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Q84 (IAS/2022) Polity & Governance › Union Executive › Union Council of Ministers Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister. 2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does not define or classify the ranks of ministers. While Article 74 mentions a Council of Ministers and Article 75 outlines their appointment, the four-fold classification (Cabinet, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister) is based on British parliamentary conventions and the Rules of Business, not constitutional provisions.

Statement 2 is correct: This provision was inserted by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. It added Clause (1A) to Article 75, which explicitly mandates that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This was intended to prevent jumbo cabinets and ensure administrative efficiency.

Therefore, only the second statement is factually and constitutionally accurate.

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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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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 Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister…
At a glance
Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'Source Authority' trap. UPSC loves asking if a well-known practice (like ministerial ranks) is explicitly written in the Constitution or just a convention. Statement 1 tests your precision on 'Constitutional text vs. Administrative practice', while Statement 2 is a standard static fact from the 91st Amendment.

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
Does the Constitution of India classify Union ministers into four ranks: Cabinet Minister, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Minister of State, and Deputy Minister?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 332
Strength: 5/5
“The Constitution does not specify the size of the state council of ministers or the ranking of ministers. They are determined by the chief minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation. Like at the Centre, in the states too, the council of ministers consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers. The difference between them lies in their respective ranks, emoluments, and political importance. At the top of all these ministers stands the chief minister, supreme governing authority in the state. At times, the council of ministers may also include a deputy chief minister.”
Why relevant

Explicitly states the Constitution does not specify the size or ranking of state ministers and then describes three categories (cabinet ministers, ministers of state, deputy ministers).

How to extend

A student could generalise that constitutional silence on ranking at state level may imply a similar silence at the Union level and thus check Union-specific constitutional text or practice.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 216
Strength: 5/5
“The council of ministers consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers. The difference between them lies in their respective ranks, emoluments, and political importance. At the top of all these ministers stands the Prime Minister—the supreme governing authority of the country. At times, the council of ministers may also include a deputy prime minister. The deputy prime ministers are appointed mostly for political reasons. The Cabinet ministers head the important ministries of the Central government like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs and so forth. They are members of the cabinet, attend its meetings and play an important role in deciding policies.”
Why relevant

Says the council of ministers (Central) consists of three categories: cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.

How to extend

Use this rule to suspect that a four-tier classification is not constitutionally prescribed at the Centre and then examine statutory/administrative sources for 'independent charge' usage.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2022 TEST PAPER > p. 762
Strength: 4/5
“When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 4. Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister. 2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.”
Why relevant

Contains the exact four-rank formulation as a proposition in an examination question, showing the claim exists in secondary sources/practice as an asserted classification.

How to extend

Treat this as an example of a commonly asserted list and cross-check primary constitutional provisions or official lists to verify if it is constitutional or doctrinal.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 16: Inter State Relations > INTER-STATE COUNCILS > p. 169
Strength: 4/5
“169 • (iv) Administrators of union territories not having legislative assemblies • (v) Governors of States under President's rule • (vi) Six Central cabinet ministers, including the home minister, to be nominated by the Prime Minister. Five Ministers of Cabinet rank / Minister of State (independent charge) nominated by the Chairman of the Council (i.e., Prime Minister) are permanent invitees to the Council. The council is a recommendatory body on issues relating to inter-state, Centre-state and Centre-union territories relations. It aims at promoting coordination between them by examining, discussing and deliberating on such issues.”
Why relevant

Uses the term 'Minister of State (independent charge)' when describing permanent invitees to an inter‑state council, evidencing that the phrase is used in practice/administrative contexts.

