Union Executive — PM, Cabinet, President Powers

Question 1

The Prime Minister is appointed by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

President — The President appoints the PM — usually the leader of the majority party/coalition in Lok Sabha.‌​‍

Answer

Parliament

Answer

People directly

Answer

Chief Justice

Question 2

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Lok Sabha — Article 75(3): The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People).‌​‍

Answer

President

Answer

Rajya Sabha

Answer

Supreme Court

Question 3

The maximum size of the Council of Ministers is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

15% of LS — 91st Amendment (2003) caps the Council of Ministers at 15% of the total Lok Sabha strength.‌​‍

Answer

10% of LS

Answer

20% of LS

Answer

No limit

Question 4

Who administers the oath to the President?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Chief Justice of India — The Chief Justice of India administers the oath of office to the President.‌​‍

Answer

PM

Answer

Vice President

Answer

Speaker

Question 5

The President can be impeached for:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Violation of the Constitution — Article 61: The President can be impeached for 'violation of the Constitution' — the only ground specified.‌​‍

Answer

Corruption

Answer

Misconduct

Answer

Incompetence

Question 6

If both President and VP posts are vacant, who acts as President?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Chief Justice of India — If both President and VP posts are vacant, the CJI acts as President (established by convention and Presidential Succession Act).‌​‍

Answer

PM

Answer

Speaker of LS

Answer

Senior-most Governor

Question 7

The President's emergency powers do NOT include:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Judicial Emergency — There is no 'Judicial Emergency' in the Constitution. ‌​‍The 3 emergencies are National (352), State (356), and Financial (360).

Answer

National Emergency (352)

Answer

State Emergency (356)

Answer

Financial Emergency (360)

Question 8

The PM must be a member of:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Either House of Parliament — The PM can be from either House. ‌​‍If not a member, must become one within 6 months. Most PMs are from Lok Sabha.

Answer

Lok Sabha only

Answer

Rajya Sabha only

Answer

Not necessary to be MP

Question 9

The first PM of India to be from Rajya Sabha was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Manmohan Singh — Dr. ‌​‍Manmohan Singh was PM (2004-2014) as a Rajya Sabha member. H.D. ‌​‍Deve Gowda was also from RS briefly.

Answer

Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer

Indira Gandhi

Answer

H.D. Deve Gowda

Question 10

The ordinance-making power of the President is under:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Article 123 — Article 123 gives the President power to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session.‌​‍

Answer

Article 108

Answer

Article 213

Answer

Article 352

Question 11

A vote of no-confidence can be moved in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Lok Sabha only — A no-confidence motion can only be moved in Lok Sabha. ‌​‍The Council of Ministers is responsible to LS, not RS.

Answer

Rajya Sabha only

Answer

Both Houses

Answer

State Assembly only

Question 12

The President's pardoning power is under:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Article 72 — Article 72 gives the President power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, or commutation of sentence.‌​‍

Answer

Article 32

Answer

Article 123

Answer

Article 161

Question 13

Cabinet meetings are presided over by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Prime Minister — The Prime Minister presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of different departments.‌​‍

Answer

President

Answer

Speaker

Answer

Vice President

Question 14

The term 'Cabinet' is mentioned in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

44th Amendment — The word 'Cabinet' was not in the original Constitution. ‌​‍The 44th Amendment (1978) introduced it in Article 352.

Answer

Original Constitution

Answer

42nd Amendment

Answer

91st Amendment

Question 15

Kitchen Cabinet refers to:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

PM's informal advisors — Kitchen Cabinet is an informal group of close advisors to the PM, not part of the formal Cabinet structure.‌​‍

Answer

Cabinet Committee on Food

Answer

Home Ministry staff

Answer

Parliamentary Committee

Union Executive — PM, Cabinet, President Powers