UPSC Prelims 2013 Q68: Indian Polity – Union & State Executive
Consider the following statements :
1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Council of Ministers and the President
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament | Incorrect | It is responsible to the Lok Sabha only (Article 75(3)) |
| 2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President | Correct | Article 75(2): individual responsibility |
| 3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation | Correct | Article 78: a duty of the Prime Minister |
Duties of the Prime Minister under Article 78:
| Duty | Detail |
|---|---|
| (a) | Communicate all decisions of the Council of Ministers on administration and proposals for legislation |
| (b) | Furnish any information the President asks for |
| (c) | Submit to the Council any matter decided by one Minister, if the President so requires |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Responsibility is to the Lok Sabha, not to Parliament as a whole.
- (b) CORRECT. Ministers hold office during the President's pleasure; the PM informs the President.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; the word 'Parliament' is the trap.
Key point
Article 75(2): Ministers hold office during the President's pleasure. Article 75(3): collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha. Article 78: PM's duty to inform the President.
Remember
Collective responsibility is to the Lok Sabha only.
Common mistakes
- Reading 'Parliament' as correct; the Constitution says 'House of the People'.
- Confusing collective (75(3)) and individual (75(2)) responsibility.
- Forgetting Article 78, on the Prime Minister's duty to inform the President.
Exam tip
Lok Sabha, not Parliament. UPSC swaps these two words often.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 75 and 78
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapters on Prime Minister and Central Council of Ministers