Prime Minister MCQ: Deputy PM History, EGoMs & Cabinet Committee on Security

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

1. Q1.The 'Cabinet' generally meets:

   • A.Once a month
   • B.Once a week✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Once a year
   • D.Daily

   Explanation: The Cabinet generally meets once a week to deliberate and take decisions on important matters.

2. Q2.Which article puts a bar on the inquiry by courts into advice tendered by ministers to the President?

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

   Explanation: Article 74(2) states that the nature of advice tendered by ministers cannot be inquired into by any court.

3. Q3.Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India?

   • A.Morarji Desai
   • B.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Charan Singh
   • D.Jagjivan Ram

   Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.

4. Q4.Which of the following is NOT a function of the Cabinet?

   • A.It formulates external and domestic policies
   • B.It approves ordinances
   • C.It implements decisions (Administrative role)
   • D.It amends the Constitution directly✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Cabinet formulates policies and approves proposals, but the actual amendment of the Constitution is the function of the Parliament.

5. Q5.The 'Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoMs)' are empowered to:

   • A.Only discuss issues
   • B.Take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Amend laws
   • D.Appoint judges

   Explanation: EGoMs are empowered to take decisions on matters referred to them, and such decisions need not be ratified by the Cabinet.

6. Q6.The Council of Ministers consists of:

   • A.Cabinet Ministers only
   • B.Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State
   • C.Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Prime Minister only

   Explanation: The Council of Ministers is a composite body consisting of three categories: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.

7. Q7.Who was the first Prime Minister of India to be a member of the Rajya Sabha?

   • A.Indira Gandhi✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Manmohan Singh
   • C.I.K. Gujral
   • D.Deve Gowda

   Explanation: Indira Gandhi was a member of the Rajya Sabha when she became Prime Minister for the first time in 1966.

8. Q8.The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) deals with:

   • A.Only army recruitment
   • B.Issues relating to law and order and internal security✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Agriculture security
   • D.Pension security

   Explanation: The CCS deals with defense expenditures and issues relating to law and order and internal security.

9. Q9.Does the Constitution specify the procedure for the selection and appointment of the Prime Minister?

   • A.Yes, in detail
   • B.No, it only says President shall appoint PM✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, in the 10th Schedule
   • D.Yes, in Article 74

   Explanation: Article 75 only says the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President; it does not contain any specific procedure for selection.

10. Q10.A minister can be a member of which House of Parliament?

    • A.Only Lok Sabha
    • B.Only Rajya Sabha
    • C.Either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Neither (must resign membership)

    Explanation: A minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.

11. Q11.The principle of 'Individual Responsibility' is found in Article:

    • A.75(1)
    • B.75(2)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.75(3)
    • D.75(4)

    Explanation: Article 75(2) states ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, which is the principle of individual responsibility.

12. Q12.Who advises the President on the prorogation of the session of Parliament?

    • A.Speaker
    • B.Chief Justice
    • C.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Opposition Leader

    Explanation: The Prime Minister advises the President with regard to summoning and proroguing the sessions of the Parliament.

13. Q13.In 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that a person who is not a member of either House can be appointed as PM?

    • A.No, never
    • B.Yes, but must prove majority first
    • C.Yes, provided he enters one House within 6 months✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, for 5 years

    Explanation: The court held such a person can be appointed PM but must become a member of either House within 6 months.

14. Q14.The 'Kitchen Cabinet' is famously known in India as:

    • A.Inner Cabinet✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Outer Cabinet
    • C.Shadow Cabinet
    • D.Formal Cabinet

    Explanation: It is also known as the 'Inner Cabinet', a small body of intimate advisors.

15. Q15.Which PM described the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) as 'an arm of the government'?

    • A.Jawaharlal Nehru✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Indira Gandhi
    • C.Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    • D.Narendra Modi

    Explanation: This is a historical reference often attributed to the era of Nehru establishing the dominance of the Planning Commission.

16. Q16.If a Minister disagrees with a Cabinet decision:

    • A.He can vote against it in Parliament
    • B.He must accept it or resign✓ Correct Answer
    • C.He can publicly criticize it
    • D.He can ask for a referendum

    Explanation: Based on collective responsibility, a minister must accept the cabinet decision or resign if he cannot support it.

17. Q17.Parliamentary Secretaries are appointed by:

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

    Explanation: Parliamentary Secretaries are appointed by the Prime Minister (they don't have a department but assist senior ministers).

18. Q18.Can the satisfaction of the President in dismissing a minister be questioned in court?

    • A.Yes, it is justiciable
    • B.No, it is not justiciable
    • C.Only on grounds of mala fide✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Only if PM agrees

    Explanation: While largely subjective, the Supreme Court has indicated that executive satisfaction can be examined if it is mala fide or based on irrelevant considerations.

19. Q19.The power of the Prime Minister to advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha is:

    • A.Absolute
    • B.Subject to conditions (e.g., if he has lost majority)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Non-existent
    • D.Only applicable in the first year

    Explanation: If the government has lost its majority in the Lok Sabha, the President is not bound to accept the advice to dissolve the House.

20. Q20.Who plays a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of the country?

    • A.Defense Minister
    • B.Prime Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Foreign Secretary only
    • D.Chief Justice

    Explanation: The Prime Minister plays a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of the country.