Question 1
State the three categories of Ministers in the Council of Ministers. Which category of
ministers are the most important?
Answer
The three categories of Ministers in the Council of Ministers are-
1. Cabinet Ministers
2. Minister of State
3. Deputy Ministers
Cabinet Ministers are the most important category of ministers as they hold important
portfolios.
Question 2
Explain the term 'Collective Responsibility'. Who is the head of the Union Council of
ministers?
Answer
The principle of collective responsibility implies the following:
1. The decisions taken in the meetings of the Cabinet are equally applicable to all the
Ministers even though they may differ among themselves on a particular policy.
2. All Ministers jointly share the responsibility for the government's policies and
performance. The Ministers must function as a team in supporting and defending
government policies inside as well as outside Parliament.
3. A Vote of No-Confidence against one Minister is a vote against the whole Ministry.
Such a Ministry that has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha has to resign.
Prime Minister is the head of the Union Council of Ministers.
Question 3
How long can a Minister stay in office? Under what provision can a non-member of
Parliament be made a Minister?
Answer
A minister being a member of Parliament has a normal term of office of 5 years. But Prime
Minister and the Council of Ministers can remain in office so long as they enjoy the majority
support in the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no -confidence against the
Council of Ministers then they have to resign collectively even before completion of their 5
years term.
In case a non-member is appointed as a Minister, he must be elected or nominated to the
Parliament six months from the date of his appointment. Failing this, he will have to resign
from the post of a Minister.
Question 4
By whom and on whose advice is the Council of Ministers appointed? A large number of
people are killed in a major rail accident. What happens if the Railway Minister resigns from
the post on moral grounds?
Answer
The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Each minister is individually responsible to the Parliament for the department under his/her
control. For this reason, if the Railway Minister is owning the responsibility of the mistakes
and shortcomings of his/her department then only he/she needs to resign. The rest of the
members of the cabinet will not resign and continue working.
Structured Questions
Question 1
With reference to the powers and functions of the Cabinet, briefly state the following:
(a) Three Administrative Functions.
(b) Three Legislative Functions.
(c) Four Financial Functions.
Answer
(a) Three administrative functions of the Cabinet are as follows-
1. Policy Making — The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic policies of the
Government. Individual Ministers have reasonable freedom of action, but on all major
matters they have to consult the Cabinet.
2. Implementation of Policies — Once a policy decision is taken by the Cabinet on any
subject, it is conveyed to the Minister of State and the Deputy Minister of the
concerned Ministry. They work out the details and pass it to the civil servants under
that Ministry to implement the decision.
3. Coordinating the Functioning of Various Ministers — The Cabinet coordinates the
working of various departments for the smooth implementation of government
policies.
(b) Three legislative functions of the Cabinet are as follows-
1. Amendment to the Constitution — The Cabinet is instrumental in planning and
moving the Amendment to the Constitution.
2. Summoning the Houses of Parliament — Although the Houses are summoned by
the President, initiative in this matter is taken by the Ministry of Parliamentary
Affairs.
3. Issuing Ordinances — Cabinet also advises the President to issue ordinances when
the Parliament is not in session.
(c) Four financial functions of the Cabinet are as follows-
1. Budget — The Finance Minister prepares the Annual Budget containing estimates of
income and expenditure for the ensuing year.
i. Though the budget is passed by Parliament, usually no changes are made in
the budget figures against the wishes of the Cabinet.
ii. Any amendment to the budget proposals against the wishes of the Cabinet that
may be passed by the Lok Sabha amounts to a vote of No-Confidence in the
Ministry. It happens only when the Ministry has lost the support of the
majority in the Lok Sabha. In such a situation the Ministry must resign.
2. Finances of the Government — The Cabinet is responsible for the expenditure of
the government for presenting the demand for grants and also for raising necessary
income by various means including taxation.
3. Introduction of Money Bills — A Money Bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha
only by a Minister.
Question 2
The Constitution provides a Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President. In this
context, answer the following questions:
(a) Briefly mention three of their functions.
(b) How does the Parliament exercise an effective control over the Council of Ministers?
(c) State the Cabinet's role in the formulation of policies of the Government.
Answer
(a) Three functions of Council of Ministers are-
1. Policy Making — The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic policies of the
Government. Individual Ministers have reasonable freedom of action, but on all major
matters they have to consult the Cabinet.
