State Council of Ministers MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for State Council of Ministers - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 40.

Key Points

• The minimum number of members in the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) of a state in India is 40.
• The maximum number of members allowed in the Legislative Council is one-third of the total membership of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of that state.
• The Legislative Council is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved, but one-third of its members retire every two years.
• Currently, only a few states in India have a Legislative Council, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The establishment or abolition of a Legislative Council in a state is governed by Article 169 of the Indian Constitution.

Additional Information

• Article 169 of the Constitution:
  • Provides the procedure for the creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in states.
  • A resolution must be passed by the Legislative Assembly with a special majority to initiate the process.
• Composition of Legislative Councils:
  • Members are elected through various methods such as elections by the Legislative Assembly, local authorities, graduates, teachers, and nomination by the Governor.
• Role of Legislative Council:
  • Acts as a revisory body for the Legislative Assembly.
  • Can delay legislation but cannot permanently block bills passed by the Legislative Assembly.
• States with Legislative Councils:
  • As of now, only six states in India have Legislative Councils.
  • Efforts to create or abolish Legislative Councils are often influenced by political considerations.

The correct answer is 30.

Key Points

• The minimum age required to be a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is 30 years, as per Article 84(b) of the Indian Constitution.
• Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament of India and represents the states and union territories.
• Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the legislative assemblies of states and union territories through proportional representation.
• The qualifications to become a member include being a citizen of India and meeting the minimum age requirement of 30 years.
• Members of the Rajya Sabha serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.

Additional Information

• Council of States (Rajya Sabha)
  • The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution, unlike the Lok Sabha, but members retire in rotation.
  • The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, out of which 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social services.
  • The rest of the members are elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories.
  • It is a permanent house, ensuring continuity in legislative processes.
• Article 84 of the Indian Constitution
  • Article 84 outlines the qualifications required to be a member of Parliament in India.
  • It mandates that a candidate must be a citizen of India and meet the minimum age requirement of 25 years for Lok Sabha and 30 years for Rajya Sabha.
  • Additionally, the candidate must possess any other qualifications as prescribed by Parliament through law.
• Election Process
  • Rajya Sabha members are elected through a single transferable vote system by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies.
  • This ensures proportional representation based on the strength of political parties in the assemblies.
• Role of Rajya Sabha
  • The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in legislative scrutiny and the federal structure of India.
  • It represents the interests of states and union territories, ensuring that regional concerns are addressed at the national level.
  • It can also recommend amendments to bills passed by the Lok Sabha.

The correct answer is 238.

Key Points

• The Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is the upper house of the Parliament of India.
• It comprises a maximum of 250 members, out of which 238 are representatives of States and Union Territories.
• These 238 members are elected by the legislative assemblies of the States and Union Territories using a proportional representation system with single transferable votes.
• An additional 12 members are nominated by the President of India for their expertise in fields like literature, science, art, and social services.
• This structure ensures representation for all regions and expert voices in the legislative process.

Additional Information

• Rajya Sabha Composition:
  • The total membership cannot exceed 250 as per Article 80 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The allocation of seats to States and Union Territories is based on their population.
• Proportional Representation:
  • This system ensures that the number of seats won by a political party is proportional to the number of votes they receive.
  • The single transferable vote system allows electors to rank candidates in order of preference.
• Nominated Members:
  • The President of India nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.
  • These members are chosen for their outstanding contributions in literature, science, art, and social services.
• Tenure of Members:
  • Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
  • However, one-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity.
• Role of Rajya Sabha:
  • It acts as a revising chamber for legislation passed by the Lok Sabha.
  • It represents the interests of States and Union Territories at the national level.

The correct answer is 12.

Key Points

• As per Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India can nominate a maximum of 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States.
• These nominated members are chosen for their expertise in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
• The practice of nominating members aims to ensure that the Rajya Sabha has a diverse representation of accomplished individuals who can contribute to the legislative process.
• The President's power to nominate members is intended to bring non-partisan expertise to the legislative process, enhancing the quality of debates and discussions.

Additional Information

• Rajya Sabha:
  • Rajya Sabha is the upper house of India's bicameral Parliament, with the Lok Sabha being the lower house.
  • It represents the states and union territories of India.
  • Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, and by the members of the Electoral college for Union Territories, using single transferable votes.
• Tenure:
  • Each member of the Rajya Sabha serves a term of six years.
  • One-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity within the house.
• Qualifications:
  • A member of the Rajya Sabha must be at least 30 years old.
  • They must possess other qualifications as prescribed by Parliament.
• Role of Nominated Members:
  • The nominated members bring specialized knowledge and expertise to the legislative process.
  • They can participate in debates and discussions but do not have the right to vote in the election of the President of India.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• West Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are among the states that have abolished their Legislative Councils.
• West Bengal Legislative Council was abolished in 1969.
• Punjab Legislative Council was abolished in 1969.
• Tamil Nadu Legislative Council was abolished in 1986.

