1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 69: Polity and Governance
Which one of the following statements is correct? The Prime Minister of India
ais free to choose his ministers only from among those who are members of either House of the Parliament
bcan choose his cabinet colleagues after due counselling by the President of India in this regard
chas full discretion in the choice of persons who are to serve as ministers in his cabinet
dhas only limited powers in the choice of his cabinet colleagues because of the discretionary power vested with the President of India
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Under Article 75(1), the President appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister, who therefore has full say in whom he picks. He is not limited to MPs: a non-member can be a minister for up to six months (Article 75(5)), by which time he must win a seat in either House. The President cannot impose names. Remember: the PM chooses and the President formally appoints.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) A non-member can be appointed for up to six months, so the choice is not limited to MPs.
- (b) The President acts on the PM's advice and does not counsel him on the choice.
- (c) Right: the PM has full discretion in choosing ministers.
- (d) The President has no discretionary power in choosing ministers; he acts on the PM's advice.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.