PREVIOUS YEARS’

QUESTIONS
(2000-2021)
T H EM E: P R ES I D E N T, G O V ER N O R , P R I M E M I N I S TER / C H I EF
M I N IS T ER A N D R ES PE C TI V E C O U N C I L O F M I N I ST ER S ( EX EC U TI V E
ORGANS) Atish Mathur: MATHUR10

www.atishmathur.com
telegram: https://t.me/csepaper2atish
 NUMBER OF POLITY QUESTIONS PER YEAR
25

20

15

10

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT &
GOVERNOR
7

No. of 4
Questions
from this
Topic 3

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Years

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q1: At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency

to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes
and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (2021)
a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q2: With reference to the Union Government, consider the following

statements (2021)
1. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister
and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of
administrative reform and promoting it.
2. In the 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on
the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms
Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime
Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q3: In the context of India, which one of the following is the

characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy? (2020)

(a) An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary

democracy
(b) An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism
(c) political An agency for facilitating stability and economic
growth
(d) An agency for the implementation of public policy

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q4: Which one of the following suggested that the Governor

should be an eminent person from outside the State and should
be a detached figure without intense political links or should not
have taken part in politics in the recent past? (2019)

(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)

(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the
Constitution (2000)

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q5: Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the
Governor of a State any court during his term of office.
2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State
shall not be diminished during his term of office.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q6: With reference to the election of the President of India,

consider the following statements: (2018)
1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to
State.
2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than
the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/ are Correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 or 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q7: Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings
out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:
(2017)

(a) An arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the

Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to
carry out to the satisfaction of all.
(b) A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the
Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by
day.
(c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring
collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
(d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the
Government whose hold over the people is in a state of
decline.

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q8: Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor
of that State.
2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q9: Consider the following statements: (2015)

1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the
Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil
Services Board.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q10: Consider the following statements: (2014)

1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient

transaction of the business of the Government of India, and
for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
2. All executive actions of the Government of India shall be
expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 and 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q11: Which of the following are the discretionary powers given

to the Governor of a State? (2014)
1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the
President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for
consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State
Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q12: Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the

Cabinet Secretariat? (2014)
1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q13: Which one of the following statements is correct? (2013)

(a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor

for two or more States at the same time
(b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are
appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of
the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
(c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of
India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
(d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup,
the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the
basis of majority support

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q14: Consider the following statements: (2013)

1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively
responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the
pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President
about the proposals for legislation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q15: According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the

President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament
which of the following? (2012)
1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled
Castes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q16: The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her

appointment (2012)

(a) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of

the Parliament but must become a member of one of the
Houses within six months
(b) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of
the Parliament but must become a member of the Lok Sabha
within six months
(c) must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament
(d) must be a member of the Lok Sabha

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q17: Which one of the following authorities makes

recommendation to the Governor of a State as to the principles
for determining the taxes and duties which may be appropriated
by the Panchayats in that particular State? (2010)

(a) District Planning Committees

(b) State Finance Commission
(c) Finance Ministry of that State
(d) Panchayati Raj Ministry of that State

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q18: With reference to Union Government, consider the

following statements : (2009)
1. The Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are
created by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet
Secretary.
2. Each of the Ministries is assigned to a Minister by the
President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q19: With reference to Union Government, consider the

following statements : (2009)
1. The number of Ministries at the Centre on 15th August 1947
was 18.
2. The number of Ministries at the Centre at present is 36.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q20: Which one of the following Constitutional Amendments

states that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime
Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen
percent of the total number of members of the House of the
People? (2009)

(a) 90th
(b) 91st
(c) 92nd
(d) 93rd

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q21: With reference to Union Government, consider the

following statements : (2009)
1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers
shall be compulsorily the sitting members of Lok Sabha
only.
2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction
of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q22: Consider the following statements : (2009)

1. The Governor of Punjab is concurrently the Administrator
of Chandigarh.
2. The Governor of Kerala is concurrently the Administrator of
Lakshadweep.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q23: Under the administration of which one of the following is

the Department of Atomic Energy? (2009)

(a) Prime Minister’s Office

(b) Cabinet Secretariat
(c) Ministry of Power
(d) Ministry of Science and Technology

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q24: Department of Border Management is a Department of

which one of the following Union Ministries? (2008)

