Q91. A motion of No-Confidence against the Government can be introduced in:
Union Executive: President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Cabinet: RAS Prelims MCQs
100 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Union Executive cover the election and powers of the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The electoral college, the oath, disputes over elections, the veto powers, ordinances and the nominal head principle are asked as articles, facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 100 questions
Q92. The President of India has the power to declare an emergency under Article 352 on the basis of written advice given by:
Explanation
Following the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, the President can only proclaim a National Emergency under Article 352 after receiving a written recommendation from the Union Cabinet. This requirement ensures that the decision is a collective one involving senior ministers, rather than being the Prime Minister’s unilateral choice. This serves as a vital safeguard against the potential misuse of emergency powers.
Q93. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
| Authority | To whom resignation is addressed |
|---|---|
| A. President | i. Deputy Speaker |
| B. Vice President | ii. President |
| C. Prime Minister | iii. Vice President |
| D. Speaker of Lok Sabha | iv. Chief Justice of India |
Explanation
Resignations for high constitutional offices follow a specific protocol. The President addresses his resignation to the Vice-President, who must immediately inform the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Vice-President, Prime Minister, and other Union ministers address their resignations to the President. However, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha submits his resignation to the Deputy Speaker, and vice versa, within the house.
Q94. Which of the following constitutional amendments made it mandatory for the President to accept the advice of the Council of Ministers?
Explanation
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 amended Article 74 to state that the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers. This made the cabinet’s advice legally binding on the President. Although the 44th Amendment later added a provision for one-time reconsideration, the principle that the President must ultimately follow the executive’s advice remains unchanged.
Q95. Consider the following statements regarding the conditions of the President’s office:
I. He should not be a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature.
II. He should not hold any other office of profit.
III. He is entitled to use his official residence without payment of rent.
IV. His emoluments and allowances can be diminished during his term of office in a financial emergency.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. He should not be a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature.
II. He should not hold any other office of profit.
III. He is entitled to use his official residence without payment of rent.
IV. His emoluments and allowances can be diminished during his term of office in a financial emergency.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Constitution sets strict conditions for the presidency. The President cannot be a member of any legislature and must not hold any office of profit. He is entitled to an official residence and specified emoluments. Crucially, his emoluments and allowances cannot be diminished during his term of office. Even during a financial emergency, while other salaries can be reduced, the President’s remain protected.
Q96. What is the fundamental difference between the pardoning power of the President and the Governor in India?
Explanation
Both the President and the Governor possess pardoning powers, but they differ in scope. Only the President can grant a pardon in cases involving a death sentence. The Governor’s power regarding death sentences is limited to suspension, remission, or commutation. Additionally, the President alone can grant pardons for sentences awarded by a Court Martial, whereas the Governor has no such military-related authority.
Q97. Which of the following Prime Ministers did NOT face a vote of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha?
Explanation
While many Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi faced no-confidence motions during their tenures, I.K. Gujral did not. His government was supported from the outside, and although he eventually resigned when support was withdrawn, no formal vote of no-confidence was conducted on the floor of the Lok Sabha against his ministry during his brief tenure.
Q98. When a State Bill is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President, the President:
Explanation
When the Governor reserves a state bill for the President’s consideration, the President can give assent, withhold it, or direct the Governor to return the bill for reconsideration. If the state legislature passes the bill again and sends it back, the President is still not bound to give his assent. This contrasts with Union bills, where second-time assent is mandatory for the President.
Q99. Consider the following statements regarding the executive powers of the President of India:
I. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.
II. He makes rules specifying the manner in which orders and other instruments made in his name shall be authenticated.
III. He appoints the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
IV. He appoints the Finance Commission every five years.
V. He manages the allocation of business among Ministers directly without the Prime Minister’s advice.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.
II. He makes rules specifying the manner in which orders and other instruments made in his name shall be authenticated.
III. He appoints the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
IV. He appoints the Finance Commission every five years.
V. He manages the allocation of business among Ministers directly without the Prime Minister’s advice.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The President’s executive powers include taking actions in his name, making authentication rules, and appointing key figures like the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Finance Commission. While he makes rules for the allocation of business among ministers, he does so on the advice of the Prime Minister, not independently. This reflects the President’s role as the nominal head of the Union.
Q100. In India, the Cabinet Committees are:
Explanation
Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional bodies that are not mentioned in the original text of the Constitution. They are created by the Prime Minister under the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. These committees facilitate the disposal of business by allowing smaller groups of ministers to focus on specific issues. Their number, composition, and functions vary depending on the Prime Minister’s requirements.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (d) Lok Sabha only |
| 92 | (b) The Union Cabinet |
| 93 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-ii, D-i |
| 94 | (b) 42nd Amendment Act |
| 95 | (a) I, II and III only |
| 96 | (b) Only the President can pardon a death sentence. |
| 97 | (b) I.K. Gujral |
| 98 | (a) Is not bound to give his assent if the State Legislature passes it again |
| 99 | (a) I, II, III and IV only |
| 100 | (d) Extra-constitutional in emergence, created by the Rules of Business |
Key facts from Union Executive: President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Article 52 provides for a President and Article 53 vests the executive power of the Union in him.
- The Chief Justice of India administers the oath to the President, and disputes about the election go to the Supreme Court.
- The value of the vote of an MLA of Rajasthan in the Presidential election is 129.
- The Vice President can act as President for up to six months; a Minister who is not a member of either House can serve up to six months.
- Giani Zail Singh used the pocket veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill.
- The D. C. Wadhwa case (1987) was about repeated re-promulgation of ordinances.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Union Executive: President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Cabinet?
This page has 100 practice MCQs on Union Executive: President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Cabinet (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who administers the oath to the President of India?
The Chief Justice of India, or in his absence the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court also decides any dispute regarding the election of the President under Article 71.
Who used the pocket veto and on which bill?
President Giani Zail Singh used the pocket veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, which Parliament had passed in 1986. He neither signed nor returned it, and the bill lapsed.
What did the D. C. Wadhwa case decide?
The Supreme Court held in 1987 that repeated re-promulgation of ordinances by the executive, without placing them before the Legislature, is a fraud on the Constitution and invalid. The case is the key authority on ordinance-making.