2022 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I

Question 14: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements :

  1. 1.The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
  2. 2.The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Article 75(1A), added by the 91st Amendment (2003), caps the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, at 15 percent of the Lok Sabha's strength. The Constitution speaks only of ministers; the ranks of Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister come from convention and practice, not from the constitutional text.

  • 1. The four ranks are a matter of convention, not constitutional classification.
  • 2. Article 75(1A) limits the Council of Ministers to 15 percent of Lok Sabha members.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The four ranks are a matter of convention, not constitutional classification.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Article 75(1A) limits the Council of Ministers to 15 percent of Lok Sabha members.

Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.

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. The Constitution does not classify ministers into ranks.
  • (b) Correct. The 15 percent cap is constitutional; the rank system is conventional.
  • (c) Wrong. Statement 1 is false.
  • (d) Wrong. Statement 2 is correct.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.