(a) Ministry of Defence

(b) Ministry of Home Affairs
(c) Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways
(d) Ministry of Environment and Forests

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q25: Who among the following have held the office of the
Vice-President of India? (2008)

1. Mohammad Hidayatullah
2. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
4. Shankar Dayal Sharma

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 and 4 only

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q26: Which of the following Constitution Amendment Acts

seeks that the size of Councils of Ministers at the Centre and in
a State must not exceed 15per cent of the total number of
members in the Lok Sabha and the total number of members of
the Legislative Assembly of that State, respectively? (2007)

(a) 91st
(b) 93rd
(c) 95th
(d) 97th

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q27: Who among the following have been the Union Finance
Ministers of India? (2007)
1. V.P. Singh
2. R. Venkataraman
3. Y.B. Chavan
4. Pranab Mukherjee

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q28: Consider the following statements: (2007)

1. Jawaharlal Nehru was in his fourth term as the Prime
Minister of India at the time of his death.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru represented Rae Bareilly constituency as a
Member of Parliament.
3. The first non-Congress Prime Minister of India assumed the
Office in the year 1977.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1 and 3

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q29: Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? (2004)

Departments : Ministry of the Government of India

1. Department of Women and Child Development : Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2. Department of Official Language : Ministry of Human Resource Development
3. Department of Drinking Water Supply : Ministry of Water Resources

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) None

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q30: Consider the following statements: (2003)

In the Electoral College for Presidential Election in India,
1. the value of the vote of an elected Member of Legislative
Assembly equals State Population Number of elected MLAs
of the State x 100
2. the value of the vote of an elected Member of Parliament
equals Total value of the votes of all elected MLAs Total
number of elected MPs
3. there were more than 5000 members in the latest election. 

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3 (d) Only 3

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q31: Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the

President give his assent to the ordinance on electoral reforms
when it was sent back to him by the Union Cabinet without
making any changes (in the year 2002)? (2003)

(a) Article 121

(b) Article 122
(c) Article 123
(d) Article 124

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: c

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q32: Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the

President make a reference to the Supreme Court to seek the
Court’s opinion on the Constitutional validity of the Election
Commission’s decision on deferring the Gujarat Assembly
elections (in the year 2002)? (2003)

(a) Article 142

(b) Article 143
(c) Article 144
(d) Article 145

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q33: Which one of the following amendments to the Indian

Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter
for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers? (2002)

(a) 39th
(b) 40th
(c) 42nd
(d) 44th

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: d

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q34: With reference to Indian Polity, which one of the

following statements is correct? (2002)

(a) Planning Commission is accountable to Parliament

(b) President can make ordinance only when either of the two
Houses of Parliament is not in session
(c) The minimum age prescribed for appointment as a Judge of
the Supreme Court is 40 years
(d) National Development Council is constituted of Union
Finance Minister and the Chief Ministers of all the States

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: b

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Q35: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists :
(2001)
List-I (Articles of the Constitution) List-II (Content)
A. Article 54 1. Election of the President of India
B. Article 75 2. Appointment of the Prime Minister And
Council of Ministers
C. Article 155 3. Appointment of the Governor of a state
D. Article 164 4. Appointment of the Chief Minister and Council of
Ministers of a state
5. Composition of Legislative Assemblies

Codes: A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 1 2 4 5
(c) 2 1 3 5
(d) 2 1 4 3

ATISH MATHUR
 PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

Answer: a

ATISH MATHUR
 ANALYSI
S
TOPIC NO. OF QUESTIONS FOCUS AREAS
President 10 • Election
• Duty to table reports before the Parliament
• Ordinance making power
Governor 6 • Discretionary powers
• Immunities
PM & CoM 17 • Appointment of PM
• Collective responsibility of CoM
• Cabinet form of Govt
• Cabinet Secretariat
• Composition & Appointment of Cabinet
Ministers
• Ministries & Departments
• Related Constitutional Amendments
Permanent 2 • Bureaucracy
Executive • Chief Secretary

