UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 68: Polity and Governance
Consider the following statements :
- 1.The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
- 2.The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
- 3.The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Article 75(3) makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, the House of the People, and not to Parliament as a whole, so statement 1 is wrong. Article 75(2) says ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, and Article 78 requires the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council relating to administration and proposals for legislation. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
- 1. The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, not Parliament.
- 2. Article 75(2): ministers hold office during the President's pleasure.
- 3. Article 78: the Prime Minister communicates proposals for legislation to the President.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, not Parliament.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.
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) Wrong. Statement 1 is false because responsibility is to the Lok Sabha.
- (b) Correct. Statements 2 and 3 follow Articles 75(2) and 78.
- (c) Wrong. Statement 1 is false.
- (d) Wrong. Statement 1 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.