Consider the following statements:The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2022 UPSC Prelims Indian Polity & Governance paper.

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Question

Consider the following statements:The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — 2 onlyStep-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Constitution classifies ministers into four ranks: This is incorrect. The Constitution of India does NOT classify ministers into any ranks. Article 74 simply provides for a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. The classification of the central Council of Ministers into ranks (Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State with Independent Charge, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers) is based on British parliamentary conventions and administrative practice — not on any constitutional provision. ✗Statement 2 — Total ministers cannot exceed 15% of Lok Sabha membership: This is correct. The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003 inserted Article 75(1A), which states that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. With 543 elected members in Lok Sabha, this means a maximum of approximately 81 ministers (including PM). This provision was added to prevent the practice of forming oversized cabinets to manage coalition governments. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Option A (1 only): Incorrect because statement 1 is wrong.Option C (Both 1 and 2): Incorrect because statement 1 is wrong.Option D (Neither 1 nor 2): Incorrect because statement 2 is correct.Key Concept: 91st Constitutional Amendment Act 2003 (anti-defection and cabinet size): (1) Added Article 75(1A) — capped Union Council of Ministers at 15% of Lok Sabha members. (2) Added Article 164(1A) — capped State Council of Ministers at 15% of State Legislative Assembly members (minimum 12 ministers). (3) Added Article 75(1B) and 164(1B) — a member disqualified under the 10th Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) cannot be appointed as a minister. The same amendment also abolished the provision for exemption of mergers of parties from anti-defection law, retaining only the two-thirds threshold.

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