ICSE Class 10 · Chapter 4

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers ICSE Class 10: Notes and Answers

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers, which holds the real executive power of the Union. ICSE Class 10 tests how the PM and ministers are appointed, their tenure, the functions of the Council, the PM's position and powers, collective and individual responsibility, and the distinction between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.

What Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is about

The President is the nominal head of the executive; the Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister is the real executive. Article 74 says there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head to aid and advise the President, who acts in accordance with that advice.

The chapter covers: how the Prime Minister and the other ministers are appointed and how long they stay; the three ranks of ministers; the functions of the Council (policy making, administrative, legislative, financial and emergency); the position and powers of the Prime Minister, best learned in relation to the Council of Ministers, the President and Parliament; collective and individual responsibility; and the difference between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.

CISCE examiners' comments show three recurring problems: mixing up the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet, writing legislative powers when administrative ones are asked, and writing the PM's general powers when the question says 'with reference to the President' or 'with reference to the Cabinet'. This page sorts the PM's powers by relationship so you can answer exactly what is asked.

Weightage: CISCE publishes no chapter weightage. Civics is tested in Part I (compulsory 1- and 2-mark items) and in Part II Section A, where you answer two of three 10-mark Civics questions, each split 3 + 3 + 4.Source: CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper 501, History & Civics (H.C.G. Paper 1)

Key concepts

Appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers

The President appoints the Prime Minister. By convention, the President invites the leader of the party or coalition that has a majority in the Lok Sabha. When no party has a clear majority, the President uses discretion to invite the leader most likely to win a vote of confidence and may ask him or her to prove the majority within a time limit.

The other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, and portfolios are allotted on the PM's advice. A minister must be a member of either House of Parliament; a non-member can be appointed but must become a member within six months, or cease to be a minister. The total number of ministers, including the PM, cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (91st Amendment, 2003). Before entering office, ministers take oaths of office and secrecy administered by the President. Salaries and allowances of ministers are decided by Parliament by law.

Worked example

(2 marks) Who appoints the Prime Minister and the other ministers? On what basis?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The President appoints the Prime Minister, normally the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.
Other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister - 1 mark.

Answer: The President appoints as Prime Minister the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha, and appoints the other ministers on the Prime Minister's advice.

Formation and ranks of the Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers has three ranks:
1. Cabinet Ministers: senior ministers in charge of the most important ministries, such as Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs. Together with the PM they form the Cabinet.
2. Ministers of State: they may hold independent charge of a smaller ministry or department, or be attached to a Cabinet Minister to assist. They are not members of the Cabinet and attend its meetings only when invited.
3. Deputy Ministers: they assist Cabinet Ministers or Ministers of State in their work and do not hold independent charge.

The Prime Minister decides the size and composition, choosing ministers to give representation to different regions and groups and, in a coalition, to allied parties.

Worked example

(3 marks) Name the three categories of ministers in the Council of Ministers and state one feature of each.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Cabinet Ministers: hold key portfolios and form the Cabinet, which makes policy - 1 mark.
Ministers of State: may hold independent charge of a department or assist a Cabinet Minister; attend Cabinet only if invited - 1 mark.
Deputy Ministers: assist senior ministers; no independent charge - 1 mark.

Answer: Cabinet Ministers head the most important ministries and form the Cabinet. Ministers of State may have independent charge or assist Cabinet Ministers, and attend the Cabinet only when invited. Deputy Ministers assist senior ministers and have no independent charge.

Tenure

Constitutionally, ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. In practice the pleasure of the President means the confidence of the Lok Sabha: the Council of Ministers stays in office as long as it enjoys the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha, normally for the five-year life of the House.

The Council can end earlier if a no-confidence motion is passed, if the government is defeated on a Money Bill or an important policy matter, or if the Prime Minister resigns or dies, since the Council cannot exist without its head. An individual minister can be removed by the President on the PM's advice.

Worked example

(2 marks) 'Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.' What does this mean in practice?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

In practice the President acts on the PM's advice, so a minister stays as long as the PM wants - 1 mark.
The Council as a whole stays only while it has the confidence of the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.

Answer: In practice, a minister continues as long as the Prime Minister wishes, since the President removes ministers on the PM's advice, and the whole Council stays in office only while it keeps the majority support of the Lok Sabha.