ATISH MATHUR
President
 Articles 52 to 78 in Part V deal with the Union Executive- consists of President, Vice-President, PM, CoM, AG
 Election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and
voting is by secret ballot
 Electoral college: elected members of both Houses of Parliament + elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
+ elected members of legislative assemblies of UTs of Delhi and Puducherry (and J&K)
(NOTE: The elected members of the legislative assembly of the UT of J&K should be included in the next
Presidential election. Rules have not been notified, as of May 2021.)
 The Constitution provides that there should be uniformity in the scale of representation of votes:
Value of the vote of an MLA= total population of the State x 1
no. of MLAs 1000
Value of the vote of an MP= total no. of votes assigned to MLAs
total no. of MPs
 All doubts and disputes in connection to the Presidential election are inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court
whose decision is final
 The present system makes the President a representative of the Union and the States equally
 President is only a nominal executive, making him a symbolic head

ATISH MATHUR
 Overview
Qualifications for election as President
 Should be citizen of India
 Should have completed 35 years of age
 Should be qualified for election as a member to the LS
 Should not hold any office of profit
 Further: Nomination process- subscribed by at least 50
electors as proposers and 50 as seconders.
Oath or Affirmation: Administered by the CJI, the President
swears to:
 Faithfully execute the office
 Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
 Devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of
India
Privileges and Immunities
 Enjoys personal immunity from legal liability for his official
acts
 During his term, immune from any criminal proceedings
 After giving 2 months’ notice, civil proceedings can be
initiated in respect of his personal acts
Term: 5 years, but may resign or be impeached
ATISH MATHUR
Powers and Functions
Executive:
 All executive actions are formally taken in his name
 He can make rules for convenient transaction of business of the
union government
 Appoints: PM, other Ministers, CAG, AG, ECI members,
Governors etc.
 He directly administers the UTs through administrators
 He can declare any area scheduled area
Legislative:
 Can summon or prorogue, or call for joint sitting of the Parliament
 Nominates 12 members to the RS
 Prior recommendation is required in certain types of bills
 Can promulgate ordinances when the Parliament is not in session.
Must be approved within 6 weeks of reassembly.
 He lays reports of the CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission and
others, before the Parliament
Financial:
 Money bills require prior recommendation
 Lays down the annual financial statement
 Demand for a grant requires his recommendation
 Can make advances out of Contingency Fund of India
Powers and Functions (contd.)
Judicial: Discretionary powers of the President:
 Appoints CJI and all other Judges of SC and all HCs  Suspensive Veto
 Can seek advice from SC under A. 143  Pocket veto
 Can grant pardon, reprieve, respite and remission of  u/A. 74, President can acquire reconsideration
punishment of the advice of the CoM once (44th CA, 1978)
 u/A. 78, PM has a constitutional duty to keep
Diplomatic: the President informed
 All international treaties and agreements are negotiated  u/A. 85, there should not be more than 6
and concluded on behalf of the President months’ gap between 2 parliamentary
 However, they are subject to the approval of the sessions. If it happens, President can summon
Parliament a session
 When no party/ coalition party enjoys
Military: majority in the LS, President enjoys the
 He is the supreme commander of the defence forces discretion to invite the leader, prove majority
& form stable government
Emergency: (discussed in later topics)  President can dissolve LS without the advice
 National emergency of the CoM when it has lost majority
 President’s Rule
 Financial Emergency

ATISH MATHUR
 Governor
 Articles 153 to 167 in Part VI deal with the State Executive- Governor, CM, CoM, Advocate General
 While being the chief executive of the State, the Governor also acts as an agent of the Centre
 7th CA, 1956- appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States
 Appointed by President, by warrant under his hand and seal
 1979- SC ruled that the office of Governor of a State is not an employment under the Central Govt. It is an independent
constitutional office
 Governor holds office for 5 years, but there is no security of tenure and may be removed by President at any time
 Executive powers: Parallel powers as that of President’s, but in the States. Additionally,
 u/A. 356 he can recommend imposition of emergency in the State
 He acts as chancellor of universities in State
 Legislative powers: Additionally, he can,
 Reserve bills for the consideration of the President (discretionary power)
 Promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session, must be approved within 6 weeks from reassembly
 Tables the reports of SFC, SPSC, CAG relating to accounts of the State
 Financial powers: similar to that of President, on the State level
 Judicial powers: Unlike the President, Governor cannot pardon a death sentence. However, he can suspend, remit or commute
the death sentence by using these pardoning powers.
 42nd CA, 1976- ministerial advice has been made binding on the President, but no such provision has been made wrt Governor

