Q31. In the D.C. Wadhwa case (1987), the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment concerning:
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 31–40 of 100 questions
Q32. Article 66 of the Constitution of India deals with the election of the Vice President. The Electoral College for this election consists of:
Explanation
The electoral college for the Vice-President is different from that of the President. It consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament, encompassing both elected and nominated members. Unlike the presidential election, members of the state legislative assemblies do not participate. The election is conducted through a secret ballot using the system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote.
Q33. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Constitutional Articles | Provisions concerning the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers |
|---|---|
| A. Article 74 | i. Duties of Prime Minister in respect to furnishing information to the President |
| B. Article 75 | ii. Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
| C. Article 78 | iii. Other provisions as to Ministers, including collective responsibility |
| D. Article 352 | iv. Mention of the word ‘Cabinet’ |
Explanation
Article 74 establishes the Council of Ministers to advise the President. Article 75 outlines the appointment of ministers and their collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha. Article 78 specifies the Prime Minister’s duty to inform the President about administrative and legislative matters. Article 352 is notable as the only place where the term ‘Cabinet’ is explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution text.
Q34. Which of the following is NOT an essential qualification for a person to be eligible for election as Vice-President?
Explanation
To be eligible for the Vice-Presidency, a person must be an Indian citizen, at least thirty-five years old, and not hold an office of profit. A specific requirement is that the candidate must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha. This differs from the President, who must be qualified for election to the Lok Sabha instead.
Q35. Consider the following Cabinet Committees and their usual Chairpersons:
I. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet - Prime Minister
II. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs - Prime Minister
III. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs - Prime Minister
IV. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation - Minister of Home Affairs
Which of the above pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
I. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet - Prime Minister
II. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs - Prime Minister
III. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs - Prime Minister
IV. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation - Minister of Home Affairs
Which of the above pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional bodies that handle specific areas of governance. The Prime Minister usually chairs the most powerful committees, such as the Appointments Committee, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation is typically chaired by the Home Minister. These committees help reduce the workload of the Union Cabinet.
Q36. If a resolution for the removal of the Vice President is to be passed, it must originate in:
Explanation
The Vice-President can be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha with an effective majority. This resolution must then be agreed to by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority. Crucially, such a resolution can only originate in the Rajya Sabha. At least fourteen days’ notice must be given before the resolution can be moved in the upper house.
Q37. While the Vice-President acts as President of India, he:
Explanation
When the Vice-President discharges the functions of the President, he ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. During this period, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha performs those duties instead. The Vice-President receives the salary and allowances of the President rather than those of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for the entire discharge duration.
Q38. The Prime Minister of India is:
Explanation
According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. In accordance with parliamentary conventions, the President invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha to form the government. The Prime Minister serves as the head of the Council of Ministers and the real executive authority. This appointment is fundamental to the functioning of parliamentary democracy.
Q39. Consider the following functions and powers of the Prime Minister of India:
I. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President.
II. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
III. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him.
IV. He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
V. His resignation automatically brings about the collapse of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President.
II. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
III. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him.
IV. He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
V. His resignation automatically brings about the collapse of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The Prime Minister exercises significant authority over the Council of Ministers. He recommends ministerial appointments to the President, allocates portfolios, and presides over meetings. He can request a minister’s resignation or advise their dismissal. Most importantly, the Prime Minister’s resignation or death leads to the automatic dissolution of the entire Council of Ministers, as he is the government’s central figure.
Q40. According to the Constitution, what is the maximum permissible strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Government?
Explanation
The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 established a ceiling on the size of the Council of Ministers. It stipulates that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha. This provision was introduced to curb the practice of forming jumbo-sized cabinets.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) The frequent repromulgation of ordinances by the executive |
| 32 | (b) Elected and nominated members of both Houses of Parliament |
| 33 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv |
| 34 | (a) He must be qualified for election to the Lok Sabha |
| 35 | (d) I, II, III and IV |
| 36 | (d) The Rajya Sabha only |
| 37 | (c) Ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. |
| 38 | (b) Appointed by the President |
| 39 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 40 | (a) 15% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha |
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.