ICSE Solutions and Questions Answers for The Prime Minister and The Council of Minister Class 10 Civics
We are going to learn the ICSE Solutions of third chapter of the Civics textbook of Class 10. The name of the chapter is The Prime Minister and The Council of Minister. All types of questions including very short answer type, short answer type, structured questions and questions based on picture perception has been provided. This ICSE solutions for The Prime Minister and The Council of Minister will help the students in learning the chapter outcome.
| Name of the chapter | The Prime Minister and The Council of Minister |
| Subject | History and Civics |
| Topics covered |
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| Related Readings |
Very Short Questions
1. Who is the real executive head in the Parliamentary form of Government? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer
The Prime Minister is the real executive head in the Parliamentary form of Government. He/She is the leader of the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet. He picks up the members of the Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios among them. He conducts and presides over the meetings and proceedings of the Cabinet.
2. Who is the Head of the Union Council of Ministers?
Answer
Prime Minister is the Head of the Union Council of Ministers.
3. Who appoints the Prime Minister?
Answer
The President appoints the Prime Minister.
4. How is the Prime Minister elected?
Answer
The leader of the political party securing absolute majority in the Lok Sabha is appointed by the President as the Prime Minister.
5. When can the President use his discretionary power to appoint the Prime Minister?
Answer
When the ruling party who has lost majority support in the Lok Sabha or when a vote of no-confidence may have been passed against it, then the Prime Minister recommends to the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, then it is at the discretion of the President to either dissolve the House or ask another party to prove its majority on the floor of the House.
6. What is a Coalition Government?
Answer
If a single party fails to win an absolute majority in the Parliament, (i.e. 50% seats), then different political parties join hands and thus, form a Coalition Government.
7. Who is known as the 'Keystone of the Cabinet arch'?
Answer
Prime Minister is known as the 'Keystone of the Cabinet arch'.
8. Mention one way by which the authority of the Prime Minister can be checked.
Answer
If the Prime Minister fails to carry out obligations or makes detrimental choices, then the members of the House pass a Motion of No-Confidence. This deems him 'not fit' to hold the position anymore. Thus, the authority of the Prime Minister can be checked.
9. Discuss in brief about the formation of Cabinet.
Answer
The Prime Minister and 35 senior most ministers of the Government form the Cabinet. The Cabinet is a collective decision-making body of the Government of India and functions from the secretariat of New Delhi.
10. How is the Council of Ministers appointed?
Answer
The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
11. Who gives the important portfolios?
Answer
The Prime Minister of India gives the important portfolios like defence, home affairs, finance, Parliamentary affairs, etc to a few of the Ministers who form the Cabinet.
12. Under what provision can a non-member of the Legislature be made a Minister?
OR
Under what condition can a non-member of Parliament be made a Minister?
Answer
A non-member of the Legislature can be made a Minister but in that case he must be elected to the Parliament within six months from the date of his appointment, otherwise he will have to resign from his post as a Minister.
13. Shri Chaman Lal is appointed as a minister in the Council of Ministers, but he is not the member of either Houses of Parliament. What will he do?
Answer
Shit Chaman Lal has to seek the membership of Parliament within six months or resign before the expiry of the period.
14. What do the Ministers do before joining the Council of Ministers?
Answer
The Ministers have to administer an Oath of Secrecy before joining the Council of Ministers.
15. Who administers the Oath of Office to the Council of Ministers?
Answer
The President of India administers the Oath of Office to the Council of Ministers.
16. Why the Ministers are required to take the Oath of Secrecy?
Answer
The Ministers are required to take the Oath of Secrecy before entering upon their office because it imposes a Constitutional obligation upon them not to disclose any Cabinet secret.
17. What is cabinet system?
Answer
The Council of Ministers assume a full joint responsibility for all the acts carried out in the name of the President. This is called the Cabinet system. The President shall not issue a Proclamation of Emergency unless a decision of the Cabinet has been communicated to him in writing.