2. Implementation of Policies — Once a policy decision is taken by the Cabinet on any
subject, it is conveyed to the Minister of State and the Deputy Minister of the
concerned Ministry. They work out the details and pass it to the civil servants under
that Ministry to implement the decision.
3. Finances of the Government — The Cabinet is responsible for the expenditure of
the government for presenting the demand for grants and also for raising necessary
income by various means including taxation.
(b) Parliament ensures Cabinet's responsibility to the people, in general, and to the Parliament
as a whole. The methods adopted by the Parliament are —
1. A vote of No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers.
2. Rejection of a Government bill.
3. Passing a bill opposed by the Government.
4. Voting a cut in the Budget.
5. Passing an amendment to a bill against the wishes of the Government.
6. Reducing the salaries of the Ministers.
7. Asking questions.
8. Adjournment motions.
9. Rejecting some government measures.
(c) The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic policies of the Government.
1. It takes decisions on matters such as defence, economic policy, security needs,
President's rule in State, formation of new States, industrial policy, imports and
electoral reforms.
2. Individual Ministers have reasonable freedom of action, but on all major matters they
have to consult the Cabinet.
Question 3
With reference to the Prime Minister of India, answer the following questions:
(a) State any three qualifications which a person should possess to be eligible for appointment
as Prime Minister.
(b) What is the position of the Prime Minister under the Parliamentary system of
government?
(c) How is the Prime Minister a link between the Cabinet and the President?
Answer
(a) Three qualifications which a person should possess to be eligible for appointment as
Prime Minister are-
1. He should be a citizen of India.
2. He must have completed 25 years of age in case he is a member of Lok Sabha and 30
years in case of Rajya Sabha.
3. He must be a member of either house of Parliament.
(b) While the President is the nominal head of State, the Prime Minister is the real head of the
nation.
1. Leader of the Lok Sabha — As the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party
in Parliament, he is said to be the leader of the House.
2. Spokesperson of the Government — The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman of
the Government in the Parliament. He makes all important announcements on national
policies on the floor of the House.
3. Defender of Government Policies — The Prime Minister defends the Government in
the Parliament. When a policy or a Minister comes under attack in the Parliament, the
Prime Minister comes to defend the issue involved.
4. Intervention in case of Controversial Issues — There are some controversial issues
like the language issue, Centre-State relations, price-rise and atrocities on women
over which members lose their temper. If an ugly situation arises in any of the
Houses, the matter generally ends with the intervention of the Prime Minister.
(c) The Prime Minister is a link between the Cabinet and the President.
1. Our Constitution lays down that it shall be the duty of the Prime Minister to
communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the
administration of the Union and the proposals for legislation.
2. A Minister cannot discuss any matter of national policy with the President on his/her
own.
Question 4
With reference to the Prime Minister of India, answer the following questions:
(a) How can we say that the Prime Minister occupies a unique position in the Parliament?
(b) State any three powers of the Prime Minister as a Chairperson of the Cabinet?
(c) Mention three ways in which the Constitution ensures the pre-eminent position of the
Prime Minister in relation to the Union Council of Ministers.
Answer
(a) The Prime Minister occupies a unique position in the Parliament as can be seen by the
following points-
1. Leader of the Lok Sabha — As the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party
in Parliament, he is said to be the leader of the House.
2. Spokesperson of the Government — The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman of
the Government in the Parliament. He makes all important announcements on national
policies on the floor of the House.
3. Defender of Government Policies — The Prime Minister defends the Government in
the Parliament. When a policy or a Minister comes under attack in the Parliament, the
Prime Minister comes to defend the issue involved.
4. Intervention in case of Controversial Issues — There are some controversial issues
like the language issue, Centre-State relations, price-rise and atrocities on women
over which members lose their temper. If an ugly situation arises in any of the
Houses, the matter generally ends with the intervention of the Prime Minister.
(b) Three powers of the Prime Minister as a Chairperson of the Cabinet are as follows-
1. Power to Allocate Portfolios and to Reshuffle the Council of Ministers — It is the
Prime Minister who allocates departments or portfolios to the Ministers. He can
reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he pleases.
2. Power to Select and Dismiss Ministers — The Prime Minister chooses the Ministers
and has the power to dismiss them too. He can ask an erring Minister to resign.
