Master10 Proprietary Question Bank - Automated scraping, spidering, or harvesting is strictly prohibited.
India Cluster857 Verified Questions
Prime Minister & Union Council of Ministers GK Questions & Answers
The Prime Minister of India functions as the real executive authority (de facto executive), heading the Union Council of Ministers, while the President serves as the titular constitutional head (de jure executive). Under Article 74(1) of the Constitution of India, as amended by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976 and the 44th Amendment Act 1978, a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister aids and advises the President, who must act in accordance with such advice after returning it once for reconsideration if desired. Article 75 stipulates that the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, with other ministers appointed on prime ministerial advice. Article 75(3) enshrines collective responsibility, mandating that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003 capped the total ministerial strength, including the Prime Minister, at fifteen percent of the total membership of the Lok Sabha. Under Article 78, the Prime Minister acts as the principal communication link between the Council of Ministers and the President regarding national administration and legislative proposals. The Prime Minister chairs bodies including NITI Aayog, the Nuclear Command Authority, and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Article 74(1) establishes that the President acts in accordance with advice tendered by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act 1978 permits the President to return ministerial advice once for reconsideration, after which the tendered advice is binding.
Under Article 75(1), the Prime Minister is appointed directly by the President, while other ministers are appointed on the Prime Minister's formal advice.
Article 75(2) provides that ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, though removal occurs exclusively upon the Prime Minister's recommendation.
Article 75(3) establishes collective responsibility, meaning the entire Council of Ministers falls if a no-confidence motion is passed in the Lok Sabha.
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003 limits the size of the Union Council of Ministers to a maximum of 15% of the total Lok Sabha strength.
Under Article 75(5), a non-member of Parliament appointed as minister must secure membership in either House within six consecutive months or vacate office.
Article 78 mandates the Prime Minister to communicate all cabinet decisions on Union administration and legislative proposals to the President.
Under Article 78(c), the President can require submission to the Council of Ministers of any matter decided by an individual minister without prior cabinet review.
The Prime Minister chairs the Cabinet Secretariat, which functions under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961.
Standing cabinet committees, including the Appointments Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), are constituted and chaired by the Prime Minister.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and major infrastructure investments under prime ministerial chairmanship.
The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog, the Inter-State Council under Article 263, and the National Development Council.
The Prime Minister leads the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) Political Council, which possesses sole authorization over India's nuclear arsenal deployment.
If the Prime Minister resigns or dies in office, the entire Council of Ministers automatically dissolves without requiring individual resignations.
Which stalwart of Indian politics and 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India was conferred the Bharat Ratna in February 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu?
Verified Explanation
L. K. Advani served as Deputy Prime Minister (2002–2004) and Union Home Minister, honoured with the Bharat Ratna for his lifelong dedication to parliamentary democracy and national development.
At which major international conference did the Prime Minister of India unveil the '10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction' outlining institutional integration and women leadership in DRR?
Verified Explanation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the 10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction during his inaugural address at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) held in New Delhi in November 2016.
3ID: GK-INDM-00596
easyFirst in India (Female)
Who was the first woman Prime Minister of India, assuming office in January 1966?
Verified Explanation
Indira Gandhi became India's first female Prime Minister on 24 January 1966 following the demise of Lal Bahadur Shastri, serving from 1966–1977 and 1980–1984.
4ID: GK-POL-00501
mediumUnion Executive & Parliament
What is the maximum strength of the Council of Ministers including the Prime Minister in the Union Government as capped by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003?
Verified Explanation
The 91st Amendment Act, 2003 inserted Article 75(1A), stipulating that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
5ID: GK-POL-00749
hardConstitutional & Statutory Bodies of India
Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and which other member?
Verified Explanation
Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, provides that the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: (i) the Prime Minister (Chairperson), (ii) the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and (iii) a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
6ID: GK-POL-00750
hardConstitutional & Statutory Bodies of India
Under Section 4 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, the selection committee for recommending the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner comprises the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and which member?
Verified Explanation
Section 4(1) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, prescribes that the Central Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: (a) the Prime Minister (Chairperson), (b) the Minister of Home Affairs (Member), and (c) the Leader of Opposition in the House of the People (Member).
7ID: GK-POL-00784
easyUnion Executive & The Parliament of India
Under Article 75(1A) inserted by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, what is the maximum ceiling on the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers?
Verified Explanation
Article 75(1A), introduced by the 91st Amendment Act 2003, stipulates that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
8ID: GK-POL-01045
mediumConstitutional & Statutory Bodies of India
Under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, on which matters is the Lokpal barred from inquiring into allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister?
Verified Explanation
Under Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal possesses jurisdiction over the Prime Minister, except regarding allegations relating to international relations, external/internal security, public order, atomic energy, and space. Any inquiry against the PM requires a two-thirds majority of the full bench in-camera.
9ID: GK-BANK-00093
hardHistory of Indian Banking & Nationalisation
Who is the only personality in Indian history to have served as both the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and later as the Prime Minister of India?
Verified Explanation
Dr. Manmohan Singh served as the 15th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985, Union Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, and later as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.
10ID: GK-PUBS-00087
mediumWings of Fire, Discovery of India & Famous Biographies
'The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh' (2014), an insider account of the UPA-1 government, was authored by:
Verified Explanation
Sanjaya Baru, who served as media adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008, authored 'The Accidental Prime Minister'.
Search across all 857 Prime Minister & Union Council of Ministers: Powers & Governance questions or browse 51,557+ verified questions across 65 domains.