Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Cabinet Committee are institutional arrangement to reduce the workload of the Cabinet. They are extra-constitutional in emergence. In other words, they are not mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Rules of Business provide for their establishment.

Statement 2 is incorrect: They are set up by the Prime Minister (not President) according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation. Hence, their number, nomenclature, and composition vary from time to time.

Reference: Laxmikant, Chapter 22

Ans: C

Exp:

In the Indian government, several Cabinet committees are headed by the Prime Minister. These committees play a crucial role in decision-making and policy formulation. Some of the key Cabinet committees chaired by the Prime Minister include:

• The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs. it is  Headed by Prime Minister, it is also described as “Super cabinet” as it is the most important of all.  It also deal with problems relating to centre-state relations and  consider economic and political issues which have to be judged with a wider perspective.
• The Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates governmental activities in the economic sphere. It is Headed by Prime Minister. ,Its function is supposed to review economic trends, problems and prospects,to evolve a consistent and integrated economic policy,The committee coordinates all activities requiring policy decisions at the highest level. It  Deals with fixation of prices of agricultural produce and prices of essential commodities,Committee considers proposals for investment of more than Rs 1,000 cr .The committee  deals with industrial licensing policies , reviews rural development and the Public Distribution System , considers issues relating to disinvestment, and decides on issues pertaining to the World Trade Organization.

• The Appointments Committee decides all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions. 

The Parliamentary Affairs Committee, chaired by the Home Minister of India. He looks after the progress of government business in Parliament. It draws up the schedule for Parliament sessions and monitors the progress of government business in Parliament. It scrutinises non-government business and decides which official Bills and resolutions are to be presented. It reviews legislations undertaken by State Legislatures from an all-India point of view and considers proposals to summon or discontinue the Houses of Parliament.

Reference: Laxmikant, Chapter 22

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Cabinet committees are mostly headed by the Prime Minister. Sometimes other Cabinet Ministers, particularly the Home Minister or the Finance Minister, also act as their Chairman.  Hence, the prime minister is not an ex-officio head of these committees, But in case the Prime Minister is a member of a committee, he invariably presides over it.

Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect: Cabinet committees usually include only Cabinet Ministers. However, the non-cabinet Ministers are not barred from their membership. They not only include the Ministers in charge of subjects covered by them but also include other senior Ministers.

Reference: Laxmikant, Chapter 22

Ans: A

Exp:

Pair 1 is incorrect: The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs.  It is  Headed by the Prime Minister; it is also described as the “Super cabinet,” as it is the most important of all.  It also deals with problems relating to centre-state relations and considers economic and political issues which have to be judged with a wider perspective.

Pair 2 is incorrect: The Parliamentary Affairs Committee looks after the progress of government business in the Parliament. It is headed by the Union Home Minister; it draws the schedule for Parliament sessions and monitors the progress of government business in Parliament. It scrutinizes non-government business and decides which official Bills and resolutions are to be presented.

Pair 3 is correct: The Appointments Committee decides all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.

Reference: Laxmikant, Chapter 22

Ans: A

Exp:

The political affairs committee is often described as the “Super cabinet,” as it is the most important of all. It is headed by the Prime Minister. It deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs. The CCPA  also deals with policy matters concerning foreign affairs that do not have external or internal security implications, as matters with such implications are required to be dealt with by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). It also deals with problems relating to centre-state relations. To consider economic and political issues that have to be judged from a wider perspective.

Reference: Laxmikant, Chapter 22