Prime Minister MCQ: Ambedkar's View, Inner Cabinet & Article 88

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

1. Q1.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stated that if any functionary under the Indian Constitution is to be compared with the US President, he is the:

   • A.President of India
   • B.Vice-President
   • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Chief Justice

   Explanation: Ambedkar stated that the Prime Minister is the one who can be compared to the US President, not the President of India.

2. Q2.Can the President exercise his executive power without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers?

   • A.Yes, always
   • B.Yes, in emergencies
   • C.No, never✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Only in financial matters

   Explanation: The exercise of executive power by the President without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers is unconstitutional (Article 74 is mandatory).

3. Q3.Who acts as the link between the President and the Council of Ministers?

   • A.Speaker
   • B.Vice-President
   • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Cabinet Secretary

   Explanation: The Prime Minister acts as the principal channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers (Article 78).

4. Q4.Ministers of State (Independent Charge) are invited to Cabinet meetings only when:

   • A.They wish to attend
   • B.The PM is absent
   • C.Matters related to their ministry are considered✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Parliament is in session

   Explanation: They are not members of the Cabinet and attend meetings only when matters related to their departments are considered.

5. Q5.Which of the following is an informal body, also known as the 'Inner Cabinet'?

   • A.Kitchen Cabinet✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Shadow Cabinet
   • C.Planning Commission
   • D.National Development Council

   Explanation: The 'Kitchen Cabinet' constitutes a small circle of friends and family who advise the PM, distinct from the formal cabinet.

6. Q6.Is the Prime Minister simply 'first among equals' in the modern context?

   • A.Yes, absolutely
   • B.No, his power has increased significantly✓ Correct Answer
   • C.No, his power has decreased
   • D.The term is irrelevant now

   Explanation: While traditionally 'first among equals', in practice, the PM's influence has grown so much that some scholars call it a 'Prime Ministerial Government'.

7. Q7.Who advises the President with regard to summoning and proroguing the sessions of Parliament?

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

   Explanation: The Prime Minister advises the President on summoning and proroguing the sessions of the Parliament.

8. Q8.Can the Prime Minister recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time?

   • A.No, never
   • B.Yes✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Only with Speaker's consent
   • D.Only after 5 years

   Explanation: Yes, the Prime Minister can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time.

9. Q9.According to the Supreme Court (1997), a person who is not a member of either House can be appointed as PM for:

   • A.3 months
   • B.6 months✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1 year
   • D.Indefinitely

   Explanation: A person who is not a member of either House can be appointed as PM for 6 months, within which he must become a member of either House.

10. Q10.Collective responsibility means the Cabinet's decisions bind:

    • A.Only the PM
    • B.Only Cabinet Ministers
    • C.All Ministers✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Opposition

    Explanation: It binds all ministers (Cabinet, State, Deputy) to support the decision within and outside Parliament.

11. Q11.Which Article of the Constitution gives ministers the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House?

    • A.Article 75
    • B.Article 78
    • C.Article 88✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 74

    Explanation: Article 88 provides that every minister shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House, but cannot vote in the House of which he is not a member.

12. Q12.Who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs?

    • A.Home Minister
    • B.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Finance Minister
    • D.Defense Minister

    Explanation: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs is chaired by the Prime Minister.

13. Q13.Which of the following Cabinet Committees is NOT chaired by the Prime Minister (traditionally)?

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

    Explanation: The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs is usually chaired by the Home Minister.

14. Q14.The provision that a minister who is a member of one House has the right to speak in the other House but can vote only in the House of which he is a member is mentioned in:

    • A.Article 75
    • B.Article 88✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 77
    • D.Article 74

    Explanation: This specific right and restriction regarding voting is detailed in Article 88.

15. Q15.Individual responsibility of ministers is to the:

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

    Explanation: Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, which implies individual responsibility to the President (Article 75).

16. Q16.In the British system, the legal responsibility of a minister generally falls on:

    • A.The Minister who countersigns the order✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The King/Queen
    • C.The Prime Minister
    • D.The Parliament

    Explanation: In Britain, every order of the King is countersigned by a minister, who is then legally responsible for it. India has no such provision.

17. Q17.Under the 91st Amendment Act (2003), a member of either House who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a:

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

    Explanation: The amendment added Article 75(1B), stating that a member disqualified for defection is also disqualified to be appointed as a Minister.

18. Q18.Who makes rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India?

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

    Explanation: Article 77(3) states that the President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India.

19. Q19.The minimum age to become a Prime Minister in India is:

    • A.21 years
    • B.25 years✓ Correct Answer
    • C.30 years
    • D.35 years

    Explanation: Since a person must be eligible to be a member of the Lok Sabha (minimum age 25), the minimum age for PM is 25.

20. Q20.Who is the 'Crisis Manager-in-Chief' at the political level during emergencies?

    • A.President
    • B.Home Minister
    • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Defense Minister

    Explanation: The Prime Minister acts as the Crisis Manager-in-Chief at the political level during emergencies.