How to extend

A student could infer that 'independent charge' is an administrative/political designation (not necessarily constitutional) and then check constitutional text for an explicit mention.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > Table of Precedence > p. 713
Strength: 4/5
“Chief Justice of India Speaker of Lok Sabha • 7. Cabinet Ministers of the Union Chief Ministers of States within their respective States Vice-Chairperson, NITI Aayog Former Prime Ministers Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha • ? A. Holders of Bharat Ratna decoration Chief Ministers of States outside their respective States Governors of States outside their respective States | 9. Judges of Supreme Court | 9A. Chairperson, Union Public Service Commission | Chief Election Commissioner | Comptroller & Auditor General of India | 10. Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha | Deputy Chief Ministers of States | Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha | Members of the NITI Aayog | Ministers of State of the Union (and any other Minister in the Ministry of Defence for defence matters) | 11 .”
Why relevant

Table of precedence distinguishes 'Cabinet Ministers of the Union' and 'Ministers of State of the Union', indicating practical ranking distinctions in protocol.

How to extend

Combine this protocol-based distinction with the constitutional silence noted above to hypothesize that ranking may be conventional/iofficial rather than constitutionally mandated.

Statement 2
Does the Constitution of India limit the total number of Union Government ministers, including the Prime Minister, to not exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Article 75-O ther Provisions as to Ministers > p. 213
Presence: 5/5
“Article 75-Other Provisions as to Ministers 1. The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. • 2. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.• 3. A member of either house of Parliament belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states: 'The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.'
  • Identifies the constitutional source as Article 75 (Other Provisions as to Ministers).
  • Notes this limit was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003, giving historical/legal origin.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > Size of the Council of Ministers > p. 91
Presence: 5/5
“Before the 91st Amendment Act (2003), the size of the Council of Ministers was determined according to exigencies of time and requirements of the situation. But this led to very large size of the Council of Ministers. Besides, when no party had a clear majority, there was a temptation to win over the support of the members of the Parliament by giving them ministerial positions as there was no restriction on the number of the members of the Council of Ministers. This was happening in many States also. Therefore, an amendment was made that the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of total number of members of the House of the People (or Assembly, in the case of the States).”
Why this source?
  • Explains the change introduced by the 91st Amendment that the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total members of the House of the People.
  • Provides contextual rationale for the cap (to prevent excessively large ministries and opportunistic appointments).
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Article 75-Others Provisions as to Ministers > p. 213
Presence: 5/5
“Article 75-Other Provisions as to Ministers 1. The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. • 2. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.• 3. A member of either house of Parliament belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister.”
Why this source?
  • Reiterates Article 75 provision that the total number of ministers including the PM shall not exceed 15% of Lok Sabha strength.
  • Reinforces that the 91st Amendment introduced this provision.
Pattern takeaway: The 'Constitutional Validity' filter is a recurring theme. UPSC takes a functional reality (like 4 ranks of ministers) and falsely attributes it to the Constitution. Always verify the legal root of administrative hierarchies.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for careful readers, Trap for skimmers. Source: Laxmikanth Ch 21 (Central Council of Ministers) & NCERT Class XI.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The distinction between Constitutional Provisions (Articles) and Parliamentary Conventions/Rules of Business.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 91st Amendment nuances: (1) Cap is 15% of Lower House, not Parliament; (2) For States, minimum strength is 12 ministers (Art 164), but for Union, NO minimum is specified; (3) 'Cabinet' is mentioned only once in Art 352 (added by 44th AA); (4) Kitchen Cabinet is extra-constitutional.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Whenever you read a feature of the Indian political system (e.g., Leader of Opposition, Whip, Caretaker Govt), immediately tag it: Is it in the Constitution? In a Statute? Or just a Convention? This label is a favorite UPSC swap.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Council of Ministers: three formal categories
💡 The insight

The Union council is described in study material as consisting of cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.

High-yield for questions on composition of executive: explains commonly tested distinctions among ministerial posts and helps answer items on hierarchy, roles, and Cabinet membership. Connects to Centre–state comparisons and precedes questions on portfolio allocation and cabinet decision-making.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 216
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 216
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India classify Union ministers into four ranks: Cabinet..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constitutional silence on ministerial size and ranking
💡 The insight

The Constitution does not prescribe the size or formal ranking of the council of ministers; these are determined by political/administrative needs.