ATISH MATHUR
 Discretionary
powers of the
Governor
Constitutional discretion: Situational discretion:
 Reservation of bills for the consideration of the President  Appointment of CM when there isn’t a
 Recommendation for imposition of President’s Rule clear majority
 While exercising his functions as the administrator of an  Dismissal of the CoM when they cannot
adjoining UT prove confidence on the floor of the
 NOTE: 2018- The Supreme Court said the Delhi SLA
Lieutenant Governor cannot act independently and must  Dissolution of the SLA if CoM loses
take the aid and advise of the Council of Ministers. majority
 Determining the amount payable by the Governments of Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to an autonomous Tribal
district Council as royalty for mineral exploration
 Seeking information from the CM on legislative and
administrative matters of the State

Privileges and Immunities

 Enjoys personal immunity from legal liability for his official acts
 During his term, immune from any criminal proceedings
 After giving 2 months’ notice, civil proceedings can be initiated in respect of his personal acts

ATISH MATHUR
 Prime Minister
 In a parliamentary system of government, President is the Head of the State while the PM is the Head of the Govt
 In 1997, the SC held that a person who is not a member of either House of the Parliament can be appointed as the PM for 6
months, within which, he should become a member of either House of Parliament; otherwise, he ceases to be the PM
 Term: the PM holds office as long as he enjoys the majority support in the LS
 Powers & functions in relation to the Council of Ministers:
 He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President
 Allocates and reshuffles portfolios
 Can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him
 Presides over the meetings of CoM
 Can bring about a collapse of the CoM by resigning from office
 Powers & functions in relation to the President:
 Principal channel of communication between President and CoM
 Advises the President with regard to appointment of important officials
 Powers & functions in relation to the Parliament: PM is the Leader of the Lower House
 Advises President with regard to summoning or proroguing the sessions
 Can recommend dissolution of the LS to the President
 Announces govt policies on the floor of the House
 PM is the political head of the services, and the chief spokesman of the Union govt.

ATISH MATHUR
 Central Council of Ministers
 The CoM headed by the PM is the real executive in our politico-administrative system
 A. 74- CoM to aid and advise the President. The advise thus tendered shall not be inquired into any court
 A. 75- Other provisions:
 Ministers to be appointed by the President on the advice of the PM
 91st CA, 2003: total strength of CoM, including PM, should not exceed 15% of the total strength of LS
 91st CA, 2003: a member who is disqualified from the House on grounds of anti-defection shall also cease to be a Minister
 The CoM shall be collectively responsible to the LS
 The principle of collective responsibility also means that the Cabinet decisions bind all Ministers even if they differed
in the meeting. It is the duty of every Minister to stand by the cabinet decisions within and outside the Parliament.
 The President shall administer oaths of office and secrecy to the ministers
 The SC ruling of 1997 for PM is also applicable to the Ministers
 A. 88- Every minister shall have the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House, but is entitled to vote in
only that House of which he/she is a member
 Composition:
 Cabinet Ministers: head important ministries of the Central Govt (home, defence, external affairs etc.)
 Ministers of State: can either be given independent charge, or can be attached to cabinet ministers. They do not attend
cabinet meetings
 Deputy Ministers: not given independent charge, but are attached to the cabinet ministers or ministers of state

ATISH MATHUR
 Some Important Ministries & Prime Minister’s Office
Departments
MINISTRY OF DEPARTMENT OF  Not under any Ministry
 Headed by the Principal Secretary to
Finance • Economic Affairs the PM
• Expenditure  Child Agencies:
• Revenue
 Department of Atomic Energy
• Financial services
• DIPAM (DAE)
 Department of Space (DoS):
Health & Family Welfare • Health & Family Welfare ISRO + Antrix
• Health Research
Home Affairs • Border Management
• Internal Security
• Home
• Official Language
• States

Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions • Personnel & Training

• Administrative Reforms & Public
Grievances
• Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Defence • DRDO
• Defence
• Ex-Servicemen Welfare
• Defence Production

ATISH MATHUR
Permanent Executive
 Bureaucracy or the Civil Service constitutes the permanent and professional part of the executive organ of
government.
 It is usually described as the non-political or politically neutral, permanent, and professionally trained civil service.
 It works under the leadership and control of the Political Executive.
 The All-India Services are controlled jointly by the Central and State governments.
 The ultimate control lies with the Centre, while the immediate control lies with the states. Any disciplinary action can
only be taken by the former.
 Their salaries and pensions are met by the states.

ATISH MATHUR