Additional Information

• Legislative Council
  • The Legislative Council is the upper house in the state legislature in India, similar to the Rajya Sabha at the national level.
  • It is intended to act as a revising chamber to check hasty legislation passed by the Legislative Assembly.
  • However, not all states in India have a Legislative Council. Currently, only 6 states have Legislative Councils: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Abolition of Legislative Council
  • The process of abolition of the Legislative Council is outlined in Article 169 of the Indian Constitution.
  • According to Article 169, Parliament may by law provide for the abolition of the Legislative Council of a state if the Legislative Assembly of the state passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting.
  • Once the resolution is passed, the Parliament can either approve or disapprove the resolution. Upon approval, the Legislative Council is abolished.

The correct answer is fifteen percent.

Key Points

•  Council of Ministers: 
  • A Minister who is a member of the house of Parliament has the right to speak and take part in proceedings of the other house of Parliament but can vote only in the house in which he is a member.
  • Under Article 75 it is clearly stated that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. 
    • It means they work as a team and swim or sink together.
    • When the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the Council of Minister the Ministers have to resign including those Ministers who are from the Rajya Sabha. 
  •  The Council of Minister can advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha on the ground that the house does not represent the views of the electorate faithfully and call for fresh elections the President may not oblige the council of the minister that has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
  • It is the duty of every Minister to stand by cabinet decisions and support them both within and outside the Parliament.
    • ​if any Minister disagrees with a cabinet decision and is not prepared to defend, he must resign. 
    • The ministers can hold office during the pleasure of the President which means that the President can remove a Minister even at a time when the Council of Ministers enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
  • There is no legal responsibility of a Minister in India.
  • The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall NOT exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State. 

The correct answer is the Chief minister.

Key Points

•  The council of ministers in a state is appointed on the advice of the Chief Minister.

• The Council of Ministers performs the following functions:

Formulation of Policies:

• The Ministers formulate the policies of the government.
• The Cabinet takes decisions on all major problems—public health, relief to the disabled and unemployed, prevention of plant diseases, water storage, land tenures and production, supply, and distribution of goods.
• When it has formulated a policy, the appropriate department carries it out.

Appointments:

• ​The Governor has the power to appoint the Advocate-General and the Members of the State Public Service Commission. The Vice-Chancellors of the State Universities and members of various Boards and Commissions are all appointed by the Governor. The Governor cannot make these appointments at his will. He must exercise these functions on the advice of his ministers.

​Control over the state exchequer:

• The State budget containing the estimates of income and expenditure for the ensuing year is placed by the Finance Minister before the State Legislature. The Legislature cannot take the initiative in the case of a Money Bill. Such a Bill must be recommended by the Governor and can be introduced only by a Minister. The initiative in financial matters lies with the Executive.

Additional Information

• The President of India is the head of the country and is elected by an Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament and of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
• The Chief Justice of India is the head of the judiciary in India and is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India.
• The Governor of a state is appointed by the President of India and is responsible for the administration of the state.
  • The Governor has certain powers and functions under the Constitution of India, including the power to appoint the Chief Minister and other ministers of the state government.

The correct answer is 1/3.

Key Points

• The total number of members of the Legislative Council of a State having a Legislative Council shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.
  • This is stated in Article 171 of the Constitution of India.
• If the Legislative Assembly of a State has 400 members, then the Legislative Council of that State cannot have more than 133 members.
• There is a minimum limit of 40 members for the Legislative Council of a State.
• This means that even if the Legislative Assembly of a State has less than 120 members, the Legislative Council of that State must have at least 40 members.
• Currently only six States in India have a Legislative Council: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Legislative Council is an upper house of the bicameral legislature in these States and Union Territories. It acts as a check on the lower house, the Legislative Assembly.

The correct answer is cannot be more than 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that state.

• The total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a state cannot be more than 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that state.

Key Points

• Article 164 (1A) provides that the strength of a council of ministers headed by the CM cannot exceed 15% of the strength of the assembly (the total number of MLAs) but it can't be less than 12 members either.
• As a real executive authority, the Chief Minister is called the head of the government.
• He is assisted by his council of ministers who are a part of the state executive along with Governor and Advocate-General of State.
• Similar to the Prime Minister who is the head of the government at the centre, the Chief Minister is the head of the government at the state level. ​
• The Chief Minister is the head of the state council of ministers. He performs the following functions
  • He recommends to the governor on who to appoint as ministers
  • He designates or reshuffles the portfolios of the ministers
  • He can ask a minister to resign
  • Meeting of the council of ministers is headed by him
  • All activities of the ministers are guided and controlled by the Chief Minister
  • If he resigns, the entire council of ministers collapses.

The correct answer is 30 years.Key Points

• Members of a State Legislative Council (MLC) must be a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, mentally sound, not insolvent, and must be enrolled voter of the state.

Important Points

• The State Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad is the upper house in those states of India that have a bicameral state legislature; the lower house being the State Legislative Assembly.
• The Legislative Council of a state is constituted as per Article 168 of the Indian Constitution.