Important for tackling questions about constitutional limits and conventions—clarifies why practice (ranks, numbers) varies across governments and why Articles dealing with status and appointment are broadly framed. Useful for essay and mains answers on conventions vs written provisions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 332
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS > p. 332
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India classify Union ministers into four ranks: Cabinet..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Minister of State (Independent Charge) as an administrative designation
💡 The insight

Minister of State (Independent Charge) appears as a practical category used alongside cabinet ministers in official arrangements and committee invitations.

Helps distinguish constitutional prescription from administrative practice—useful in prelims and mains to explain functional classifications, table of precedence, and why certain posts are treated differently in committees and councils.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 16: Inter State Relations > INTER-STATE COUNCILS > p. 169
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > Table of Precedence > p. 713
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India classify Union ministers into four ranks: Cabinet..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 15% cap on size of Council of Ministers (91st Amendment, 2003)
💡 The insight

The Constitution (via Article 75 as amended) imposes a 15% ceiling on the number of ministers including the Prime Minister.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about post-amendment limits on executive composition and the legal basis for reforms; connects to topics on constitutional amendments, executive size, and parliamentary practice. Mastering this enables answering questions on limits on Union and State ministerial strength and on reforms to executive accountability.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Article 75-O ther Provisions as to Ministers > p. 213
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > Size of the Council of Ministers > p. 91
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India limit the total number of Union Government minist..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Article 75 — appointment and other provisions for ministers
💡 The insight

Article 75 governs appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers and contains the provision limiting ministerial numbers.

Essential to link textual Articles with practical executive arrangements; helps solve polity questions about appointment, collective responsibility, and statutory limits. Knowing Article 75 supports tackling questions on ministerial eligibility, appointment procedures, and constraints introduced by amendments.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Article 75-O ther Provisions as to Ministers > p. 213
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 20: Prime Minister > APPOINTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER > p. 207
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India limit the total number of Union Government minist..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Extension of ministerial ceiling concept to States
💡 The insight

The 15% ceiling principle applies to both the Union Council of Ministers and to State Councils of Ministers (House of the People / Assemblies).

Useful for comparative questions between Union and State executives and for questions on federal distribution of powers and administrative reform; enables answering items asking whether limits apply only to the Union or also to States.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > Size of the Council of Ministers > p. 91
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Constitution of India limit the total number of Union Government minist..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

While the Union has a 15% cap with no minimum floor, Article 164(1A) for States mandates a 15% cap BUT with a hard floor: the number of ministers in a State shall not be less than 12. UPSC will likely swap these conditions in a future question.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Rigidity Test'. Constitutions generally create broad offices (President, PM, Council). They rarely micromanage administrative hierarchies (like 'Minister of State with Independent Charge'). If a statement claims the Constitution defines a complex HR hierarchy, it is highly likely False.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect the 15% cap (91st Amendment) to GS-2 Governance: 'Jumbo Cabinets'. This amendment was a structural reform to curb political patronage and reduce the fiscal burden of coalition politics, directly linking to the strengthening of the Anti-Defection Law.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2009 · Q112 Relevance score: 4.05

With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily the sitting members of Lok Sabha only. 2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NDA-II · 2016 · Q96 Relevance score: 2.55

Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in India is correct ?

IAS · 2009 · Q61 Relevance score: 2.43

With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements : 1. The Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are created by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary. 2. Each of the Ministries is assigned to a Minister by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2013 · Q93 Relevance score: 2.39

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?

NDA-I · 2008 · Q70 Relevance score: 2.35

Consider the following statements: 1. Salary and allowances of the Speaker of Lok Sabha are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India 2. In the Warrant of precedence, the Speaker of Lok Sabha ranks higher than all the Union Cabinet Ministers other than Prime Minister Which of the statements given above is/are correct?