <p>It requires a Prime Minister with statutory authority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates the legal responsibility of ministers in India from that in Britain?

    <p>In India, there is no requirement for a minister to countersign public acts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What roles do cabinet ministers play in the Indian government?

    <p>They head important ministries and attend cabinet meetings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding the composition of the council of ministers?

    <p>It comprises cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which category of ministers ranks highest in the Indian council of ministers?

    <p>The Prime Minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical function of the Prime Minister concerning other ministers' performance?

    <p>To request their resignation or advise dismissal if necessary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is not a characteristic of the ministerial system in India?

    <p>Advice given by ministers to the President is subject to legal scrutiny.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Council of Ministers

    • The Council of Ministers is the real executive authority in India's parliamentary system of government, modelled after the British system.
    • The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers.
    • The Constitution outlines the principles of parliamentary government in Articles 74 & 75.
    • Article 74 covers the status of the Council of Ministers, while Article 75 governs appointments, tenure, responsibility, qualifications, oath, and salaries and allowances.
    • The President, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers, is the head of state.
    • Courts cannot inquire into advice given to the President by the Council of Ministers.

    Prime Minister and Ministers

    • The President appoints the Prime Minister, and on the Prime Minister's advice, appoints other ministers.
    • The total number of ministers is capped at 15% of the Lok Sabha's total strength (added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003).
    • Members of Parliament disqualified due to defections are also disqualified from being appointed as ministers (also added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003).
    • Ministers hold office "during the pleasure of the President," meaning the President can remove them, but typically only on the Prime Minister's advice.

    Collective and Individual Responsibility

    • The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
    • Ministers are also individually responsible for their actions.
    • The Prime Minister can dismiss ministers for poor performance or differences in opinion, which ensures the principle of collective responsibility.
    • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized that a Prime Minister's ability to nominate and dismiss ministers is crucial for achieving collective responsibility.
    • In Britain, ministers countersign orders to allow for legal accountability.
    • India does not have a similar system of legal accountability for ministers.

    Composition of the Council of Ministers

    • The Council of Ministers includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
    • Cabinet Ministers head important ministries, attend Cabinet meetings, and play a major role in policy decisions.
    • The Prime Minister is the supreme governing authority.

    Kitchen Cabinet

    • The Cabinet, a smaller body of the most important Ministers, makes high-level decisions.
    • An even smaller, informal group called the "Inner Cabinet" (or "Kitchen Cabinet") consists of the Prime Minister and a small group of trusted advisors.
    • This informal body, often composed of family members, handles critical political and administrative issues.
    • The Kitchen Cabinet is not unique to India and exists in other countries, such as the USA and Britain.

    Cabinet Committees

    • Cabinet Committees are subgroups established within the Cabinet to address specific issues.
    • These committees allow for specialization and division of labor.
    • They make recommendations for the Cabinet to consider.
    • The Political Affairs Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, is considered the most powerful, sometimes referred to as a "Super-Cabinet."

    Groups of Ministers (GoMs)

    • GoMs are ad hoc bodies formed by the government to handle urgent issues or problem areas.
    • They are made up of Ministers from relevant ministries and typically dissolve once they provide recommendations to the Cabinet.
    • The Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommended effective coordination and the use of GoMs with specific mandates and deadlines.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the role and functions of the Council of Ministers in India's parliamentary system, emphasizing its relationship with the Prime Minister and the President. It explores relevant constitutional articles and the structure of the ministerial body as outlined in the constitution. Test your understanding of these key concepts!

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