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5. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Section B — Chapter 3

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

Class 10 - Total History & Civics Solutions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

Who heads the Council of Ministers?

1. President
2. Prime Minister
3. Council Minister
4. Chief Justice of India

Answer

Prime Minister

Question 2

What happens if a non-member of Parliament is appointed as a Minister?

1. He/she has to become one within six months of appointment

2. He/she has to become a member in the next elections
3. He/she can defer the appointment until he/she becomes a member
4. He/she cannot be appointed.
Answer

He/she has to become one within six months of appointment

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the Prime Minister of India are correct?

P : The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President.

Q : The Prime Minister is not answerable to the people of the country.

R : The members of the majority party in the Lok Sabha elect their leader to be appointed as
the Prime Minister.

S : The Prime Minister is the nominal head of the nation.

1. P and Q
2. P and R
3. P and S
4. R and S

Answer

P and R

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the Council of Ministers are correct?

P : The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Prime Minister.

Q : The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

R : Every minister must be a member of Lok Sabha.

S : The Prime Minister selects his/her senior and trustworthy colleagues as Cabinet Ministers.

1. P and Q
2. P and R
3. Q and S
4. R and S

Answer

Q and S
Question 5

Who assist the Cabinet Ministers and the Council of Ministers?

1. Deputy Ministers
2. Ministers of State
3. Governors
4. None of the above

Answer

Deputy Ministers

Question 6

The President's Special Address to Parliament is prepared by ............... .

1. The Prime Minister

2. The Vice President
3. The Cabinet
4. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Answer

The Cabinet

Question 7

Which, amongst the following, is not a Financial Power of the Cabinet?

1. Budget
2. Summoning the Lok Sabha
3. Finances of the Government
4. Introduction of Money Bills

Answer

Summoning the Lok Sabha

Question 8

Identify the Legislative powers of the Cabinet.

P : The Cabinet is responsible for the expenditure of the Government.

Q : The Cabinet initiates almost 95 per cent of the Bills.

R : The ministers answer questions put to them by the members of the Lok Sabha.
S : The Cabinet directly advises the President of India.

1. Q and R
2. P and Q
3. Q and S
4. R and S

Answer

Q and R

Question 9

Whose resignation implies resignation of the whole cabinet?

1. Prime Minister
2. President
3. Chief Justice of India
4. Deputy Minister

Answer

Prime Minister

Question 10

Identify the methods by which Parliament maintains control over the Executive.

P : By passing a vote of No-confidence in the Council of Ministers.

Q : By changing the Council of Ministers after every six months.

R : By electing new Prime Minister after a gap of three years.

S : By passing an amendment to a bill against the wishes of the Government.

1. Q and R
2. P and S
3. R and S
4. P and R

Answer

P and S

Question 11

Who amongst the following has the power to select and dismiss Ministers?
 1. President
2. Chief Justice of India
3. Cabinet Minister
4. Prime Minister

Answer

President

Question 12

The initiative of summoning the Houses of Parliament is taken by ................ .

1. the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

2. the Prime Minister
3. the President
4. the Chief Justice

Answer

the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Question 13

Which of the following statements are correct?

P : The Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Q : A Vote of No-confidence against one Minister does not have any effect on the entire
Ministry.

R : The Ministers are individually responsible to the Prime Minister of India.

S : Every Minister is answerable to Parliament for the department under his/her control.

1. P and R
2. R and S
3. P and Q
4. P and S

Answer

P and S
Assertion (A) & Reason (R)

Question 1

(A) The President invites the leader of the majority party or group in the Lok Sabha to form
the Government.

(R) When no single party gets an absolute majority in Lok Sabha, the President uses his/her
discretion to appoint the new PM.

1. (A) is true, but (R) is false

2. (A) is false, but (R) is true
3. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of
(A)
4. Both (A) and (R) are false.

Answer

Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

Explanation — While both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, Reason (R) does not
explain Assertion (A) directly. Assertion (A) describes what happens when there is a clear
majority, while Reason (R) talks about a situation where there is no clear majority and the
President's discretionary power. Therefore, Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).

Question 2

(A) The Council of Ministers is consulted by the Prime Minister on all important decisions.

(R) It is the Council of Ministers which advises the President.

1. (A) is true, but (R) is false

2. (A) is false, but (R) is true
3. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of
(A)
4. Both (A) and (R) are false.

Answer

Both (A) and (R) are false.

Explanation — It is the Cabinet that is consulted by the Prime Minister on all important
decisions. Also, it is not the Council of Ministers but the Cabinet which advises the President
indirectly, through the Prime Minister. Hence, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
Short Answer Questions

Question 1

State the three categories of Ministers in the Council of Ministers. Which category of
ministers is 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 5

Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:

Madhavrao Scindia tended his resignation as Civil Aviation Minister on January 9, 1993
following the crash of TU-154 aircraft which was carrying 165 persons on board including
the crew. Although all the passengers survived the crash Madhavrao resigned on moral
grounds as the aircraft had been leased from Russia.

(a) Does Madhavrao's resignation reflect Individual Responsibility or Collective

Responsibility? Justify.

(b) State two important differences between Individual and Collective Responsibility.

(c) Which of these two responsibilities is more important? Why?

Answer

(a) Madhavrao's resignation reflects Individual Responsibility. This is because he was

directly in charge of the Civil Aviation Ministry and not the entire Council of Ministers.

(b) Two important differences between Individual and Collective Responsibility are as
follows:

Individual Collective
Responsibility Responsibility

1 The Ministers The Council of

. are individually Ministers is
responsible to collectively
the President, responsible to
i.e., they hold the Parliament
office during and has to
the pleasure of resign if it loses
the President the confidence
and may be of the Lok
dismissed by Sabha. A Vote of
him/her, on the No-Confidence
advice of the against one
Prime Minister Minister is a
even when they vote against the
may have the whole Ministry.
confidence of Such a Ministry
the Legislature. that has lost the
confidence of
the Lok Sabha
 has to resign.

All Ministers
Each Minister is jointly share the
answerable to responsibility
Parliament for for the
the department government's
under his/her policies and
control. It is performance.
obligatory for The Ministers
2
him/her to must function
.
answer all the as a team in
questions supporting and
asked by the defending
MPs, regarding government
the functioning policies inside
of his/her as well as
department. outside
Parliament.

(c) Collective Responsibility can be considered more crucial and important because it ensures
accountability at a larger scale. This can be clearly noticed when a vote of No-Confidence
against one minister is considered a vote against the whole Ministry, in the case of which the
whole Ministry has to resign.

Thinking Skills

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.

Question 3

Suppose you are appointed as the PM of India for a day. What two changes would you like to
bring in immediately and why?

Answer

If I were appointed as the Prime Minister of India for a day, I would focus on two immediate
changes that could have a lasting impact:

1. Implement Strict Accountability for Government Officials

(i) I would introduce a real-time monitoring system to track the efficiency and transparency
of government officials and bureaucrats.

(ii) This is because corruption and delays in public services affect millions of people. A
transparent and accountable system would ensure that government officers perform their
duties efficiently and serve the citizens effectively.

2. Prioritize Education and Skill Development

(i) I would launch a nationwide initiative to integrate practical skill-based education in

schools and colleges, ensuring students are job-ready upon graduation.

(ii) This is because many graduates struggle with unemployment due to a lack of practical
skills. Enhancing vocational training and technology-based learning would bridge the gap
between education and employment.

These two changes would promote good governance and empower the youth, laying the
foundation for long-term national progress.

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