3. Power to Direct and Coordinate Policy — The Prime Minister coordinates the
working of various departments so that administration is carried on smoothly. In
critical matters such as, foreign, defence, economic and technological affairs, he
coordinates the policy of the Government.
(c) Three ways in which the Constitution ensures the pre-eminent position of the Prime
Minister in relation to the Union Council of Ministers are as follows-
1. Appointment of Council of Ministers — The Prime Minister chooses the ministers
and, on his advice, the President appoints them.
2. Power to Allocate Portfolios and to Reshuffle the Council of Ministers — It is the
Prime Minister who allocates departments or portfolios to the Ministers. He can
reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he pleases.
3. Power to Dismiss Ministers — The Prime Minister has the power to dismiss the
ministers. He can ask an erring Minister to resign.
Question 1
Study the figure and answer the following questions:
(a) What is meant by the term 'Cabinet'? Who comprises the Cabinet?
(b) State three points of difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
(c) Distinguish between individual responsibility and collective responsibility.
Answer
(a) The Cabinet is composed of a small but important body of senior leaders of the party, who
are included in the Council of Ministers.
1. They hold important portfolios and decide major policies of the Government.
2. They, being trusted colleagues of the Prime Minister, form the nucleus of the
administration.
3. In fact, the Cabinet is the pivot round which the whole administration revolves.
4. They hold important portfolios like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs,
Railways, etc.
5. A Cabinet Minister is in charge of a Ministry and some times of more than one
Ministry.
6. Only Cabinet Ministers have a right to attend meetings of the Cabinet.
7. They together determine the policy and programme of the Government.
(b) Three points of difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers are as
follows:
Cabinet Ministers Council of Ministers
The 'Cabinet' is a smaller group consisting of senior The Council of Ministers consists of all
Ministers holding important portfolios such as Defence, categories of Ministers — Cabinet Ministers,
Finance, Home, etc. Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
They are the most trusted colleagues of the Prime The Prime Minister may or may not consult
Minister. The Prime Minister always consults them. The the other Ministers, below the rank of Cabinet
decisions of the Cabinet are binding on all the ministers. Ministers.
The Cabinet is a small cohesive group of senior Ministers In the day-to-day working of the government,
who determine the policy and programme of the the Council of Ministers as a whole rarely
Government; so they meet as frequently as possible. meets.
(c) The differences between collective responsibility and individual responsibility of the
Council of Ministers are as follows:
Collective Responsibility Individual Responsibility
According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the
Council of Ministers sh7all be collectively The Ministers are individually responsible to the President.
responsible to the Lok Sabha.
Each Minister is answerable to Parliament for the department
The decisions taken in the meetings of the Cabinet
under his control. It is obligatory for him to answer all the
are equally applicable to all the Ministers even
questions asked by the MPs, regarding matters such as personal
though they may differ among themselves on a
lapse, departure from official policy by him or by his
particular policy.
department, breach of oath of secrecy and so on.
A Vote of No-Confidence against one Minister is a
A minister may be dismissed by the President on the advice of
vote against the whole Ministry. Such a Ministry
the Prime Minister even when they may have the confidence of
that has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha has to
the Legislature.
resign.
Question 1
Suppose you are appointed as the Prime Minister of India. How will you choose your Cabinet
and whom would you appoint as Ministers?
Answer
If I am appointed as the Prime Minister of India, my guiding principles for choosing my
cabinet will be firstly, to have only people without any criminal background considered for
my cabinet. Secondly, my ministers should be honest, dedicated, self-less and above all not
corrupt. I will also appoint young men who are technically sound as Ministers in my cabinet
so that their experience and passion could be used to develop the country.
Question 2
In a coalition government, a number of parties join together to form the government. There
occurs a clash of interests among different parties that makes the government weak. Give
your views and reasons to justify them.
Answer
Yes, historically we have seen that when a number of parties join together to form a coalition
government, such a government is weak. Due to the conflicting interests of the different
parties involved, compromise and tolerance becomes the norm and the narrow agenda of
regional parties takes priority over national needs. National economy becomes weak as the
fiscal requirements of individual states and regions takes precedence.
The coalition partners have no common ideology. As a result, they are always living in this
fear that the government can fall anytime. So, they try to maximise the financial gains for
their respective parties in a short span of time. This combined with a lack of accountability in
a coalition towards the people increases corruption leading to major scams.
Hence, a coalition government is weak and unable to strengthen the nation.
