Polity Chapters

1. Evolution of Indian Constitution2. Constituent Assembly and Making of the Constitution3. Different Sources of the Indian Constitution4. Important Articles of the Constitution5. Important Amendments of the Constitution6. Some Special features of the Indian Constitution7. Federal and Unitary features of the Indian Union8. The Preamble9. Lapse of Paramountcy10. Integration and Merger of Indian States11. The Union and its Territories12. Reorganization of States13. Citizenship14. Fundamental Rights15. Directive Principles of State Policy16. Fundamental Duties17. Procedure of Amending the Constitution18. Executive of the Union19. The Parliament of India20. President of India21. Vice President22. Prime Minister23. Council of Ministers24. Lok Sabha25. Rajya Sabha26. Vidhan Sabha27. Vidhan Parishad28. Governor29. Chief Minister30. State Council of Ministers31. The Parliament of India32. NITI Aayog33. Executive of the States34. Special Position of J and K35. Panchayats36. Municipalities37. The Supreme Court38. The High Court39. Inter-State Council40. Finance Commission41. Planning Commission42. National Development Council43. National Integration Council44. Inter State Relations45. Emergency Provisions46. Public Service Commissions47. Election48. Delimitation Commission of India49. The Official Languages50. National Symbols51. Glossary of Constitutional Terms

Council of Ministers

“The Council of Ministers aids and advises the President and is responsible for the administration of the government.”

Introduction

The Council of Ministers is the collective body of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. It is responsible for helping the President in the exercise of his functions. The Constitution of India under Articles 74 and 75 provides for the formation and functioning of the Council of Ministers.

Composition of the Council of Ministers

  • Prime Minister: Head of the Council of Ministers.
  • Cabinet Ministers: Senior ministers heading important ministries and departments.
  • Ministers of State (Independent Charge): Ministers who are in charge of ministries but are not part of the Cabinet.
  • Ministers of State: Junior ministers assisting Cabinet ministers.
  • Deputy Ministers: Sometimes appointed to assist Ministers of State (not common now).

Powers and Functions

1. Executive Functions

  • Formulates policies and implements laws.
  • Administers various ministries and departments.
  • Maintains law and order, national security, and foreign relations.

2. Legislative Functions

  • Introduces bills in Parliament.
  • Answers questions and participates in debates.
  • Ensures passage of government legislation.

3. Collective Responsibility

  • The entire Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)).
  • If a vote of no-confidence is passed, the entire Council, including the PM, must resign.

4. Individual Responsibility

  • Each minister is individually responsible for the administration of their department.

Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 74: Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President.
  • Article 75: Appointment, tenure, and responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
  • Article 78: Duties of the Prime Minister regarding the Council of Ministers.

Previous Year Questions

  • UPSC 2018: What is meant by the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers?
  • It means all ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha for their policies and actions.
  • SSC CGL 2020: Who heads the Council of Ministers in India?
  • The Prime Minister.
  • RRB NTPC 2019: Name the different categories of ministers in the Indian Council of Ministers.
  • Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge), Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
  • HSSC 2021: Under which Article is the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers enshrined?
  • Article 75(3).
  • SSC JE 2017: What happens if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence?
  • The entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign.
  • UPSC 2021: Explain the difference between collective responsibility and individual responsibility of ministers.
  • Collective responsibility means the entire Council is accountable to Lok Sabha, whereas individual responsibility means each minister is responsible for their own ministry.
  • SSC GD 2019: Can the President act against the advice of the Council of Ministers?
  • Generally, the President must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in rare cases.
  • HPSC 2022: What is the role of Ministers of State with independent charge?
  • They head ministries but are not part of the Cabinet.
  • RRB Group D 2020: Is the Council of Ministers responsible to the Rajya Sabha?
  • No, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha.
  • SSC MTS 2018: Who can remove the Council of Ministers from power?
  • The Lok Sabha through a vote of no-confidence.
Did You Know? The concept of collective responsibility in India is borrowed from the British parliamentary system.

Conclusion

The Council of Ministers is the backbone of the executive branch in India. It ensures democratic accountability through collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha and drives the administration and policy-making of the government.

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