Prime Minister MCQ: Cabinet Committees, Article 78 & Ministerial Advice Immunity

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The resignation of the Prime Minister means the resignation of:

   • A.Only the PM
   • B.PM and Cabinet Ministers only
   • C.The entire Council of Ministers✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Speaker

   Explanation: Since the Prime Minister stands at the head of the Council, his resignation leads to the resignation of the entire Council.

2. Q2.The advice tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any court. This is provided under:

   • A.Article 74(2)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 75(1)
   • C.Article 77
   • D.Article 78

   Explanation: Article 74(2) states that the question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any court.

3. Q3.Who advises the President to dismiss a minister in case of difference of opinion?

   • A.Speaker
   • B.Chief Justice
   • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Party President

   Explanation: The Prime Minister can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion.

4. Q4.Which of the following bodies is NOT chaired by the Prime Minister?

   • A.National Integration Council
   • B.Inter-State Council
   • C.National Water Resources Council
   • D.Zonal Councils✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Zonal Councils are chaired by the Union Home Minister. The others are chaired by the Prime Minister.

5. Q5.The total number of ministers including the Prime Minister in the Central Council of Ministers was limited by:

   • A.Original Constitution
   • B.91st Amendment Act, 2003✓ Correct Answer
   • C.42nd Amendment Act, 1976
   • D.44th Amendment Act, 1978

   Explanation: The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 added the provision limiting the size of the Council of Ministers.

6. Q6.Which Article deals with the 'Conduct of Business of the Government of India'?

   • A.Article 74
   • B.Article 75
   • C.Article 77✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 78

   Explanation: Article 77 deals with the conduct of business of the Government of India.

7. Q7.In India, is there a legal responsibility of the minister?

   • A.Yes, for every act
   • B.No✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Only for financial acts
   • D.Only during emergency

   Explanation: Unlike the UK, there is no provision in the Indian Constitution for the system of legal responsibility of a minister. An order of the President for a public act need not be countersigned by a minister.

8. Q8.Who described the Prime Minister as 'The keystone of the Cabinet arch'?

   • A.Lord Morley
   • B.H.J. Laski
   • C.Sir Ivor Jennings✓ Correct Answer
   • D.B.R. Ambedkar

   Explanation: Sir Ivor Jennings described the Prime Minister as 'The keystone of the Cabinet arch'.

9. Q9.Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Cabinet Committees?

   • A.They are extra-constitutional
   • B.They are of two types: standing and ad hoc
   • C.Their membership is restricted to Cabinet Ministers only✓ Correct Answer
   • D.They sort out issues and formulate proposals

   Explanation: Their membership is NOT restricted to Cabinet Ministers only; non-cabinet ministers can also be members, though they are usually headed by the PM or a Cabinet Minister.

10. Q10.Every minister has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House of Parliament. Which Article grants this right?

    • A.Article 75
    • B.Article 88✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 78
    • D.Article 91

    Explanation: Article 88 concerns the rights of Ministers and Attorney General as respects Houses.

11. Q11.The 'Shadow Cabinet' is a unique institution of the cabinet system of which country?

    • A.USA
    • B.India
    • C.Britain✓ Correct Answer
    • D.France

    Explanation: The Shadow Cabinet is a unique institution of the British cabinet system, formed by the opposition party to balance the ruling cabinet.

12. Q12.Who determines the rank and portfolio of the Ministers?

    • A.President
    • B.Parliament
    • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Speaker

    Explanation: The Prime Minister recommends persons for appointment as ministers and determines their rank and portfolios.

13. Q13.In 1971, the Supreme Court held that:

    • A.A caretaker government is unconstitutional
    • B.Even after the dissolution of Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers does not cease to hold office✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The President can rule without the aid of ministers during dissolution
    • D.The PM must resign immediately upon dissolution

    Explanation: The SC ruled that Article 74 is mandatory, so the Council of Ministers continues to hold office to aid and advise the President even after the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

14. Q14.Which of the following Cabinet Committees is often described as the 'Super-Cabinet'?

    • A.Appointments Committee
    • B.Parliamentary Affairs Committee
    • C.Political Affairs Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Economic Affairs Committee

    Explanation: The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs and is the most powerful, hence called 'Super-Cabinet'.

15. Q15.The position of the 'Deputy Prime Minister' is:

    • A.Mentioned in Article 75
    • B.Mentioned in Article 74
    • C.Statutory
    • D.Non-constitutional✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Constitution does not contain any provision for the office of the Deputy Prime Minister; it is a political arrangement.

16. Q16.Who was the first Prime Minister to resign from office?

    • A.Charan Singh
    • B.Morarji Desai✓ Correct Answer
    • C.V.P. Singh
    • D.Chandra Shekhar

    Explanation: Morarji Desai was the first Prime Minister to resign from office (in 1979).

17. Q17.According to the Delhi High Court (1980), the oath of secrecy protects what?

    • A.The Minister's personal life
    • B.Corruption details
    • C.Information communicated for official duties✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Party strategies

    Explanation: It prohibits the disclosure of information communicated to the minister for the discharge of his official duties.

18. Q18.Who calls the meeting of the Cabinet and presides over it?

    • A.Cabinet Secretary
    • B.President
    • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Senior-most Minister

    Explanation: The Prime Minister summons cabinet meetings and presides over them.

19. Q19.The difference between 'Council of Ministers' and 'Cabinet' regarding size is:

    • A.Cabinet is larger (60-70 ministers)
    • B.Council is larger (60-70 ministers)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Both are same size
    • D.Cabinet includes Council

    Explanation: The Council of Ministers is a larger body (60-70 ministers), whereas the Cabinet is a smaller body (15-20 ministers).

20. Q20.Which Prime Minister was appointed by the President by exercising his 'individual judgment' for the first time in 1979?

    • A.Indira Gandhi
    • B.Charan Singh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rajiv Gandhi
    • D.V.P. Singh

    Explanation: President N. Sanjiva Reddy appointed Charan Singh as PM after the fall of the Janata Party government.