Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumUnion Executive: President, Vice-President, PM, and Council of Ministers

Regarding the constitutional provisions governing the Union Council of Ministers under Article 75 of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. A
    The Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament as a whole.
  2. The salaries and allowances of Union Ministers are determined from time to time by Parliament by law.Answer
  3. A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister, but ceases to be one if not elected within six consecutive months.Answer
  4. The President administers the oaths of office and secrecy to a Minister before the Minister enters upon their office.Answer

Answer

The correct statements are that the salaries and allowances of Ministers are determined by Parliament by law, a non-member appointed as a Minister must secure a seat in either House within six consecutive months, and the President administers the oaths of office and secrecy before a Minister assumes office.
The statements confirming parliamentary determination of salaries, the six-month membership window for non-parliamentarian ministers, and presidential administration of oaths accurately reflect Articles 75(6), 75(5), and 75(4) of the Indian Constitution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the statement regarding collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
Article 75(3) mandates that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha), not Parliament as a whole.
Collective responsibility is owed specifically to the popularly elected lower house to maintain executive accountability.
2
Evaluate the statement regarding ministerial salaries and allowances.
Article 75(6) empowers Parliament to determine ministerial salaries and allowances by law.
Parliament holds financial authority over executive emoluments.
3
Evaluate the statement regarding non-parliamentarians joining the Council of Ministers.
Article 75(5) permits a non-member to be appointed as a Minister, provided they become a member of either House of Parliament within six consecutive months.
This allows technical experts or leaders to join the Cabinet while maintaining democratic parliamentary tenure requirements.
4
Evaluate the statement regarding administration of oaths.
Article 75(4) requires the President to administer the oaths of office and secrecy according to the Third Schedule.
The President is the executive head of the Union who formalizes ministerial appointments.

Key Concept

Constitutional Provisions of Article 75 and Executive Accountability
Rate this question

Topics

Union Executive: President, Vice-President, PM, and Council of Ministers

More questions from this topic