Functions of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet)

Policy making: decides the domestic and foreign policies of the government, on matters such as defence, economy, education and relations with other countries.
Administrative: each minister runs his or her ministry; the Cabinet coordinates the work of different ministries, implements laws, and advises the President on major appointments (Governors, judges, ambassadors, the Attorney General).
Legislative: most bills are prepared and introduced by ministers; the Cabinet advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament and dissolving the Lok Sabha, and drafts the President's address and ordinances.
Financial: the Cabinet prepares the budget, presented by the Finance Minister; it decides on taxes and expenditure, and Money Bills are introduced by ministers.
Emergency: the President can proclaim a National Emergency only on the written advice of the Union Cabinet; the Cabinet also advises on President's Rule and Financial Emergency.

Worked example

(3 marks) Mention any two administrative functions of the Cabinet and one financial function.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Administrative: runs the ministries and implements laws and policies - 1 mark.
Administrative: coordinates the work of different ministries and advises the President on important appointments - 1 mark.
Financial: prepares the annual budget and decides on taxes and expenditure - 1 mark.

Answer: Administrative: the Cabinet runs the government through its ministries, implementing laws, and coordinates the departments while advising the President on key appointments. Financial: it prepares the budget, which the Finance Minister presents to Parliament.

Position and powers of the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the real head of the government. The PM's powers are best grouped by relationship.

With reference to the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet: forms the Council by choosing ministers; allocates and reshuffles portfolios; presides over Cabinet meetings and sets the agenda; coordinates and supervises the work of all ministries; can ask a minister to resign or have the President dismiss him; the PM's resignation or death dissolves the whole Council.

With reference to the President: is the chief link between the President and the Council (Article 78): communicates all Cabinet decisions on administration and legislation to the President, and gives information the President asks for; advises the President on appointments of Governors, judges, ambassadors, the Attorney General and others; advises the President to summon, prorogue Parliament or dissolve the Lok Sabha.

With reference to Parliament: is the Leader of the Lok Sabha (if a member of it); announces major policies; defends the government's policies in debates; plays the main role in getting government bills passed.

As leader: is the leader of the majority party and of the nation, and the chief spokesperson of India in foreign affairs.

Worked example

(4 marks) Mention any four functions of the Prime Minister with reference to the President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Acts as the link between the President and the Council of Ministers - 1 mark.
Communicates to the President all decisions of the Council relating to administration and proposals for legislation - 1 mark.
Advises the President on appointing ministers, Governors, judges, ambassadors and other high officials - 1 mark.
Advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament and on dissolving the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.

Answer: With reference to the President, the PM (1) is the channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers, (2) informs the President of all Cabinet decisions and proposed laws, (3) advises on major appointments, and (4) advises on summoning and proroguing Parliament and on dissolving the Lok Sabha.

Collective and individual responsibility

Collective responsibility: the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75). All ministers share responsibility for every Cabinet decision, even one taken by another ministry. Once a decision is taken, every minister must support it in public; a minister who disagrees must resign. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, or defeats the government on a major issue, the whole Council resigns: the ministers 'swim and sink together'.

Individual responsibility: each minister is individually responsible for the work of his or her own ministry. Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, so a minister whose department performs badly, or who is involved in misconduct, can be asked to resign by the PM or dismissed by the President on the PM's advice, without the rest of the Council falling. Ministers also answer questions in Parliament about their own departments.

Worked example

(3 marks) Explain collective responsibility. How does it differ from individual responsibility?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Collective: the Council of Ministers as a whole is responsible to the Lok Sabha; all ministers stand by Cabinet decisions - 1 mark.
If a no-confidence motion is passed, the entire Council resigns - 1 mark.
Individual: each minister answers for his own ministry and can be removed alone by the President on the PM's advice - 1 mark.

Answer: Collective responsibility means the whole Council answers to the Lok Sabha and must resign together if it loses the House's confidence; every minister defends Cabinet decisions. Individual responsibility means each minister answers for his own ministry and can be removed alone without the government falling.

