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Consider the following statements with respect to duties of the Prime Minister according to the Constitution of India:
1. To make rules for the more convenient transaction of business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
2. If the President so requires, to submit for consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    Only 1
  • b)
    Neither 1 nor 2
  • c)
    1 and 2
  • d)
    Only 2 
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nilesh Malik answered
Duties of the Prime Minister according to the Constitution of India:

1. Allocation of business:
- To make rules for the more convenient transaction of business of the Government of India.
- To allocate among Ministers the said business.

2. Submission of matters:
- If the President so requires, to submit for consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.

Therefore, statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incomplete and incorrect as it does not mention the allocation of business among Ministers. Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Consider the following statements about cabinet committees. 
1. Prime Minister is the chairman of all the cabinet committees 
2. They only include cabinet ministers 
Which of these statements are not correct?
  • a)
    Only 1
  • b)
    2 Only 
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Devanshi Gupta answered
The correct option is 3. Both 1 and 2.

Explanation:

1. The Prime Minister is not the chairman of all the cabinet committees. There are several cabinet committees, and while the Prime Minister is the head of many, there are others that are headed by other senior ministers.

2. Cabinet committees do not only include cabinet ministers. They may also include Ministers of State (independent charge) or even Ministers of State. The members of these committees are decided by the Prime Minister.

Which of the following is/are the eligibility criteria for the prime minister's office?
1. He should not have been a former President of India.
2. the people of India should have directly elected him.
3. He should be the leader of a political party.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    3 only
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Article 75 says only that the president shall appoint the Prime Minister. The President has to appoint the leader of the majority party as the Prime Minister. Though he/she is not a member of parliament at the time of appointment, he/she has to acquire parliament membership within six months. This means one has to be eligible to be a Lok Sabha member or Rajya Sabha to be a Prime Minister.

Consider the following statements about Cabinet Committees:
1. They are not mentioned in the Constitution.
2. They are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation.
3. The Cabinet cannot review the decisions taken by Cabinet Committees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 3 only
  • b)
    1 and 2 only
  • c)
    2 and 3 only
  • d)
    1 only
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Arun Khatri answered
The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
Important Points
CABINET COMMITTEES
The following are the features of Cabinet Committees:
  • They are extra-constitutional in emergence. In other words, they are not mentioned in the ConstitutionHence, statement 1 is correct.
    • However, the Rules of Business provide for their establishment.
  • They are of two types–standing and ad hoc.
    • The former is of a permanent nature while the latter is of a temporary nature.
    • The ad hoc committees are constituted from time to time to deal with special problems. They are disbanded after their task is completed.
They are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Hence, their number, nomenclature, and composition vary from time to time.
  • Their membership varies from three to eight.
    • They usually include only Cabinet Ministers.
    • However, the non-cabinet Ministers are not debarred from their membership.
    • They not only include the Ministers in charge of subjects covered by them but also include other senior Ministers
  • They are mostly headed by the Prime Minister. Some times other Cabinet Ministers, particularly the Home Minister or the Finance Minister, also acts as their Chairman.
    • But, in case the Prime Minister is a member of a committee, he invariably presides over it.
  • They not only sort out issues and formulate proposals for the consideration of the Cabinet but also take decisions.
    • However, the Cabinet can review their decisionsHence, statement 3 is NOT correct.
  • They are an organisational device to reduce the enormous workload of the Cabinet.
  • They also facilitate in-depth examination of policy issues and effective coordination.
  • They are based on the principles of division of labour and effective delegation. 

In his oath of secrecy, the Prime Minister swears that
1. All government proceedings will be kept secret.
2. No matter handled by the Prime Minister's Office will be disclosed to other ministries.
Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
The Prime Minister swears that he will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under his consideration or shall become known to him as prime minister for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of his duties as such Minister.
This does not imply that all government proceedings will be secret or the Prime Minister's office will work in confidentiality. So, both statements are incorrect.

Which-of the following statements is correct?
  • a)
    The Constitution requires that a person prove his majority in the Lok Sabha before being appointed as the Prime Minister. 
  • b)
    The President may first appoint him the Prime Minister and then ask him to prove his majority in the Lok Sabha within a reasonable period.
  • c)
    The Leader of the Winning coalition/party first ensures majority in both Parliament houses by a motion and voting and then sends an appointment request to the President.
  • d)
    The Prime Minister does not need to prove his majority on the house floor; written proof of support from the required number of MPs is sufficient.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

In 1980, the Delhi High Court held that the Constitution does not require that a person prove his majority in the Lok Sabha before being appointed as the Prime Minister.
The President may first appoint him the Prime Minister and then ask him to prove his majority in the Lok Sabha within a reasonable period.
For example, Charan Singh (in 1979), and after in a series, V.P. Singh (1989), Chandrasekhar (1990), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991), A.B. Vajpayee (1996), Deve Gowda (1996), I.K. Gujral (1997) and again A.B. Vajpayee (1998).

Consider the following statements about the Prime Minister of India:
1. His decisions are final in case disagreements arise between Departments.
2. He also has the power to dismiss ministers.
3. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below:
  • a)
    All of the above
  • b)
    1 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 2 only
  • d)
    2 and 3 only
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The Constitution does not say very much about the powers of the Prime Minister or the ministers or their relationship with each other. But as head of the government, the Prime Minister has wide-ranging powers.
1. He chairs Cabinet meetings. He coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are final in case of disagreements arising between Departments. He exercises general supervision of different ministries.
2. All ministers work under his leadership. The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. He also has the power to dismiss ministers.
3. If the cabinet is the most powerful, inside it the PM is the most powerful.