18. Describe the term Portfolio System?
Answer
Each minister is allotted, by the President, a particular department on the advice of the Prime Minister. No minister can interfere in the department of another minister, except the Prime Minister.
19. What do you mean by the Cabinet?
Answer
The Cabinet is the core group of 15 to 18 senior most Ministers, whom the Prime Minister consults regularly. The Cabinet formulates the polices of the government, directs their implementation and is also accountable for them. This all is done formally in the name of the President.
20. Under what circumstances, cans the President, use his discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?
Answer
When no single party gets a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, then the President exercises his discretion in the appointment of the Prime Minister.
21. What should be the ideal size of the Council of Minister at the Centro and States?
Answer
The Constitution (91st amendment) Act, 2003, has put a ceiling on the size of the Council of Ministers at the Centre and in the States to 15 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures. In the case of smaller States, the maximum number of ministers allowed is 12.
22. What is the criterion for a non-parliamentary member to become a minister?
Answer
Normally, only the members of Parliament are appointed as Ministers. In case a non-member is appointed as a Minister, he must be elected or nominated to the Parliament within six months from the date of his appointment. Failing this, he will have to resign from the post of a Minister.
23. Who is the head of the Union Council of Ministers? What is his term of office?
Answer
Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers. His term of office is five years, but he has to resign if No-Confidence motion is passed against his government.
24. To which institutions does the Prime Minister serve as an exofficio head?
Answer
The Prime Minister is the exofficio chairmen of Niti Ayog and Atomic energy Commission.
25. What is the term of the office of the Council of Ministers/Cabinet?
Answer
The term of the office of the Council of Ministers is 5 years, provided the Council enjoys the confidence of Lok Sabha.
26. What is the extent of Cabinets control on proclamation of emergency in India?
Answer
The President can proclaim emergency only on the advice of the Cabinet. So, it is the Cabinet which decides about the proclamation of any type of emergency and conveys its consent in writing.
27 Give an example of the financial functions of the Cabinet.
Answer
The Cabinet is responsible for the expenditure of the government, for presenting the demand for grants and also for raising necessary income by various means including taxation.
28. By whom and and whose advice is the Council of Ministers appointed?
OR
By whom and and whose advice are the Union Ministers appointed
Answer
The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
29. State the significance of the Prime minister’s position in the cabinet?
Answer
The Prime Minister forms the Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios among them. He can also remove a minister. The Prime Minister informs the President about the decisions of the cabinet. Minister cannot discuss any matter of national policy directly with the President.
Short Answer Type
1. State any two features of the Cabinet System?
Answer
(i) President as the Constitutional Head of the state: The real power is with the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), headed by the Prime Minister.
(ii) Prime Minister as the Head of the Government: The Prime Minister is the Leader of the majority party in the Parliament (i.e., The Lok Sabha). After the general elections, he is invited by the President to become the Prime Minister and form his Council of Ministers (Cabinet).
2. Ministers are legislators as well as administrators. Justify the statement.
Answer
There is a fusion of legislative and executive powers for the ministers. When Cabinet Ministers sit in the Parliament as M.P.s and enact laws, they exercise the legislative powers. When the same M.P., after he becomes a minister, sits in the secretariat of his ministry, he exercises the executive powers. As an executive head of a Ministry, the Ministers are responsible to the Lok Sabha. This is because in our Parliamentary set-up, the executive is drawn out of the legislature.
3. How do you distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers?
Answer
|
The Council of Ministers |
The Cabinet |
|
(a) It consists of all the four ranks of Ministers-the Cabinet Ministers, the Ministers and Parliament secretaries. (b) The Council of Ministers is a large body, it meets occasionally. |
(a) The Cabinet generally consists of Ministers holding Cabinet rank and important portfolios like defence, finance, etc. (b) The Cabinet is a small and cohesive group which meets regularly. |
4. Mention the categories of Ministers in the Council of Ministers.
Answer
The categories of Ministers are:
- The Cabinet Ministers.