Council of Ministers versus the Cabinet

1. Size: the Council of Ministers is a large body including all three ranks; the Cabinet is a small inner body of senior Cabinet Ministers and the PM.
2. Meetings: the Council rarely meets as a whole; the Cabinet meets regularly, usually every week.
3. Functions: the Cabinet takes the main policy decisions; the Council as a whole carries them out through the ministries.
4. Constitutional basis: the Council of Ministers is provided for in Articles 74 and 75; the word 'Cabinet' was added to the Constitution only by the 44th Amendment (1978), in Article 352.
5. Relationship: the Cabinet is a part of the Council and is its nucleus; its decisions bind all ministers.

Worked example

(3 marks) Mention three points of distinction between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Composition: the Council includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers; the Cabinet includes only Cabinet Ministers and the PM - 1 mark.
Meetings: the Council seldom meets as a body; the Cabinet meets regularly - 1 mark.
Function: the Cabinet makes policy; the Council implements it - 1 mark.

Answer: (1) The Council is larger and includes all three ranks of ministers, while the Cabinet has only the senior Cabinet Ministers. (2) The Council rarely meets as a whole; the Cabinet meets regularly. (3) The Cabinet takes policy decisions, which the Council carries out.

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Collective responsibility

Suppose the Cabinet decides to raise fuel taxes. The Minister of Agriculture privately disagrees and tells reporters that the decision is wrong and will hurt farmers.

Is the minister's conduct consistent with collective responsibility? What should she do?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Under collective responsibility, every minister must publicly support Cabinet decisions.
A minister who cannot accept a decision should resign.
Criticising the decision in public while staying in office breaks the principle.

Answer: No. Collective responsibility requires her to defend the Cabinet's decision in public. If she cannot, she should resign from the Council of Ministers.

Memory hook: Argue inside, agree outside, or leave.

Individual responsibility

Imagine a serious failure in a railway safety system leads to an accident, and an inquiry finds that the Railway Ministry ignored repeated warnings.

Who is held responsible, and does the whole government have to resign?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Each minister is individually responsible for the working of his or her ministry.
The Railway Minister may resign or be asked to resign by the PM, or be dismissed by the President on the PM's advice.
The rest of the Council stays, since the Lok Sabha has not withdrawn confidence.

Answer: The Railway Minister is individually responsible and may resign or be removed. The whole Council need not resign, because the Lok Sabha has not passed a no-confidence motion against it.

Memory hook: One ministry's failure costs one minister; losing the House costs them all.

Appointment of a non-member as minister

Suppose the Prime Minister wants a well-known economist who is not a member of Parliament to be Finance Minister.

Is this possible? What condition must be met?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The President appoints ministers on the PM's advice.
A non-member can be appointed a minister.
He must become a member of either House within six months, or cease to be a minister.

Answer: Yes. He can be appointed, but he must get elected or nominated to either House of Parliament within six months; otherwise he ceases to be a minister.

Memory hook: Six months to find a seat.

Topics in this chapter

Council of Ministers, Prime Minister and Ministerial Responsibility

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: key facts

Article 74: Council of Ministers headed by the PM aids and advises the President; The President acts on this advice.
Article 75: Appointment by the President; collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha; Ministers hold office during the President's pleasure.
Article 78: Duty of the PM to inform the President of Council decisions; The PM is the link between the President and the Council.
Size limit: Not more than 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha; 91st Amendment, 2003.
Non-member minister: Must become an MP within 6 months; Either House.
Ranks: Cabinet Ministers > Ministers of State > Deputy Ministers; Only Cabinet Ministers and the PM form the Cabinet.
Salaries of ministers: Fixed by Parliament by law; Not by the President or the Finance Minister.

How the board asks Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Question type	How it is asked	Method
Responsibility MCQ (Part I)	'The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the ___.' or who fixes ministers' salaries.	Collective responsibility is always to the Lok Sabha; salaries are fixed by Parliament.
PM's powers 'with reference to' (2 to 4 marks)	Powers of the PM with reference to the Cabinet, to the President, or to Parliament.	Answer only from that relationship. Learn three lists: Cabinet, President, Parliament.
Distinguish (Part II, 3 marks)	Council of Ministers versus Cabinet; collective versus individual responsibility.	Write in pairs: one line for each body on the same basis (size, meetings, function).
Functions by category (Part II, 3 or 4 marks)	Administrative, legislative, financial or emergency functions of the Cabinet.	Check the category word. Administrative = running and coordinating ministries, appointments; legislative = bills and Parliament.

