Which Constitutional Amendment fixed the size of a State Council of Ministers at not more than 15 per cent of the strength of the Legislative Assembly?
- A.The 42nd Amendment, 1976
- B.The 73rd Amendment, 1992
- C.The 91st Amendment, 2003
- D.The 97th Amendment, 2011
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, the 91st Amendment, 2003. It inserted Article 164(1A), under which the total number of Ministers in a State, including the Chief Minister, shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly, subject to a floor of twelve Ministers. The same amendment placed a similar cap on the Union Council of Ministers through Article 75(1A) and tightened the anti-defection law. Option A, the 42nd Amendment of 1976, made the ministerial advice binding on the President and added words to the Preamble, but set no such ceiling. Option B, the 73rd Amendment of 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. Option D, the 97th Amendment of 2011, dealt with cooperative societies. The purpose of the fifteen per cent rule was to stop oversized ministries built to keep legislators loyal.
Read the full article: Governor and the State Executive: Articles and Powers
Practice Questions
View allWhich of the following states has the Legislative Council?
- A.Jharkhand
- B.Karnataka
- C.Odisha
- D.Gujarat
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Article 168 says a State legislature consists of the Governor and either one House or two Houses. Where there are two, the upper House is the Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad, and Karnataka is one of the few States that has kept it.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following States have a bicameral legislature? 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Telangana 3. Bihar 4. Uttar Pradesh. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1, 2 and 3 only
- C.3 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
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A bicameral State legislature has a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council, and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh each have both Houses.
Read the full explanation →Under which Article of the Constitution is the Governor of a State appointed by the President?
- A.Article 153
- B.Article 154
- C.Article 155
- D.Article 156
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It provides that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Read the full explanation →What is the minimum age prescribed by Article 157 for appointment as the Governor of a State?
- A.25 years
- B.30 years
- C.35 years
- D.40 years
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Article 157 lays down only two qualifications for the office: the person must be a citizen of India and must have completed thirty-five years of age.
Read the full explanation →Who administers the oath of office to the Governor of a State?
- A.The President of India
- B.The Chief Justice of India
- C.The Chief Justice of the High Court of that State
- D.The Chief Minister of that State
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Article 159 says the oath of office is administered by the Chief Justice of the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to the State, and in his absence by the senior-most judge of that Court available.
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