- Ministers of State.
- Deputy Ministers.
5. Explain the term Joint/collective responsibility briefly.
Answer
The Council of Ministers is jointly or collectively responsible to the Parliament. Once they have reached a decision after full discussion in the meeting under Prime Ministers Chairmanship, all the Ministers must defend it inside the Parliament and in the public. If No Confidence Motion is passed against any one minister. all have to resign.
6. What is the role of the Prime Minister in relation to the President?
Answer
The President is the nominal head and Prime Minister the real executive of Indian Union.
- The Prime Minister is the only line of communication between the Cabinet and the President.
- The Prime Minister advises the President to summon and prorogue the Parliament, to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
- The Prime Minister advises the President on the appointment of judges of Supreme Court, the Governors and Ambassadors.
7. How does the Prime Minister lead his Cabinet?
Answer
He leads the Cabinet as follows:
(i) Chairman of the Council of Ministers: The Prime Minister calls the meetings of the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister concludes the discussion and gives his decision. This decision is considered as the decision of the whole Cabinet/Council of Ministers. All are bound by this decision.
(ii) Co-ordinates various Departments: The Prime Minister collaborates the functioning of all ministries for overall administration of the nations.
8. What is the role of the Prime Minister in managing the foreign affairs?
Answer
There is a minister of foreign affairs, yet the Prime Minister has a significant role in these matters, as noted below:
(i) The Prime Minister represents India in international conferences. He may commit India to certain decisions in the above conferences and conclude Treaties or Agreements.
(ii) He is the chief architect and spokesperson of India's foreign policy.
9. Do you agree that the Prime Minister is a direct choice of the nation? Why?
Answer
The Prime Minister is the acknowledged leader of the nation as a whole. At the time of general elections, it is for or against the Prime-ministerial candidate that the entire electorate in the country voles. Though he/she is contesting from a particular constituency. Thus, we can say that in a practical sense. the election of the Prime Minister is the direct choice.
10. Give instances wherein Prime Minister is projected as the leader of the nation.
Answer
- During a national crisis like war, even the opposition parties support the Prime Minister.
- The Prime Minister tries to protect the interests of the country in international forums.
- Planning Commission which formulates five-year plans to make effective use of the country's resources is headed by the Prime Minister. He is the a-officio Chairman of the Niti Ayog and the Atomic Energy Commission.
11. Which factors determine the position of the Prime Minister?
Answer
- Prime Minister is the keystone of the cabinet arch. He is the captain of his team. He is the pivot of the whole of the Cabinet system of the government.
- The real position of the Prime Minister, however, depends upon his own position in his party, and his party's position in the Lok Sabha.
- If the Prime Minister is a person of commanding personality he will certainly be able to enhance the status, prestige and authority of his choir.
12. How is the authority of the Prime Minister kept under check?
Answer
- Presence of the opposition in the Parliament with its leader keeps him under check.
- A free and well established press and other agencies of mass-media keep a watch on him. Thus he needs to keep the public opinion in his favour.
- In a coalition government, the political partners also keep him under check.
- His own party members and the constituency from where he elected are also watchful of his conduct.
13. How is the Prime Minister appointed?
Answer
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. The President invites only that person to be the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. But when no single party gets a majority, the President may invite the leader of a combination of parties capable of constituting a majority in the Lok Sabha.
14. Mention two ways in which the Constitution ensures the pre-eminent position of the Prime Minister in relation to his Council of Ministers.
Answer
(i) The Prime Minister chooses the Ministers and has the power to dismiss them.
(ii) He can also reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he pleases.
15. How is the Prime minister a link between the Council of Ministers and the President?
Answer
Prime Minister informs the President about the decisions of the Cabinet. Ministers cannot discuss any matter of national policy directly with the President. It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues the Parliament.