Tricks to remember Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

P-A-L-F-E
Policy, Administrative, Legislative, Financial, Emergency: 'Ministers PALFE (Pal-fee) the country.'
Use it when: Listing the functions of the Cabinet.
Swim and sink together
Collective responsibility = one boat; individual responsibility = one oar.
Use it when: Explaining the two kinds of responsibility.
CPP
PM's powers by relationship: Cabinet, President, Parliament.
Use it when: 'With reference to' questions.
15 and 6
Ministers capped at 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha; a non-member has 6 months to find a seat.
Use it when: Number-based MCQs.

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Example 1: Collective responsibility · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the:
(a) President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Lok Sabha
(d) Rajya Sabha

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Article 75 makes the Council collectively responsible to the House of the People.
The President and PM relate to individual tenure, not collective responsibility.

Answer: (c) Lok Sabha.

Example 2: Who fixes ministers' salaries · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

The salaries and allowances of Union ministers are determined by:
(a) the Finance Minister
(b) the President
(c) Parliament
(d) the Prime Minister

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The Constitution leaves ministers' salaries to be decided by Parliament by law.
This keeps the executive from fixing its own pay.

Answer: (c) Parliament.

Example 3: PM and the Cabinet · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Mention any two powers of the Prime Minister with reference to the Cabinet.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The PM forms the Council of Ministers and allocates portfolios.
The PM presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of the ministries (also: can ask a minister to resign).

Answer: (1) The PM chooses the ministers and distributes and reshuffles portfolios. (2) The PM presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates the working of all ministries.

Example 4: Administrative powers · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Who appoints the Cabinet Ministers? Mention any two administrative powers of the Cabinet.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The President appoints Cabinet Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Administrative power 1: implementing laws and running the government through the ministries.
Administrative power 2: coordinating ministries and advising the President on important appointments.

Answer: The President appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice. Administrative powers: (1) the Cabinet runs the administration and enforces laws through its ministries; (2) it coordinates different ministries and advises the President on major appointments such as Governors and ambassadors.

Example 5: PM's resignation · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Why does the resignation of the Prime Minister lead to the dissolution of the Council of Ministers, while the resignation of another minister does not?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The PM is the head of the Council; the Council is formed on the PM's advice.
Without its head the Council cannot exist, so it ends when the PM resigns or dies.
Another minister is only one member; the PM can fill the vacancy, so the Council continues.

Answer: The Council of Ministers is built around the Prime Minister, who chose its members. When the PM resigns or dies, the Council automatically dissolves. When another minister resigns, the PM simply appoints a replacement through the President and the Council continues.

Example 6: Is the PM 'first among equals'? · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Some describe the Prime Minister as 'first among equals'; others say the PM is 'the keystone of the Cabinet arch'. Which description fits India better? Give three reasons.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The PM chooses and can remove ministers, so ministers are not truly equal to the PM.
The PM allocates portfolios and presides over the Cabinet, controlling its agenda.
The PM's resignation dissolves the entire Council; no other minister's does.
The PM is the link with the President and the leader of the Lok Sabha and the nation, so 'keystone' fits better.

Answer: 'Keystone of the Cabinet arch' fits better. (1) The PM chooses ministers and can have any of them removed. (2) The PM allocates portfolios and presides over the Cabinet. (3) If the PM resigns, the whole Council falls. (4) The PM alone is the link with the President and leads Parliament and the nation. The PM is far more than first among equals.

Example 7: Emergency function · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency

What is the role of the Cabinet in the proclamation of a National Emergency? Why was this rule introduced?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The President can proclaim a National Emergency only on the written advice of the Union Cabinet.
The rule ensures the decision is a collective one, not taken by the PM alone, which protects against misuse.

Answer: The President can proclaim a National Emergency only after receiving the Union Cabinet's decision in writing. This makes the decision collective rather than the PM's alone, as a safeguard against misuse of emergency powers.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In the board paper this is a 10-mark question split into 3 + 3 + 4 marks.

A new government is formed

Read the news extract and answer the questions.

'After the general election, the President invited the leader of the alliance that had won 300 seats to form the government. He was sworn in as Prime Minister along with 25 Cabinet Ministers, 30 Ministers of State and a few Deputy Ministers. A former central bank official, who is not an MP, was made Minister of State for Finance. At its first meeting, the Cabinet decided its priorities for the year.'

