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Q44 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance › Union Executive › Powers of Prime Minister Official Key

Consider the following statements : 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?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D because both statements are incorrect.

The Constitution vests the executive power of the Union in the President, not the Prime Minister[3]. In reality, the President exercises these powers through the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister[3], but constitutionally, the executive power is formally vested in the President under Article 53.

Regarding the second statement, the Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board,[5] not the Prime Minister[4]. The Cabinet Secretary, as the administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat, holds this position.

Therefore, since Statement 1 incorrectly attributes executive power to the Prime Minister instead of the President, and Statement 2 incorrectly identifies the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Civil Services Board instead of the Cabinet Secretary, neither statement is correct.

Sources
  1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > 2. Powers and Duties of the President > p. 209
  2. [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 200
  3. [3] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > PARLIAMENTARY EXECUTIVE IN INDIA > p. 84
  4. [4] https://cabsec.gov.in/aboutus/functions/
  5. [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_Secretary_(India)
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
56%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister i…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

Statement 1 is a fundamental Constitutional check (Article 53); if you miss this, you are out of the race. Statement 2 tests the hierarchy of the Permanent Executive vs. Political Executive. The strategy is to memorize the 'Ex-officio Chairmen' list for all major bodies (NITI, Zonal Councils, CSB, ISC).

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Under the Constitution of India, in whom is the executive power of the Union vested?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > 2. Powers and Duties of the President > p. 209
Presence: 5/5
“The Constitution says that the "executive power of the ~~t~:~~!:~:e~~wers Union shall be vested in the President" [Article 53]. The President of India shall thus be the head of the "executive power" of the Union. The "executive power" primarily means the execution Of the laws enacted by the Legislature, but the business of the Executive in a modern State is not as simple as it was in the days of Aristotle. Owing to the manifold expansion of the functions of the State, all residuary functions have practically passed into the hands of the Executive. The executive power may, therefore, be shortly defined as "the power of carrying on the business of government" or "the administration".”
Why this source?
  • Directly quotes Article 53: 'the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President'.
  • Explicitly identifies the President as the head of the 'executive power' of the Union.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 200
Presence: 5/5
“common between the form of government prevalent in America and the form of government adopted under the Indian Constitution. The American form of government is called the presidential system of government, and what the Indian Constitution adopted is the parliamentary system. Under the presidential system of America, the President is the chief head of the Executive and administration is vested in him. In estimating the constitutional position of the President, particular reference has to be made to the provisions of Articles 53, 74 and 75. These are: • 1. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in President and shall be exercised by him/her either directly or through officers subordinate to him / her in accordance with this Constitution (Article 53). • 2.”
Why this source?
  • States Article 53 wording that the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
  • Clarifies that this power may be exercised by the President directly or through subordinate officers, reinforcing vesting in the President.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > PARLIAMENTARY EXECUTIVE IN INDIA > p. 84
Presence: 4/5
“and the Council of Ministers, which run the government at the national level. At the State level, the executive comprises the Governor and the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers. The Constitution of India vests the executive power of the Union formally in the President. In reality, the President exercises these powers through the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The President is elected for a period of five years. But there is no direct election by the people for the office of President. The President is elected indirectly. This means that the president is elected not by the ordinary citizens but by the elected MLAs and MPs.”
Why this source?
  • Confirms the Constitution vests executive power of the Union formally in the President.
  • Adds practical context that the President exercises these powers through the Council of Ministers, but the vesting remains with the President.
Statement 2
Under Government of India rules, is the Prime Minister of India the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The administrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board."
Why this source?
  • Direct official wording stating who is ex‑officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
  • Names the Cabinet Secretary (not the Prime Minister) as the ex‑officio Chairman, contradicting the statement.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The cabinet secretary is the *ex-officio* head of the Civil Services Board,"
Why this source?
  • States the Cabinet Secretary is the ex‑officio head of the Civil Services Board.
  • Shows the Cabinet Secretary (under the Prime Minister) holds that ex‑officio role, implying the Prime Minister is not the ex‑officio Chairman.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly asserts that the Prime Minister is the ex‑officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board, directly supporting the statement.
  • Represents a conflicting claim compared with official and other sources above.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Chairman of Ra;ya Sabha > p. 233
Strength: 4/5
“The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is known as the Chairman. The Vice-President of India is the ex.-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. During any period when the Vice-President acts as President or discharges the functions of the President, he/she does not perform the duties of the office of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The office of the Rajya Sabha can be removed from his/ her office only if he/she is removed from the office of the Vice-President. As a presiding officer, the powers and functions of the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha are similar to those of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha.”
Why relevant

Shows a precedent: the Vice‑President is explicitly the ex‑officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, illustrating that high constitutional offices can carry ex‑officio chairmanships.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to check whether statutes/rules establishing the Civil Services Board similarly name a high officeholder (e.g., the PM) as ex‑officio chair.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 249
Strength: 4/5
“shall ex·officio be the Chail'manof the Council of States ,and shall preside over that House and shall function as the Presiding Officer of that House so long as Chairman. he does not officiate as the Presidc:nt of India during a casual vacancy in that office. When the Chairman acts as the President of India, the Office of the Chairman of the Council of States falls vacant and the duties of the office of the Chairman shall be performed by the Deputy Chairman. The Chairman may be removed from his office only if he is removed from the office of the Vice-President, the procedure for which has already been stated.”
Why relevant

Another explicit example of an ex‑officio chairmanship (Chairman of Council of States) tied to a constitutional office, reinforcing the rule/pattern.

