All questions of Central Council of Ministers for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

The correct answer is option 'D': All of them.

The cabinet plays multiple roles in the functioning of the government. Let's discuss each role in detail:

1. Chief Policy Formulating Body of the Central Government:
The cabinet is responsible for formulating and implementing policies that guide the functioning of the central government. It is the highest decision-making body where policies are discussed, debated, and approved. The cabinet members, who are senior ministers, provide inputs, suggestions, and recommendations on various policy matters. They also analyze the potential impact of policies on different sectors and sections of society. Once a policy is finalized, it is implemented through various government departments and agencies.

2. Dealing with Major Legislative Matters:
The cabinet plays a crucial role in the legislative process. It is responsible for proposing and introducing major bills and legislations in the parliament. Cabinet members, who are also members of parliament, take part in the legislative debates, discussions, and voting. They present the government's perspective on various bills and work towards their passage. The cabinet also reviews and approves the draft bills prepared by different ministries before they are presented in the parliament.

3. Handling Foreign Policies and Foreign Affairs:
The cabinet is responsible for formulating and implementing foreign policies of the country. It deals with matters related to international relations, diplomacy, and foreign affairs. Cabinet members, including the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Affairs, represent the country in international forums, negotiations, and summits. They engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries to promote the country's interests, maintain peace and security, and enhance economic cooperation. The cabinet also takes decisions on matters like signing international treaties, agreements, and conventions.

In summary, the cabinet plays a pivotal role in policy formulation, legislative matters, and foreign affairs. It serves as the chief decision-making body of the central government, ensuring effective governance and representing the country's interests at the national and international levels.

The government may resign only if it fails to pass the budget in the Parliament. Failure in passing regular public bills is not considered a defeat of the government. The passing of a no-confidence motion does. Prime Minister can be a member of any house. It is not a convention that he must be from the lower house; neither has it been codified. Statement 3 is more of a political tool rather than a codified convention.

Before a Minister enters upon his office, the president administers to him the oaths of office and secrecy. In his oath of office, the minister swears: 1. to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, 2. to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, 3. to faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of his office, and 4. to do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

Explanation:

The statement is about the post of Parliamentary Secretary in Indian states, and the options describe the role of such a Secretary. Let's examine each option:

Option 1: Generally a Civil Servant/bureaucrat holding an 'Office of Profit'

- This option is not entirely accurate. A Parliamentary Secretary may or may not be a civil servant or a bureaucrat. In fact, in some states, the post is exclusively reserved for MLAs or MPs who are not part of the Cabinet.
- However, the term 'Office of Profit' is relevant here. If a Parliamentary Secretary receives any remuneration or perks for their role, it may be considered an 'Office of Profit' and may result in disqualification from their elected position.

Option 2: Assigned charge of an entire government department only in the absence of Cabinet Ministers

- This option is also not entirely accurate. The role of a Parliamentary Secretary can vary depending on the state and the government's policies.
- In some states, a Parliamentary Secretary may be assigned specific responsibilities related to a particular department or portfolio. They may assist the Cabinet Minister in charge of that department and perform tasks such as drafting policies, liaising with stakeholders, and monitoring progress.
- In other states, a Parliamentary Secretary may not have any specific responsibilities but may assist the Chief Minister or other senior leaders in various tasks such as conducting surveys, gathering feedback, or attending public events.

Therefore, neither option 1 nor option 2 provides a complete or accurate description of the role of a Parliamentary Secretary. The correct answer is option D, None.

Central Council of Ministers consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers. At times, the council of ministers may also include a deputy prime minister. The deputy prime ministers are appointed mostly for political reasons.

Understanding the Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is a pivotal component of the executive branch in India, responsible for the administration and governance of the country. Let's analyze the statements provided.
Statement Analysis
- Statement 1: It is a smaller body consisting of 15 to 20 ministers.
- This statement is incorrect. In India, the Council of Ministers can consist of more than 20 ministers, depending on the size of the government. There is no fixed upper limit of 20 ministers, making this statement misleading.
- Statement 2: It includes all three categories of ministers: cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.
- This statement is correct. The Council of Ministers indeed comprises all three categories of ministers. Cabinet ministers hold significant portfolios, while ministers of state may hold independent charge or assist cabinet ministers. Deputy ministers typically assist cabinet or state ministers.
Conclusion
Given the analysis, only the first statement is incorrect, which means the correct answer is option 'A'.
- Option A: Only 1 is incorrect.
This highlights the importance of understanding the structure and composition of the Council of Ministers in the context of Indian governance, especially for competitive examinations like UPSC.

• This convention before 2003 led to widespread abuse of the system.
• It led to the considerable size of the Council of Ministers. Besides, when no party had a clear majority, there was a temptation to win over the support of the Parliament members by giving them ministerial positions as there was no restriction on the number of the members of the Council of Ministers.

The Central Cabinet is an important part of the executive branch of the Indian government. It consists of the Prime Minister, who is the head of the government, and other ministers who are responsible for various departments and ministries. The Central Cabinet plays a crucial role in the decision-making process and governance of the country.

The correct answer to the question is option 'D' - 1 only. This means that the Central Cabinet includes only the Prime Minister and does not include the Minister of State with Independent charge or the Cabinet Secretary.

Explanation:

1. Prime Minister:
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the leader of the ruling political party or coalition. They are appointed by the President of India and are responsible for the overall governance of the country. The Prime Minister is the most powerful executive authority in the country and is responsible for leading and coordinating the work of the Central Cabinet.

2. Minister of State with Independent charge:
A Minister of State with Independent charge is a minister who is responsible for a specific department or ministry and does not report to any other minister. They have the authority to make decisions and implement policies related to their respective ministries. However, it is important to note that the Central Cabinet does not necessarily include all Ministers of State with Independent charge.

3. Cabinet Secretary:
The Cabinet Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the country and acts as the administrative head of the government. They are responsible for coordinating the work of the various ministries and implementing the decisions taken by the Central Cabinet. While the Cabinet Secretary is an important position in the government, they are not a member of the Central Cabinet.

In conclusion, the correct answer to the question is option 'D' - 1 only. The Central Cabinet includes only the Prime Minister and does not include the Minister of State with Independent charge or the Cabinet Secretary.