(i) · 3 marks
On what basis did the President invite the alliance leader? What condition applies to the former central bank official?
Answer
Answer: The alliance had a majority in the Lok Sabha (300 of 543), so its leader was invited as Prime Minister by convention. The official must become a member of either House of Parliament within six months, or cease to be a minister.
1 mark for majority, 1 for convention/President's role, 1 for six-month rule.
(ii) · 3 marks
Distinguish between the body sworn in as a whole and the body that met to decide priorities on three points.
Answer
Answer: The whole body is the Council of Ministers; the body that met is the Cabinet. (1) The Council includes all three ranks; the Cabinet only Cabinet Ministers with the PM. (2) The Council rarely meets; the Cabinet meets regularly. (3) The Cabinet decides policy; the Council implements it.
1 mark per point.
(iii) · 4 marks
Explain the collective responsibility of this government. State two situations in which it would have to resign.
Answer
Answer: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha; all ministers stand by Cabinet decisions and fall together. It would have to resign if (1) the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, or (2) it is defeated on a Money Bill or a major policy measure (also: if the PM resigns).
2 marks for explanation, 1 mark each for two situations.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

Mention two powers of the Prime Minister with reference to the Cabinet. (2 marks) (2 marks)

Step	Marks
Forms the Council and allocates portfolios.	1
Presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates ministries.	1

Distinguish between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet. (3 marks) (3 marks)

Step	Marks
Composition and size.	1
Frequency of meetings.	1
Policy making versus implementation.	1

Mention four functions of the PM with reference to the President. (4 marks) (4 marks)

Step	Marks
Link between the President and the Council.	1
Communicates Council decisions (Article 78).	1
Advises on appointments.	1
Advises on summoning, prorogation and dissolution.	1

Where students lose marks in Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Mixing up the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates mixed up the two bodies as they could not clearly distinguish them.
Wrong working
The Cabinet includes all ministers; the Council is the inner group.
Right working
The Council is the larger body of all ministers; the Cabinet is the inner group of senior ministers.
Do this: Think of the Cabinet as the nucleus inside the Council.
Usually costs: Up to 3 marks.
Mistake: Writing legislative powers for an 'administrative powers' question
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates wrote legislative powers instead of administrative powers.
Wrong working
Administrative powers: introduces bills; prepares the budget.
Right working
Administrative powers: runs and coordinates the ministries, implements laws, advises on appointments.
Do this: Learn the functions under labelled headings and check the label in the question.
Usually costs: 2 marks.
Mistake: Answering 'with reference to the President' with general powers
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates wrote the PM's powers as leader of the nation rather than with reference to the President. In 2025, candidates mixed up categories when asked about the PM and the Cabinet.
Wrong working
The PM is the leader of the nation and represents India abroad.
Right working
The PM is the link between the President and the Council, communicates decisions, and advises on appointments and on dissolving the Lok Sabha.
Do this: Use the CPP lists: Cabinet, President, Parliament.
Usually costs: Up to 4 marks.
Mistake: Saying the Council is collectively responsible to the President or the PM
CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: some chose President, confusing collective with individual responsibility; others chose Prime Minister.
Do this: Collective = Lok Sabha. Individual tenure = during the pleasure of the President.
Usually costs: The full mark.
Mistake: Saying the President or the Finance Minister fixes ministers' salaries
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates chose Finance Minister or President.
Do this: Ministers' salaries are fixed by Parliament by law.
Usually costs: The full mark.

