Indian Polity · MCQs

Prime Minister and Central Council of Ministers MCQs

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From the 61 in PrepShark’s Prime Minister and Central Council of Ministers set (Indian Polity). Pick an answer, then open the explanation.

Question 01
As of 2026, the President appoints which one of the following on the recommendation of a statutory Selection Committee chaired by the Prime Minister, rather than simply on the advice of the Council of Ministers?
1. Option A: The Attorney General for India
2. Option B: The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
3. Option C: The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission
4. Option D: The Chief Election Commissioner
Answer and explanation
Answer: D. The Chief Election Commissioner
**Why D is correct.** Under **Section 7** of the **Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023**, the CEC and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a **Selection Committee chaired by the Prime Minister**. **Why A is incorrect.** The **Attorney General** is appointed under **Article 76** and holds office during the pleasure of the President, again on ministerial advice. **Why B is incorrect.** The **CAG** is appointed by the President under **Article 148** on the advice of the Council of Ministers; no statutory committee is involved. **Why C is incorrect.** The **UPSC Chairman** is appointed under **Article 316** on ministerial advice, without a selection committee.
Question 02
Which one of the following is **NOT** a function of the Union Cabinet?
1. Option A: Exercising control over higher appointments, such as those to constitutional authorities and senior posts in the Secretariat
2. Option B: Advising the President, with advice that is binding on him
3. Option C: Deciding election petitions arising out of elections to Parliament
4. Option D: Formulating the major policies of the Central government
Answer and explanation
Answer: C. Deciding election petitions arising out of elections to Parliament
**Option C is the answer.** **Election petitions** are decided by the **High Courts**, with appeal to the **Supreme Court**, under the **Representation of the People Act, 1951**. An executive body cannot judge disputes about the election of legislators. **Option A is correct as stated.** It **exercises control over higher appointments**, including constitutional authorities and senior administrators. **Option B is correct as stated.** It is an **advisory body to the President**, and under **Article 74(1)** its advice is **binding** on him. **Option D is correct as stated.** The Cabinet is the **chief policy-formulating body** of the Central government.
Question 03
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Statement-I: The Cabinet supervises the implementation of its decisions by the Council of Ministers. Statement-II: Statement-II: The Council of Ministers is a much larger body than the Cabinet, including Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
1. Option A: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Option C: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Option D: Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer and explanation
Answer: B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
**Statement-I is correct.** The Cabinet **takes the decisions** and **supervises their implementation** by the Council of Ministers; in practice it exercises the powers that the Constitution vests in the Council. **Statement-II is correct.** The Council is a **wider body** — typically several times the size of the Cabinet — that includes all three ranks of Ministers. **Does Statement-II explain Statement-I?** No. The relative **size** of the two bodies does not explain the Cabinet's **supervisory role**, which comes from its position as the **nucleus of decision-making** headed by the Prime Minister.
Question 04
With reference to Article 77 of the Constitution, consider the following statements: 1. All executive action of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the President. 2. The validity of an order made in the name of the President and duly authenticated cannot be questioned on the ground that it was not made by the President himself. 3. The rules for the allocation and transaction of the business of the Government of India are framed by the Union Cabinet. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 and 2 only
2. Option B: 2 and 3 only
3. Option C: 1 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** This is **Article 77(1)** — the formal expression of the President's position as **nominal executive**. **Statement 2 is correct.** **Article 77(2)** provides that orders authenticated in the manner laid down in rules made by the President **shall not be called in question** on the ground that they were not made by him personally. **Statement 3 is incorrect.** Under **Article 77(3)** these rules — the **Allocation of Business Rules** and the **Transaction of Business Rules, 1961** — are made **by the President**, acting of course on ministerial advice. The Cabinet does not frame them in its own name.
Question 05
Consider the following: 1. It does not meet, as a body, to transact government business. 2. It is the body made collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha by Article 75(3). 3. It meets, as a rule, once a week to deliberate and take decisions on policy. 4. Its size and the classification of its members are specified in Article 74. How many of the above are features of the Union Council of Ministers (as distinct from the Cabinet)?
1. Option A: Only one
2. Option B: Only two
3. Option C: Only three
4. Option D: All four
Answer and explanation
Answer: B. Only two
**Item 1 — yes.** The Council as a whole has **no collective functions** of its own and **does not meet** as a body. **Item 2 — yes.** **Article 75(3)** fixes collective responsibility on the **Council of Ministers**, not on the Cabinet; the Cabinet **enforces** it. **Item 3 — no.** It is the **Cabinet** that meets **frequently, usually weekly**, to take policy decisions binding on all Ministers. **Item 4 — no.** **Article 74** creates the Council but specifies **neither its size** (the ceiling came only through Article 75(1A) in 2003) **nor its ranks**.

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