UPSC Prelims 2009 Q85: Indian Polity – Union & State Executive
With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements :
1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily the sitting
members of Lok Sabha only.
2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary
Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Checking two claims about the Union Government's structure
These statements examine Cabinet composition rules and Cabinet Secretariat administration, both commonly misstated.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. All Cabinet Ministers must be sitting Lok Sabha members only | Incorrect | Ministers can be drawn from either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha), not Lok Sabha exclusively |
| 2. Cabinet Secretariat operates under the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs | Incorrect | The Cabinet Secretariat actually operates directly under the Prime Minister, not the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs |
Correcting both claims:
| Point | Correct detail |
|---|---|
| Ministers' House membership | Can be from either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha |
| Cabinet Secretariat | Operates directly under the Prime Minister |
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Ministers can be from either House, not just Lok Sabha, so statement 1 is false.
- (b) Incorrect. The Cabinet Secretariat operates under the PM, not the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, so statement 2 is false.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements are factually wrong, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Both the Lok Sabha-only claim and the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry claim are inaccurate.
Key point
Cabinet Ministers can come from EITHER House of Parliament (not Lok Sabha only), and the Cabinet Secretariat operates directly under the PRIME MINISTER, not the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Remember
Cabinet Ministers can be from either House of Parliament; the Cabinet Secretariat operates directly under the Prime Minister.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all Cabinet Ministers must be Lok Sabha members, missing that Rajya Sabha members can also serve.
- Misattributing the Cabinet Secretariat's administration to an unrelated ministry.
- Not knowing the Cabinet Secretariat's direct link to the Prime Minister.
Exam tip
Ministers can be from Lok Sabha OR Rajya Sabha. Cabinet Secretariat = directly under the PM, not the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 75 (Council of Ministers)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (Central Council of Ministers)