Ans:  A

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct: The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary system of government in the centre and states that the Council of Ministers is headed by the Chief Minister; the real (De-facto) executive authority is our politico-administrative system of state. The System of the Council of Ministers is codified and mentioned in the Indian Constitution, inspired by the portfolio system started by Lord Canning in 1861.

Statement 2 is correct: As there are similarities in terms of policy formulation, administration, and decision-making, the Council of Ministers at the Centre and in the states. The Council of Ministers in the states is constituted and functions in the same way as the Council of Ministers at the Centre.

Statement 3 is incorrect: In S.R. Chauhan vs. State of Punjab (2001), the Supreme Court held that a non-member cannot be re-appointed without being elected. However, any person can also become a member of the Council of Ministers for a maximum of six months without being elected as the member of the State legislature.

Ans: C

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct: Part VI of the Constitution deals with the State government. The Chief Minister holds the highest position in the State Executive and is the head of the State Council of Ministers; hence, the State Council of Ministers works under the direction of the Chief Minister.

Statement 2 is incorrect: As per Article 163 (not the State Legislature Conduct Rule), the Governor is assisted and advised in carrying out his duties by a Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, unless the Governor is required by or according to the Constitution to exercise  any of his duties at his discretion.

Statement 3 is correct: The 91st Amendment to the Constitution, which came into effect in 2004, added Clause 1(A) to Article 75 of the Constitution. It limited the size of the Council of Ministers in the States to not more than 15 percent of the numbers in the  State Legislature.  i.e., the total number of ministers in a state’s Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot be greater than 15% of the state’s Legislative Assembly.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct:  As per Article 164, the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor, and the other ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister; hence, the ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.

Statement 2 is correct:  As per Article 177, every minister shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of the Assembly (and also the Council where it exists) and any Committee of the State Legislature of which he may be named a member. But he will not be entitled to vote.

Statement 3 is incorrect: 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 the requirements of the situation. According to the 91st Amendment Act of 2003, the size of the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the state legislative assembly .

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement-I is correct: A smaller body called the cabinet is the nucleus of the council of ministers in the state. It consists of only the cabinet ministers. It is the real centre of authority in the state government. The composition and structure of state cabinets can vary from state to state as political parties come into power, elections take place, or governments reorganise their administrative structures.

It performs the following role such as :

• It is the highest decision-making authority in the political-administrative system of a state. Hence, Statement-II is correct
• It is the chief policy formulating body of the state government.
• It is the supreme executive authority of the state government.
• It is the chief coordinator of state administration.
• It is an advisory body to the governor.
• It is the chief crisis manager and thus deals with all emergency situations.
• It deals with all major legislative and financial matters.
• It exercises control over higher appointments like constitutional authorities and senior secretariat administrators.

Ans: B

Exp:

To amend the Indian Constitution and its procedure, a special majority of the Parliament is required, which means a two-thirds majority of the members of each House present and voting, and a majority of the total membership of each House. Additionally, the amendment must be ratified by a simple majority in half of the total states.  This procedure ensures that constitutional amendments are not easily passed, as they require broad support at both the central and state levels to reflect the federal nature of the Indian Constitution. The following are the provisions that require a special majority of the Parliament along with the consent of half of the state legislatures by a simple majority: 

• • Election of the President and its manner 
  • Extent of the executive power of the Union and the states
  • Supreme Court and high courts. 
  • Distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the states.
  • Goods and Services Tax Council
  • Any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule
  • Representation of states in Parliament
• Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure (Article 368 itself).