16. What ensures Prime Minister's unique position in the Parliament? Mention any two points.
Answer
(i) Leader of the Lok Sabha: Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parturient, so he is said to be the leader of the House.
(ii) Spokesperson of the Government: He makes all the important announcements on national policies on the floor of the House.
17. Mention two important functions of the Prime Minister.
Answer
(i) Selection and dismissal of Ministers.
(ii) Presiding Officer of the Cabinet meetings.
18. What is the profile of Council of Ministers which fall in different categories?
Answer
(i) Cabinet Ministers: They are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They hold the charge of the most important portfolios like Defence, Home, Finance, Foreign Affairs, etc. They are, normally, 20 in number and are collectively termed as the Cabinet.
(ii) Ministers of State: They are the juniors of the Cabinet ministers. They may or may not be given an independent charge of the departments.
(iii) Deputy Ministers: They supervise the work assigned to them by their ministers and submit the report regarding their work to the ministers. They do not take part in the Cabinet deliberations.
19. State the position of the Prime Minister and state any two of his powers in relation to the President.
Answer
(i) The position of the Prime Minister: While the president is the nominal head of State, with the backing of a majority in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister is the real head of the nation. But, in a parliamentary democracy his deeds are closely judged not only by the opposition but also by the members of his own party. If he tries to assume dictatorial tendencies, he cannot escape the loss of confidence of the Parliament during his tenure as well as that of the electorate in the following general elections. Thus, he is the head of the Government and answerable to the people of the country.
(ii) Prime Minister's two powers in relation to the President:
- All authority vested in the President is exercised by the Prime Minister. He is the principal advisor of the President. Thus, the President is the nominal head and the Prime Minister is the real executive of the Indian Union.
- It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues the Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha.
20. What are Cabinet Committees?
Answer
The Prime Minister performs his/her functions with the help of various specialized committees such as Defence Committee, Planning Committee, etc. These are called Cabinet Committees and composed of experts and play a vital role in decision making bodies. Write two important functions of the Cabinet Ministers.
The two important functions of the Cabinet Ministers are:
(i) They are the policy makers and decision makers.
(ii) They determine India's foreign policy with other countries.
21. What are the diplomatic functions of Cabinet?
Answer
The diplomatic functions of the Cabinet are :
(i) The Cabinet finally approves the appointment of Ambassadors.
(ii) It determines India's foreign policy with other countries.
(iii) It formulates the provisions of the Treaties and Agreements with other countries following general elections. Thus, he is the head of the Government and is answerable to the people of the country.
Prime Minister's two power in relation to the President:
- All authority vested in the President is exercised by the Prime Minister. He is the principal advisor of the President. Thus, the President is the nominal head and the Prime Minister is the real executive of the Indian Union.
- It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues the Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha. Mention three important functions of the Prime Minister.
Three important functions of the Prime Minister are:
- The Prime Minister presides at the Cabinet meetings. He decides the agenda of the meetings.
- The Prime Minister co-ordinates the working of various departments. He plays a special role in co-ordinating the policy of the Union.
- The Constitution imposes a duty on the Prime Minister to keep the President informed regarding the affairs of the Union.
22. What is the role of the Cabinet secretariat?
Answer
The Cabinet has a secretariat with a Secretary General as its head. It plays an important co-ordination role in the decision making at the highest level. It operates under the supervision and direction of the Prime Minister. It prepares the agenda of the Cabinet meetings, prepares minutes of the meeting, and arranges follow-up action for the implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting.
23. What is the difference between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet in the Central Executive?
Answer
The Council of Ministers consists of all categories of Ministers. On the other hand, the cabinet is a smaller group consisting of some 25 senior Ministers. In the day to day working of the Government, the Council of Ministers as a whole rarely meets. The Cabinet on the other hand meets as frequently as possible. The Cabinet Ministers are consulted by the Prime Minister for information and advice. The Cabinet is an inner body within the Council of Ministers and exercises all powers on its behalf.