The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for the prime minister's selection and appointment. This means that
1. The Constitution does not mention the appointing authority for the office of Prime Minister.
2. The President is free to change the selection and appointment procedure of Prime Minister by rules issued in India's Gazette.
Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Ojasvi Mehta answered
  • Article 75 says only that the president shall appoint the Prime Minister. However, this does not imply that the president is free to appoint anyone as the Prime Minister.
  • Following the conventions of the parliamentary system of government, the President has to appoint the majority party leader in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.
  • But, when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, then the President may exercise his personal discretion in the prime minister's selection and appointment.

Consider the following statements about the powers of the Prime Minister.
1. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister can bring about the collapse of the ministers' council by resigning from office.
3. The Council of Ministers cannot function when the Prime Minister resigns.
Choose the correct answer from the codes below.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'D', which means all of the above statements are correct. Let's discuss each statement in detail.

Statement 1:
The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.

This statement is correct. According to the Constitution of India, the President appoints the Prime Minister, who in turn recommends the names of other ministers to be appointed. The President does not have the power to appoint ministers without the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Statement 2:
The Prime Minister can bring about the collapse of the ministers' council by resigning from office.

This statement is also correct. In the parliamentary system of government, the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers. If the Prime Minister resigns from office, it leads to the collapse of the ministers' council as the Prime Minister is the leader of the government. The resignation of the Prime Minister generally results in the fall of the government or the dissolution of the Parliament.

Statement 3:
The Council of Ministers cannot function when the Prime Minister resigns.

This statement is correct as well. The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister, and the functioning of the council depends on the leadership and coordination provided by the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister resigns, the council loses its leader and the ability to function effectively. The resignation of the Prime Minister creates a power vacuum and often leads to the dissolution of the council.

Conclusion:
Based on the above explanations, all three statements about the powers of the Prime Minister are correct. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister can bring about the collapse of the ministers' council by resigning from office. And the Council of Ministers cannot function when the Prime Minister resigns. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D' - All of the above.

The President can dismiss a Cabinet Minister, who is also an MP, with
  • a)
    Consent from the Speaker
  • b)
    The recommendation of the Prime Minister
  • c)
    A show cause notice issued lo the Judiciary
  • d)
    The application of Doctrine of Pleasure of the President
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Ojasvi Mehta answered
All of the executive authorities vested in the President are, in practice, exercised by the Prime Minister with the help of the Council of Ministers.
So, to dismiss a minister, including cabinet ministers, the President requires the prime minister's consent.
Without the Prime Minister's advice, it would be unconstitutional to remove a minister.

Consider the following statements.
1. The term of the Prime Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the president
2. This does not mean that the president can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time
3. So long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support in the Lok Sabha, he cannot be dismissed by the President
4. If he loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign or the President can dismiss him
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1, 2 and 3 Only
  • b)
    1, 3 and 4 only
  • c)
    1 and 4 only
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The term of the Prime Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the president. However, this does not mean that the president can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time. So long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support in the Lok Sabha, he cannot be dismissed by the President.
However, if he loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign or the President can dismiss him.

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
The President is the nominal executive authority (de jure executive) and Prime Minister is the real executive authority (de facto executive).
Statement-II:
The President has the authority to appoint the Prime Minister based on the conventions of the parliamentary system of government.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
  • a)
    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • b)
    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • c)
    Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • d)
    Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?


Statement-I correctly defines the roles of the President and Prime Minister in the government structure. The President holds a symbolic position while the Prime Minister wields actual executive power.
Statement-II accurately mentions that the President appoints the Prime Minister following the parliamentary system's conventions. However, it does not elaborate on the distinct roles of the President and Prime Minister as highlighted in Statement-I. Hence, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

As per the constitution, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to
1. Communicate to the President all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration of the Union's affairs and proposals for legislation.
2. Submit for the consideration of the council of ministers any matter on which a minister has taken a decision but which has not been considered by the council, if required by the President.
Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
  • These are the provisions as per Article 78 constitution.
  • It also requires the Prime Minister to furnish such information relating to the administration of the Union's affairs and proposals for legislation as the President may call for.
  • This article is one of the most important ones in the constitution delineating the relationship between Prime Minister and President.
  • On the other hand, the legislature can pass no-confidence motion to remove the council of Ministers from office.
  • Speaker, Lok Sabha only is authorised to do so.

The Prime Minister enjoys which of the following powers and responsibilities concerning the Parliament?
1. He advises the President concerning summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the Parliament.
2. He can recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time.
3. He announces government policies on the floor of the House.
Select the correct answer using the codes below,
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 and 3 only
  • d)
    1,2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Meera Singh answered
  • The President cannot arbitrarily summon or prorogue the house's proceedings, but based on the prime minister's advice. However, he is not bound to accept the prime minister's advice when he is seeking a vote of confidence.
  • When he recommends dissolution, he should not have been subject to a prior vote of confidence.
  • The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lower House. In this capacity, he enjoys these powers.

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