• As per Article 171 of the Indian Constitution, the total number of Members in the Legislative council of a State shall not exceed one-third of the total number of Members in the Legislative Assembly.

• Of the total number of Members of the Legislative Council, 1/3 of Members are elected by electorates consisting of the Members of Local Authorities, 1/12 are elected by electorates consisting of graduates residing in the State, 1/12 are elected by electorates consisting of persons engaged in teaching, 1/3 are elected by the Members of Legislative Assembly and the remaining are nominated by the Governor.

The correct answer is Up to 15% of the strength of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

• According to the constitution, the Council of Ministers constitutes 15% of the total number of legislators (91st Amendment Amendment).
• The maximum number of ministers in Rajasthan is 30 which is 15% of 200.

Key Points

• The Council of Ministers in states is mentioned in Articles 163, 164, and 167.
• The Council of Ministers is headed by the Chief Minister.
• There are three classes of ministers:
  • Cabinet minister
  • Minister of State 
  • Deputy Minister
• Cabinet ministers are in charge of important departments.
• The cabinet-level group of ministers is called the cabinet ministers.
• Ministers of State are appointed to assist cabinet ministers. 
• Deputy Ministers are there to assist the State Ministers.
• Sometimes the Ministers of State are also given independent departments.

Additional Information

• Cabinet Secretariat:
  • The administrative head is the chief secretary.
  • The political head is the chief minister.

The correct answer is Jagjivan Ram.

Key Points

• Jagjivan Ram
  • He was a famous leader of the Dalit Community and also one of the founding members of the All India Depressed Classes League.
  • He was the youngest minister in the interim government of Jawaharlal Nehru and thus became the youngest cabinet of India as Labour Minister.
  • Jagjivan ram was also member a member of the Constituent Assembly where he ensured that social justice was enshrined in the constitution.
  • He was also the defence minister during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The correct answer is Ku. Meena Singh​.

Key Points

• Ku. Meena Singh Mandave is the Minister of the Scheduled Castes Welfare Department in Madhya Pradesh.
• She belongs to Bhartiya Janata Party and was elected as MLA of Manpur Vidhansabha in Umaria district.
• She took oath as a Minister of Tribal Welfare and Scheduled Caste Welfare of Madhya Pradesh under CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan's Cabinet formation on 21 April 2020.​

Additional Information

• According to the, 2011 census, the following figures have come to light:
  • While the lowest population is in the Harda district, which is 5,70,465. 
  • 5 districts having the highest population in Madhya Pradesh (in descending order) - Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Bhopal, Rewa
  • The population of Madhya Pradesh is 6% of the total population in India.
  • In MP, about 15.31 million or 21% of the state population is classified under scheduled tribes.
  • There are 46 different tribal communities, mostly concentrated in eight districts of South Madhya Pradesh namely; Dhar, Jhabua, Mandla, Khargone, Chhindwara, Seoni, Sidhi, and Shahdol.

The correct answer is 12 persons.

Key Points

• Minimum Strength: The Council must have at least 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
• It must constitute at least 10% of the state's Legislative Assembly. 
• Maximum Strength: It cannot exceed 15% of the total Assembly strength.
• This rule was introduced by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. 

Additional Information

• 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003:
  • Limit on Ministers: The Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the legislative body, but must have at least 12 ministers.
  • Anti-Defection: Strengthened the anti-defection law, disqualifying MPs/MLAs who defect from holding ministerial positions.
  • No Exemption for Splits: Removed the provision allowing splits in parties by one-third of members.
  • Disqualification: Defectors cannot be appointed to ministerial or remunerative political positions until re-elected.
  • The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly, meaning they must maintain the confidence of the majority to remain in power.
  • Each minister is responsible for their own actions and for the administration of their department.
  • Ministers are required to take an oath of office and secrecy before assuming their duties, administered by the Governor.

The Correct answer is 40.

Key Points

• The minimum strength of a State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) in India is 40 members.
• According to Article 171 of the Indian Constitution, the total number of members in the Legislative Council of a state shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that state, but it shall not be less than 40 members.
• The State Legislative Council is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire every two years.
• The creation and abolition of a State Legislative Council is decided by the Parliament of India on the basis of resolutions passed by state legislative assemblies.
• Currently, only a few Indian states have a Legislative Council, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) are elected through various constituencies: one-third are elected by members of the Legislative Assembly, one-third by municipalities and district boards, one-twelfth by university graduates, one-twelfth by teachers, and the remaining are nominated by the Governor.

Additional Information

• Article 169: Empowers Parliament to create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state if the Legislative Assembly of the state passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.
• State Legislative Councils serve as the upper houses in the bicameral system of state legislatures, similar to the Rajya Sabha at the national level.
• The roles and functions of State Legislative Councils include reviewing and delaying legislation passed by the Legislative Assembly, and they also provide a forum for members with specialized knowledge to contribute to legislative processes.