24. Mention three important functions of the Prime Minister.
Answer
Three important functions of the Prime Minister are:
- (i) The Prime Minister presides at the Cabinet meetings. He decides the agenda of the meetings.
- (ii) The Prime Minister co-ordinates the working of various departments. He plays a special role in coordinating the policy of the Union.
- (iii) The Constitution imposes a duty on the Prime Minister to keep the President informed regarding the affairs of the Union.
25. What is the difference between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet in the Central Executive?
Answer
(i) The Council of Ministers consists of all categories of Ministers. On the other hand, the cabinet is a smaller group consisting of some 25 senior Ministers.
(ii) In the day to day working of the Government, the Council of Ministers as a whole rarely meets. The Cabinet on the other hand meets as frequently as possible.
(iii) The Cabinet Ministers are consulted by the Prime Minister for information and advice. The Cabinet is an inner body within the Council of Ministers and exercises all powers on its behalf.
26. Mention the administrative functions of Cabinet.
Answer
Administrative functions of Cabinet are:
The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic policies of the Government such as defence, economic policies, security needs, President's Rule in State, formation of new States, industrial policy and imports. Once the policy is made by the Cabinet, the Ministers concerned carry it out either by administrative action or by drafting a Bill and piloting it through the Legislature. It coordinates the working of various departments for the smooth implementation of policies.
27. What is the role of the Cabinet secretariat?
Answer
The Cabinet has a secretariat with a Secretary General as its head. It plays an important co-ordination role in the decision making at the highest level. It operates under the supervision and direction of the Prime Minister. It prepares the agenda of the Cabinet meetings, prepares minutes of the meeting, and arranges follow-up action for the implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting.
Long Answer Type
1. Discuss the powers and position of the Prime Minister in relation to:
(a) The President.
(b) The Parliament.
(c) The Nation
Answer
(a)
- The Prime Minister is the channel of communication between the Cabinet and the President. He conveys Cabinet's decisions to the President, and keeps him informed of all matters of the government, national or foreign.
- The Prime Minister advises the President to summon and prorogue the sessions of the Parliament, and to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
- The Prime Minister advises the President in appointing or removing the High officials such as Judges of Supreme court, ambassadors, governors etc.
(b)
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lok Sabha, and in this capacity his position is unique.
- The Prime Minister is the chief spokesman and the defender of the Government in the Parliament. When a Minister is under attack from the Opposition, he comes to his rescue.
- The Prime Minister makes all important announcements of the government policies on the floor of the House.
- The Prime Minister makes a concluding speech on all matters of discussion and debate in the House.
- The Prime Minister defends his government on a motion of no-confidence in the House. He makes the final-speech, before voting takes place on a motion of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha.
- The Prime Minister intervenes, and usually succeeds in bringing the Order in the House, when an ugly situation is created by some MPs.
(c)
- The Prime Minister represents the nation. When he speaks, the whole nation is supposed to be speaking through him.
- During a national crisis like war, even the opposition parties support the Prime Minister.
- The Prime Minister decides what kind of relations India would have with other countries.
- The Prime Minister tries to protect the interests of the country in International forums. He discusses matters of mutual Interest with other leaders, keeping the interests of India in mind.
- At the time of General Election, it is the proposed Prime Minister for whom or against whom the people vote.
- The Prime Minister is also the a-officio Chairman of the Niti Aayog and the Atomic Energy Commission.
2. Bring out the distinction between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.
Answer
|
Council of Ministers |
Cabinet |
|
1. The Council of Ministers consists of all categories of Ministers-Cabinet Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. 2. The prime ministers may or may not consult the other ministers, below the ranks of cabinet ministers. 3. In the day-to-day working of the government, the council of ministers as a whole rarely meets. 4. According to the constitution, the president acts on the advice of the council of ministers. In is not the council of ministers but the cabinet which advises the president. |
1. The ‘cabinet’ is a smaller group consisting of 15 to 18 senior ministers holding important portfolios such as defence, finance, home, etc. 2. They are the most trusted colleagues of the prime ministers. The decisions of the consults them. The decisions of the cabinet are binding on all the minsters. 3. The cabinet is a small cohesive group of senior ministers who determine the policy and programme of the government; so they meet as frequently as possible. 4. In day-to-day governance of the country, through the prime ministers. |
3. Regarding the organisation of the Council of Ministers, discuss the following:
(a) Categories of Ministers.
