What can be the minimum strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State?
- A.10
- B.12
- C.13
- D.14
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, twelve. Article 164(1A), inserted by the Ninety-first Amendment Act of 2003, provides that the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers of a State shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly, and that the number shall not be less than twelve. The same amendment caps the Union Council of Ministers at fifteen per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha but prescribes no floor for it. Options A, C and D are wrong because ten, thirteen and fourteen are not the figure written into Article 164(1A); twelve is the floor, so a small State with a very small Assembly may still have twelve Ministers. Candidates should also remember that these Ministers take the oath of office and secrecy before the Governor under Article 164(3).
Read the full article: Constitutional Posts: Oath, Resignation and Removal
Practice Questions
View allWhich Article of the Indian Constitution is related to the term of office of the Governor?
- A.156
- B.161
- C.165
- D.152
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Article 156 deals with the term of office of the Governor: clause (1) says that the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President, clause (2) allows him to resign by writing addressed to the President, and clause (3) fixes his normal term at five years from the date…
Read the full explanation →The President of India addresses his resignation to which of the following?
- A.Chief Justice of India
- B.Vice-President of India
- C.Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- D.Prime Minister of India
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Article 56(1)(a) provides that the President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice-President, resign his office, and the Vice-President must communicate the resignation forthwith to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Read the full explanation →Who administers the oath of office to the President of India?
- A.Vice-President of India
- B.Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C.Chief Justice of India
- D.Outgoing President
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Article 60 lays down the form of the President's oath and requires that it be made in the presence of the Chief Justice of India, or, in his absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court available.
Read the full explanation →The oath of office to the Governor of a State is administered by which of the following?
- A.President of India
- B.Chief Justice of India
- C.Chief Justice of the High Court of that State
- D.Chief Minister of the State
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Article 159 requires every Governor, before entering upon his office, to make an oath in the presence of the Chief Justice of the High Court having jurisdiction in relation to that State, or, in his absence, the senior-most judge of that court available.
Read the full explanation →Under which Article of the Constitution is the procedure for the impeachment of the President of India laid down?
- A.Article 56
- B.Article 61
- C.Article 62
- D.Article 71
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Article 61 lays down the procedure for impeaching the President for violation of the Constitution: the charge must be preferred by either House after at least fourteen days' notice signed by not less than one-fourth of the members of that House, and must be passed by not less than two-thirds…
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