UPSC Prelims 2007 · General Studies
Question 51: Polity and Governance
Which of the Constitution Amendment Acts seeks that the size of the Council of Ministers at the Centre and in a State must not exceed 15 percent of the total number in the Lok Sabha and the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State, respectively?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
The 91st Amendment Act, 2003 capped the Council of Ministers, at the Centre and in a State, at 15 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha or the State Assembly (Articles 75(1A) and 164(1A)). It also fixed a minimum of 12 ministers in a State and barred defectors from holding ministerial office. The 93rd dealt with reservation in educational institutions, the 95th with extending SC/ST seat reservation, and the 97th with cooperative societies.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: the 91st Amendment capped ministers at 15 per cent.
- (b) The 93rd Amendment concerned reservation in educational institutions.
- (c) The 95th Amendment extended reservation of seats for SC/ST.
- (d) The 97th Amendment concerned cooperative societies.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2007, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.