(b) Term of the Prime Minister and other Ministers.
(c) "Prime Minister is the captain of the ship of the State.' Discuss this statement with regard to the Prime Minister's relation with the Cabinet.
Answer
(a) The Council of Ministers comprises the Prime Minister selected by the President and a number of other ministers appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Cabinet Ministers: They are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They hold important portfolios, like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs, Railways, etc. A Cabinet Minister is in charge of a Ministry and some times of more than one Ministry. Only Cabinet Ministers have a right to attend meetings of the Cabinet. They together determine the policy and programme of the Government.
- Ministers of State: They are the second category of Ministers. They may or may not hold an independent charge of any portfolio. The Prime Minister may or may not consult them. They do not participate in the Cabinet meetings. But they may be invited to attend meetings when matters concerning their departments are being considered.
- Deputy Ministers: They are the third category of Ministers who assist the Cabinet Ministers and the Council of Ministers. They are junior ministers and are placed under senior ministers whom they have to assist. They take no part in Cabinet deliberations.
(b) The term of Council of Ministers is equal to the term of the Lok Sabha i.e. five years. In fact, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It remains in power so long as it enjoys the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha. The President cannot dismiss a Prime Minister as long as he enjoys the support of the mniority. The Prime Minister has the power through President to dismiss a Minister."
(c) In relation to the Cabinet or the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister possesses the following powers:
- He forms the Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios.
- The Prime Minister can remove a Minister from the Council of Ministers by asking him to give his resignation from it. He can reallocate portfolios.
- The Prime Minister summons the meetings of the Council of Ministers, and presides over them. After open discussion in the Cabinet, the Prime Minister concludes the discussion and gives his decision. This decision is considered as the decision of the whole Cabinet / Council of Ministers. Under the principle of Collective Responsibility, all are bound by this decision.
- The Prime Minister has the power to coordinate the policies and the working of the different departments of the government.
4. Mention the various categories of Ministers.
OR
Mention the three categories of Ministers in order of their rank and status.
Answer
There are three categories of Ministers:
- Cabinet Ministers: They are the senior and experienced Ministers, usually influential leaders as well. Each Cabinet Minister is incharge of one or more Government Ministries or Departments for example, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Home, Education, etc.
- Ministers of State: They are generally junior colleagues of the Cabinet Ministers and are mostly fresh entrants still learning the art of governance. However, experienced and influential leaders are also appointed as Ministers of State. They also answer questions in the Parliament on behalf of the Minister or on their own behalf.
- Deputy Ministers: They are junior-most Ministers and are attached to such ministries where the work load is very heavy. They assist the Senior Ministers in charge of that particular department. They answer the questions in the Parliament on behalf of the Ministers.
5. What are the Legislative functions performed by the Cabinet?
Answer
The Cabinet plays a pivotal role in the Government. It has a wide range of powers and shoulder responsibilities covering executive, legislative and the financial field.
Legislative Functions: In the Parliamentary system the Cabinet has an important role in the field of legislation. It is regarded as an instrument which links the executive wing of the Government to the legislative. It performs the following legislative functions:
- The Cabinet guides the Parliament for action.
- It prepares the legislative programme of the Parliament.
- It prepares the drafts of Bills and initiates them in the Parliament.
- It fixes dates for holding the sessions of the Parliament.
- It recommends to the President the promulgation of ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
- It can move Constitutional Amendments.
- It decides the dissolution of the Parliament.