Prime Minister Practice Questions
18 free Prime Minister 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 states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President?
- A Article 72
- B Article 74
- C Article 75
- D Article 78
Correct answer: Article 74
Article 74 provides for a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head. The advice tendered by this council is generally binding on the President after the 42nd and 44th Amendment Acts.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President under which Article of the Constitution?
- A Article 74
- B Article 75
- C Article 76
- D Article 77
Correct answer: Article 75
Article 75 specifies that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. It also establishes the principle of collective responsibility.
If the Prime Minister submitted his resignation to the President, it would mean the resignation of the:
- A Prime Minister only
- B Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers only
- C Entire Council of Ministers
- D Prime Minister and the Speaker of Lok Sabha
Correct answer: Entire Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister is the keystone of the cabinet arch. His resignation or death automatically dissolves the Council of Ministers, as the body cannot exist without its head.
Which of the following is the 'principal channel of communication' between the President and the Council of Ministers?
- A The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- B The Prime Minister
- C The Cabinet Secretary
- D The Vice-President
Correct answer: The Prime Minister
Under Article 78, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.
Who was the first Prime Minister of India to die while in office?
- A Jawaharlal Nehru
- B Lal Bahadur Shastri
- C Indira Gandhi
- D Rajiv Gandhi
Correct answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister to die in office in 1964. He was followed by Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi, who also died while holding the post.
A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as Prime Minister for a maximum period of:
- A 6 months
- B 3 months
- C 9 months
- D 1 year
Correct answer: 6 months
According to the Constitution, a minister (including the PM) who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a minister.
What is the minimum age required to become the Prime Minister of India?
- A 25 years
- B 21 years
- C 30 years
- D 35 years
Correct answer: 25 years
Since the Prime Minister must be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, the minimum age is 25 years (if a member of Lok Sabha) or 30 years (if a member of Rajya Sabha).
Who decides the salaries and allowances of the Prime Minister of India?
- A The President
- B The Constitution of India
- C The Parliament
- D The Cabinet Secretariat
Correct answer: The Parliament
The salaries and allowances of the Prime Minister and other ministers are determined by the Parliament from time to time by law. These are not fixed by the Constitution itself.
In the 'Order of Precedence', the Prime Minister of India ranks:
- A Third
- B Second
- C Fourth
- D Fifth
Correct answer: Third
In the Indian Table of Precedence, the President is first, the Vice-President is second, and the Prime Minister is third. Former Presidents and the Deputy Prime Minister follow them.
The term 'Primus Inter Pares' (First among equals) is often used to describe the office of:
- A The President
- B The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- C The Prime Minister
- D The Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: The Prime Minister
While the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers, he is technically 'first among equals' among his cabinet colleagues. However, in modern parliamentary systems, the PM's power often far exceeds this description.
The President appoints all of the following on the advice of the Prime Minister EXCEPT:
- A Attorney General of India
- B Comptroller and Auditor General
- C Judges of the Supreme Court
- D Chairman of UPSC
Correct answer: Judges of the Supreme Court
Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the judicial collegium, not on the advice of the Prime Minister. In contrast, the Attorney General, the CAG, and the Chairman of the UPSC are all appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
Who was the first Prime Minister to head a minority government that completed a full five-year term in India?
- A Chaudhary Charan Singh
- B V.P. Singh
- C Morarji Desai
- D P.V. Narasimha Rao
Correct answer: P.V. Narasimha Rao
P.V. Narasimha Rao headed the first minority government that managed to complete a full five-year term (1991–1996). V.P. Singh led a coalition but it fell before completing the term.
If a Prime Minister loses a No-Confidence Motion in the Lok Sabha, he/she:
- A Must resign immediately
- B Can recommend dissolution of the House to the President
- C Can remain in office for 6 more months
- D Must resign and may also recommend dissolution
Correct answer: Must resign and may also recommend dissolution
Upon losing a No-Confidence Motion, the PM must resign. However, the PM can also recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President, who then decides based on whether an alternative government can be formed.
Who described the Prime Minister as the 'Captain of the Ship of the State'?
- A Lord Morley
- B Sir William Vernon Harcourt
- C Jennings
- D Ramsay Muir
Correct answer: Ramsay Muir
Ramsay Muir used the phrase 'Captain of the Ship' to describe the Prime Minister's leadership role. Other scholars like Morley described him as 'the keystone of the cabinet arch'.
The Prime Minister can be a member of:
- A Only Lok Sabha
- B Only Rajya Sabha
- C Neither House (if appointed as a specialist)
- D Either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
Correct answer: Either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
A Prime Minister can belong to either House of Parliament. Notable examples of PMs from the Rajya Sabha include Indira Gandhi (initially), I.K. Gujral, and Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Who was the first Prime Minister to resign after losing a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha?
- A Vishwanath Pratap Singh
- B Morarji Ranchhodji Desai
- C Charan Singh
- D Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Correct answer: Vishwanath Pratap Singh
V.P. Singh was the first Prime Minister to be forced out of office by a no-confidence motion in 1990. Morarji Desai resigned before the motion was actually put to vote.
The Prime Minister is the Chairman of which committee that decides on major appointments in the Government of India?
- A Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
- B Public Accounts Committee
- C Estimates Committee
- D Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
Correct answer: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is chaired by the Prime Minister. This committee makes decisions regarding top-level placements in the central administration and public sector undertakings.
In the absence of the Prime Minister, who presides over the meetings of the Cabinet?
- A The President
- B The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- C The minister nominated by the Cabinet Secretary
- D The senior-most Minister nominated by the PM
Correct answer: The senior-most Minister nominated by the PM
In the absence of the Prime Minister, the meeting of the Cabinet is presided over by a minister nominated by the PM or, in the absence of such nomination, the senior-most member of the Cabinet.