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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: SSC CGL · 18 Jul 2023, Shift 3

The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall NOT exceed __________ of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.

  1. A.twenty percent
  2. B.ten percent
  3. C.fifteen percent
  4. D.twenty five percent

Correct answer

C. fifteen percent

Explanation

The correct answer is C, fifteen percent. Article 164(1A) lays down that the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State's Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of that State's Legislative Assembly, and the same clause fixes a floor of twelve Ministers so that small States are not left with a skeleton cabinet. The clause was inserted by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003, which put the same fifteen per cent ceiling on the Union Council of Ministers through Article 75(1A), counted on the strength of the Lok Sabha; the amendment also tightened the anti-defection law. Option A is wrong because twenty per cent appears in none of these clauses. Option B is wrong because ten per cent is lower than the limit Article 164 sets. Option D is wrong because twenty-five per cent has never been the ceiling. Exam tip: 91st Amendment, 2003 — a fifteen per cent cap on both the Union and State Councils of Ministers, with a floor of twelve in a State.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKEasy

The right to form associations and unions is a right

  1. A.guaranteed to everybody
  2. B.to freedom guaranteed to citizens only
  3. C.to equality before law
  4. D.to life and personal liberty
Show answer
Correct answer: B. to freedom guaranteed to citizens only

The right to form associations or unions is part of Article 19, and Article 19 rights belong only to citizens of India.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is not correct?

  1. A.The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
  2. B.All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.
  3. C.The Commission, while investigating any matter, has all the powers of a Civil Court.
  4. D.The Commission has the power to regulate its own procedures.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.

It is not correct, because the President causes the Commission's reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, not only before the Lok Sabha.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKHard

Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.3 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 4
  3. C.1, 2 and 3
  4. D.4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 3 only

Statement 3 is the only incorrect one, because laws on the delimitation of constituencies are made by Parliament, not by the Election Commission.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?

  1. A.It was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
  2. B.The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.
  3. C.The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review of an Act included in the Ninth Schedule on the doctrine of basic structure.
  4. D.The appropriate Legislature can repeal or amend an Act specified in the Ninth Schedule.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.

It is not correct, because Article 31B says the opposite: an Act placed in the Ninth Schedule shall not become void merely because it is inconsistent with a fundamental right in Part III.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKEasy

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which of the following States?

  1. A.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
  2. B.Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram
  3. C.Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
  4. D.Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram

The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in exactly these four north-eastern states.