2017 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 99: Polity and Governance

Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government :

aAn arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.
bA mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.
cA mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
dA device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The principle behind the cabinet form of government is collective responsibility: the Council of Ministers acts as a team, sinks or swims together, and is jointly answerable to the legislature, and through it to the people. It is a mechanism of parliamentary democracy, not a device to blunt criticism, to speed up work or to strengthen a weak leader. Remember: collective responsibility is the keystone of the parliamentary cabinet system.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: the cabinet system exists for accountability, not to reduce criticism.
  • (b) Wrong: speed is not its underlying principle.
  • (c) Right: it ensures the government's collective responsibility to the people.
  • (d) Wrong: it does not exist to strengthen a declining leader.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.