Practice questions on Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which body is the 'real executive' in India?
(a) The President
(b) The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister
(c) The Rajya Sabha
(d) The Supreme Court
Hint
Who actually takes decisions?
Answer
(b) The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
A Minister of State with independent charge attends a Cabinet meeting. This is possible only when:
(a) he is a member of the Rajya Sabha
(b) he is invited
(c) the President allows it
(d) the Lok Sabha is dissolved
Hint
Ministers of State are not Cabinet members.
Answer
(b) he is invited.
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
What is the maximum size of the Union Council of Ministers? Which amendment set it?
Hint
A percentage of the Lok Sabha.
Answer
The total number of ministers, including the PM, cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha; this was set by the 91st Amendment, 2003.
Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
State two powers of the Prime Minister with reference to Parliament.
Hint
Leader of the House.
Answer
(1) As Leader of the Lok Sabha the PM announces and defends major government policies. (2) The PM advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament and on dissolving the Lok Sabha (also: steers government bills through Parliament).
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level
Mention any three points to distinguish between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.
Hint
Size, meetings, function.
Answer
(1) Size: the Council includes all three ranks; the Cabinet only senior Cabinet Ministers and the PM. (2) Meetings: the Council seldom meets as a body; the Cabinet meets regularly. (3) Functions: the Cabinet makes policy; the Council implements it. (Also: the Council is in Articles 74-75; 'Cabinet' entered the Constitution by the 44th Amendment.)
Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain any two legislative functions of the Council of Ministers.
Hint
Bills and sessions.
Answer
(1) Ministers prepare and introduce most bills, including all Money Bills, and the government's majority gets them passed. (2) The Cabinet advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament, and drafts the President's address and ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
'Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, but in reality during the pleasure of the Lok Sabha.' Explain.
Hint
The President acts on advice; the Lok Sabha controls through confidence.
Answer
Constitutionally, the President appoints and can dismiss ministers. But the President acts on the PM's advice, so individual ministers serve at the PM's wish. The whole Council stays only while the Lok Sabha supports it; a no-confidence motion forces it to resign. So real tenure depends on the Lok Sabha's confidence.
Q8 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Mention four functions of the Prime Minister with reference to the Council of Ministers.
Hint
Forms, allocates, presides, removes.
Answer
(1) Forms the Council by advising the President on whom to appoint. (2) Allocates and reshuffles portfolios. (3) Presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates all ministries. (4) Can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss one; the PM's resignation dissolves the Council.
Q9 · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency
Why must every minister defend a Cabinet decision in public even if he disagreed in the meeting? Give two reasons.
Hint
Unity and accountability.
Answer
(1) Collective responsibility requires the government to speak with one voice, so the Lok Sabha can hold the whole Council accountable. (2) Open disagreement would weaken public confidence and the stability of the government; a minister who cannot agree should resign.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Who appoints the Prime Minister?Show answer
The President.
2.To whom is the Council of Ministers collectively responsible?Show answer
The Lok Sabha.
3.Name the three ranks of ministers.Show answer
Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
4.What is the maximum size of the Council of Ministers?Show answer
15 per cent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
5.Which Article lays down the PM's duty to inform the President?Show answer
Article 78.
6.What happens to the Council if the PM resigns?Show answer
It is dissolved.
7.Who fixes ministers' salaries?Show answer
Parliament, by law.

Best order to study it

Appointment of the PM and ministers, the six-month rule and the 15 per cent cap.
Three ranks of ministers and the Cabinet.
Tenure and the meaning of 'pleasure of the President'.
Functions by category: policy, administrative, legislative, financial, emergency.
PM's powers in three lists: Cabinet, President, Parliament.
Collective versus individual responsibility; Council versus Cabinet.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

Real executive: Council of Ministers headed by the PM (Article 74).
PM appointed by the President: leader of the Lok Sabha majority; others on the PM's advice.
Non-member minister: must enter Parliament within 6 months; size cap 15% of the Lok Sabha.
Ranks: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers.
Tenure: pleasure of the President = confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Functions: policy, administrative, legislative, financial, emergency.
PM and Cabinet: forms, allocates, presides, coordinates, removes.
PM and President: link, communicates decisions (Art. 78), advises on appointments and dissolution.
Collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha; individual responsibility for one's ministry.
Cabinet = inner body of the Council; makes policy; meets regularly.

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: frequently asked questions

Can a member of the Rajya Sabha become Prime Minister?

Yes. The PM must be a member of either House, or become one within six months. The Council must still have the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

Is the word 'Cabinet' in the Constitution?

Only since the 44th Amendment (1978), which uses it in Article 352 on National Emergency. The original Constitution speaks only of the Council of Ministers.

What is the difference between a Minister of State with independent charge and a Cabinet Minister?

Both head a ministry or department, but only the Cabinet Minister is a member of the Cabinet. A Minister of State attends Cabinet meetings only when invited.

Based on: CISCE ICSE 2027 History & Civics syllabus (H.C.G. Paper 1); CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper and Marking Scheme, History & Civics (501)