How to extend

Use this rule to guide a search in Government rules for language 'ex‑officio Chairman' when examining the Civil Services Board's constitution.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > Special position of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers. > p. 229
Strength: 4/5
“• (b) He has the power of selecting the other Ministers and also advising the Crown to dismiss any of them individually, or require any of them to resign. Virtually, thus. the other Ministers hold office at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. • (c) The allocation of business amongst the Ministers is a function of the Prime Minister. He can also transfer a Minister from one Department to another. • (d) He is the chairman of the Cabinet, summons its meetings and presides over them. In India, all these special powers will belong to the Prime Minister inasmuch as the conventions relating to Cabinet Government are~ in general, applicable.”
Why relevant

Describes the Prime Minister's formal role as chairman of the Cabinet, showing the PM does serve as chairperson of important executive bodies.

How to extend

A student can generalize that the PM is often designated chair of central executive bodies and so should check whether Government rules similarly designate the PM for the Civil Services Board.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > 6.14 Indian Economy > p. 144
Strength: 5/5
“• Maximum 04 members from among Union Council of Ministers (nominated by the 6. Prime Minister) as ex-officio members. • 7. Special Invitees nominated by the PM (includes Experts, Specialists, Practitioners with domain knowledge). • Secretariat, as deemed necessary. 8. • The Governing Council of NITI Aayog comprises of the Chief Ministers of States and Ø. Lt. Governors of UTs as members and is headed by the Prime Minister”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete modern example where the Prime Minister is explicitly head of a body (Governing Council of NITI Aayog) and nominates ex‑officio members, showing how Government rules assign roles to the PM.

How to extend

Compare the enabling rules/notifications of the Civil Services Board to the NITI Aayog/Governing Council instruments to see if the PM is named as ex‑officio chair.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 30: THE SERVICES AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONS > CHAP. 3D] THE SERVICES AND PUBIC SERVICE COMMISSIONS 439 > p. 441
Strength: 3/5
“Thus, on ceasing to hold office - Prohibition as to the (a) The Chairman of the Union Public Service holding of offices by Commission shall be ineligible for further employment Members ofCommission on ceasing to be Government of a State; such Members. (b) the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the .Chairman or any other member of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of any other State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State; (c) a member other than the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a state; (d) a member other than the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any other member of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of that or any other State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.”
Why relevant

Explains statutory/constitutional constraints and appointment/eligibility rules for chairmen of public service commissions, indicating that specific statutes govern who may hold such offices.

How to extend

Suggests a student should consult the specific rules or notification that constitute the Civil Services Board to see if it prescribes the PM as ex‑officio chair or restricts who can be chairman.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently swaps 'President' with 'Prime Minister' in constitutional statements and 'Prime Minister' with 'Cabinet Secretary/Home Minister' in administrative bodies. Always verify the 'Head' of any organization mentioned.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter + Trap. Statement 1 is direct from Article 53 (Laxmikanth Ch: President). Statement 2 is a standard Administrative GK fact often confused with the PM's role.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The Union Executive. Specifically, the separation between the 'Head of State' (President), 'Head of Government' (PM), and 'Head of Civil Services' (Cabinet Secretary).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Chairpersons: 1. NITI Aayog/NDC/Inter-State Council/NDMA -> PM. 2. Zonal Councils -> Home Minister. 3. Civil Services Board -> Cabinet Secretary. 4. Rajya Sabha -> Vice President. 5. Lok Sabha -> Speaker.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about a body, ask: Is it a Constitutional body or a bureaucratic board? Boards dealing with service matters (CSB) are usually headed by the top bureaucrat (Cabinet Secretary), not the PM.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Article 53 — Vesting of Union executive in the President
💡 The insight

All core references cite or paraphrase Article 53 which explicitly vests the executive power of the Union in the President.

High-yield constitutional provision: frequently tested directly (who holds executive power) and indirectly (roles/powers of President). Connects to study of Articles 53–75. Master by memorising the Article text and its immediate implications for administration and rule-making.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > 2. Powers and Duties of the President > p. 209
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 200
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Constitution of India, in whom is the executive power of the Union ves..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Formal (constitutional) head vs. real executive (Council of Ministers)
💡 The insight

Several references contrast formal vesting in the President with actual exercise through the Council of Ministers (Article 74 context).

