State Council of Ministers Practice Questions
20 free State Council of Ministers practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment, tenure, and responsibility of the State Council of Ministers?
- A Article 153
- B Article 163
- C Article 164
- D Article 167
Correct answer: Article 164
Article 164 deals with the appointment of the Chief Minister by the Governor and other ministers on the advice of the CM. It also specifies their collective responsibility to the State Legislative Assembly.
The total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed what percentage of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly?
- A 10%
- B 12%
- C 15%
- D 20%
Correct answer: 15%
The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 mandated that the strength of the Council of Ministers should not exceed 15% of the total strength of the State Legislative Assembly. However, the number of ministers including the CM cannot be less than 12.
Who administers the oath of office and secrecy to a minister in the State Government?
- A The Governor of the State
- B The Chief Minister
- C The Chief Justice of the High Court
- D The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Correct answer: The Governor of the State
Before a minister enters upon their office, the Governor administers the oaths of office and secrecy. This is a constitutional requirement under Article 164(3).
To whom is the State Council of Ministers collectively responsible?
- A The Governor
- B The State Legislative Council
- C The Chief Minister of the State
- D The State Legislative Assembly
Correct answer: The State Legislative Assembly
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State. This means the ministry stays in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the lower house.
A minister who is not a member of the State Legislature for any continuous period of ______ shall cease to be a minister.
- A Six months
- B Three months
- C Nine months
- D Twelve months
Correct answer: Six months
According to Article 164(4), a person can be appointed as a minister without being a member of the legislature, but they must become a member within six months. Failure to do so results in the automatic vacation of their ministerial office.
In which states is it mandatory to have a Minister in charge of Tribal Welfare?
- A Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha
- B Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh
- C Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh
- D Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur
Correct answer: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha
Under Article 164, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha must have a minister in charge of tribal welfare. Bihar was removed from this list by the 94th Amendment Act of 2006.
What is the constitutional status of the advice tendered by the Council of Ministers to the Governor?
- A It cannot be inquired into by any court.
- B It can be challenged in court.
- C It must be published in the State Gazette.
- D It is only valid if signed by the Speaker.
Correct answer: It cannot be inquired into by any court.
Article 163(3) explicitly states that the question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the Governor shall not be inquired into in any court. This protects the confidentiality of the executive decision-making process.
Who decides the salaries and allowances of the State Ministers?
- A The Governor
- B The President of India
- C The State Legislature
- D The Union Parliament
Correct answer: The State Legislature
The salaries and allowances of ministers are determined by the State Legislature from time to time by law. Until the legislature so decides, they are as specified in the Second Schedule.
What happens to the State Council of Ministers if the Chief Minister resigns or dies?
- A The senior-most minister becomes the CM automatically.
- B The Council of Ministers is automatically dissolved.
- C The Governor takes over the administration.
- D The Council of Ministers continues to function under a new leader.
Correct answer: The Council of Ministers is automatically dissolved.
The Chief Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers; therefore, their resignation or death leads to the automatic dissolution of the Council. This is because the ministers are appointed on the advice of the CM.
Who is the head of the State Council of Ministers?
- A The Governor
- B The Speaker
- C The Chief Minister
- D The Chief Secretary
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
The Chief Minister is the real executive authority and the head of the Council of Ministers. The Governor is the formal or titular head of the state executive.
Which Article defines the duties of the Chief Minister regarding the furnishing of information to the Governor?
- A Article 164
- B Article 166
- C Article 167
- D Article 168
Correct answer: Article 167
Article 167 outlines the duties of the Chief Minister, which include communicating all decisions of the Council of Ministers to the Governor and providing information regarding the administration of the state.
A minister holds office during the pleasure of the:
- A Chief Minister
- B Governor
- C Cabinet
- D Legislative Assembly
Correct answer: Governor
While ministers are appointed on the advice of the Chief Minister, they constitutionally hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. In practice, this 'pleasure' is exercised only on the advice of the CM.
All executive actions of the Government of a State are formally taken in the name of:
- A The Chief Minister
- B The Council of Ministers
- C The Governor
- D The Cabinet
Correct answer: The Governor
Article 166 of the Constitution specifies that all executive actions of a state government shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Governor. The Governor also makes rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government.
Who allocates portfolios among the various ministers in the State Government?
- A The Governor
- B The Chief Minister
- C The Speaker
- D The Cabinet Secretary
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
The Chief Minister allocates and shuffles various portfolios among the ministers. Although the formal order is issued by the Governor, it is done strictly as per the advice of the CM.
What is the nature of the responsibility of a minister for the acts of the Governor?
- A Legal Responsibility
- B Individual Responsibility to the High Court
- C No Legal Responsibility
- D Collective Responsibility to the President
Correct answer: No Legal Responsibility
In India, unlike in Britain, there is no system of legal responsibility of a minister for the acts of the Governor. The courts cannot even inquire into the advice given by ministers.
Which of the following is NOT a category of Ministers in the State Council of Ministers?
- A Cabinet Ministers
- B Ministers of State
- C Deputy Ministers of the State
- D Parliamentary Secretaries
Correct answer: Parliamentary Secretaries
While Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers are standard ranks in the Council, Parliamentary Secretaries are not technically part of the Council of Ministers in the constitutional sense, though they may assist ministers.
If a minister disagrees with a cabinet decision, what is the expected course of action under collective responsibility?
- A The minister can publicly criticize the decision.
- B The minister must resign from the Council of Ministers.
- C The minister can ignore the decision in their department.
- D The Governor must mediate the dispute.
Correct answer: The minister must resign from the Council of Ministers.
Collective responsibility implies that the cabinet speaks with one voice. If a minister cannot defend or agree with a cabinet decision, they must resign, as they are jointly responsible for all decisions made by the body.
Which constitutional amendment restricted the size of the State Council of Ministers?
- A 42nd Amendment
- B 44th Amendment
- C 91st Amendment
- D 97th Amendment
Correct answer: 91st Amendment
The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 was introduced to prevent jumbo cabinets and check the practice of using ministerial berths to appease political defectors.
Who can be a member of the Council of Ministers?
- A Only members of the Legislative Assembly
- B Only members of the Legislative Council
- C Any citizen of India, regardless of qualifications
- D Members of either House of the State Legislature
Correct answer: Members of either House of the State Legislature
Ministers can be members of either the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) or the Legislative Council (Upper House). If a non-member is appointed, they must join one of the houses within six months.
In the case of a difference of opinion between the Governor and the Council of Ministers on a matter where the Governor has 'discretion', whose decision prevails?
- A The Council of Ministers
- B The Chief Minister
- C The Cabinet
- D The Governor
Correct answer: The Governor
Article 163(2) states that if any question arises whether any matter is one where the Governor is required to act in his discretion, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final.