What can be the minimum strength of Council of Ministers including Chief Minister in the States?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPPSC Civil Services General Studies Official paper-I 2020

Answer 1

The correct answer is 12.

Key Points

The minimum strength of council of ministers in a state as per Constitution (91st Constitutional Amendment Act) is 12 and the maximum is 15 per cent of Legislative Assembly.
The President of India does not have existed without the council of ministers, but Governor has (at the time of the President’s rule).
Article 163: Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor.
Article 164: Other provisions as to Ministers
Article 164 (1A): The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.