Critical for UPSC: questions often ask about President's role in practice vs. theory, aid-and-advice doctrine, and collective responsibility. Learn by linking Articles 53, 74, 75 and landmark judicial interpretations; practise case-based questions to apply the distinction.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > Indian President compared with American President and English Crown. > p. 231
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > PARLIAMENTARY EXECUTIVE IN INDIA > p. 84
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Constitution of India, in whom is the executive power of the Union ves..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Exercise of executive power — direct or through subordinate officers
💡 The insight

References note that Article 53 allows the President to exercise executive power directly or via subordinate officers, clarifying constitutional mechanism of administration.

Useful for questions on administrative structure, delegation of executive authority, and distribution between Union and States. Study by mapping Articles that permit delegation and examples of subordinate agencies/officers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 18: President > 200 ,yj' lndian Polity > p. 200
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 24: DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS > Distribution of Execlltive Powers. > p. 381
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Constitution of India, in whom is the executive power of the Union ves..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Ex‑officio offices in Indian polity
💡 The insight

Several references explicitly use 'ex‑officio' for presiding offices (e.g., Vice‑President as Chairman of Rajya Sabha) and for membership/appointments in bodies headed by the PM.

High‑yield for UPSC because many questions test which constitutional or statutory posts are held ex‑officio (who automatically occupies which chair). It connects to understanding institutional design and appointment rules. Expect direct factual questions and match‑the‑following items; revise lists and authoritative sources. Use tabulation (office → ex‑officio holder → basis) to memorise.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Chairman of Ra;ya Sabha > p. 233
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > 6.14 Indian Economy > p. 144
🔗 Anchor: "Under Government of India rules, is the Prime Minister of India the ex officio C..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Prime Minister: functional head and chairing roles
💡 The insight

References describe the PM as chair of the Cabinet/Council of Ministers and head of bodies like the NITI Aayog Governing Council.

Very relevant: UPSC frequently asks about the PM's formal and de facto powers, chairmanships, and institutional roles. Helps answer questions on allocation of business, chairing of councils, and executive leadership. Study constitutional text plus statutory rules/organisational charters to distinguish where PM is ex‑officio chair versus where chairmanship is separate.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > Special position of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers. > p. 229
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > 6.14 Indian Economy > p. 144
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > PRIME MINISTER AND COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 90
🔗 Anchor: "Under Government of India rules, is the Prime Minister of India the ex officio C..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Doctrine of pleasure and civil service tenure
💡 The insight

The question concerns civil services governance; evidence includes the doctrine that civil servants hold office during the President's/ Governor's pleasure.

Important for answering questions on civil service appointments, removals and safeguards (Article 310 and related rules). UPSC often frames scenario‑based questions on tenure, removals, and exceptions to 'pleasure'. Focus on constitutional provisions, exceptions, and administrative rules governing services.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 74: Public Services > Tenure of Office (Doctrine of Pleasure) > p. 548
🔗 Anchor: "Under Government of India rules, is the Prime Minister of India the ex officio C..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since they asked about the Civil Services Board (Cabinet Secretary), the next logical question is about the 'Appointments Committee of the Cabinet' (ACC). The ACC is headed by the Prime Minister, but it decides based on recommendations often processed by the CSB/Establishment Officer.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Hierarchy Heuristic'. The Civil Services Board handles transfers and postings of bureaucrats. The Prime Minister is the political head of the country; he does not sit as the 'Chairman' of a bureaucratic 'Board'. That role fits the highest bureaucrat (Cabinet Secretary). Statement 1 is eliminated by basic Article 53 knowledge.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connects to GS-2 'Role of Civil Services in a Democracy'. The Cabinet Secretary acting as head of the CSB represents the institutional integrity of the 'Permanent Executive', distinct from the 'Political Executive' (PM).

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2007 · Q7 Relevance score: 7.59

Consider the following statements 1. The Union Executive consists of the President and the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head. 2. The President may, by writing under his hand-addressed to the Vice-President, resign his office. 3. Executive power of the Union is vested in the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct/

CDS-I · 2008 · Q94 Relevance score: 7.48

Consider the following statements 1. The Union Executive consists of the President and the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head. 2. The President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice-President, resign his office. 3. Executive power of the Union is vested in the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct/

CAPF · 2008 · Q39 Relevance score: 6.47

Consider the following statements : 1. The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission. 2. The Union Finance Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Finance Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2013 · Q93 Relevance score: 5.61

Consider the following statements: 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?

CDS-I · 2017 · Q94 Relevance score: 5.53

Which of the following statements relating to the powers of the President of India is/are correct? 1. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President. 2. The executive power shall be exercised by the President only through officers subordinate to him. 3. The supreme command of the defence forces of the Union shall be vested in the President. Select the correct answer using the code given below.