UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 59: Polity and Governance
In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
- 1.Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
- 2.Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
- 3.Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
In a parliamentary system, ministers are drawn from the legislature and stay in office only as long as they enjoy its confidence; the Cabinet is collectively responsible to the lower House. So statements 1 and 2 hold. The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, the head of government, and not by the head of state, the President.
- 1. Cabinet ministers are members of the legislature.
- 2. Ministers stay only while they have the confidence of the House.
- 3. The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, not the President.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, not the President.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct. Ministers are members of Parliament and need its confidence.
- (b) Wrong. The Cabinet is not headed by the head of state.
- (c) Wrong. Statement 3 is false.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 3 is false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.