π Chapter 09 Β· Previous Year Questions
President, VP & Council of Ministers β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers with detailed answers.
π‘ Tip: Questions on President and VP focus on election process, powers, and comparison. Council of Ministers questions focus on collective responsibility and 91st Amendment.
π Note: Questions sourced from UPSC Civil Services Prelims, APPSC Group 1 & 2, and TGPSC Group 1 & 2 previous papers.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
Consider the following statements about the election of the President of India:
1. The President is elected by proportional representation with single transferable vote.
2. Nominated members of Parliament participate in the election.
3. Members of State Legislative Councils do not participate in the election.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The President is elected by proportional representation with single transferable vote.
2. Nominated members of Parliament participate in the election.
3. Members of State Legislative Councils do not participate in the election.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
β
Answer: A) 1 and 3 onlyStatements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect β nominated members of Parliament do NOT participate in the President’s election. Only elected members participate. Members of State Legislative Councils (upper houses) also do not participate β only elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
Which of the following is the difference between the pardoning power of the President (Article 72) and the Governor (Article 161)?
A) The President can pardon for offences against State laws; Governor cannot
B) The President can pardon death sentences; Governor cannot
C) The Governor can pardon for court martial offences; President cannot
D) There is no difference between the two
β
Answer: B) The President can pardon death sentences; Governor cannotThe key difference is that the President’s pardoning power (Article 72) extends to death sentences, while the Governor’s pardoning power (Article 161) does NOT extend to death sentences. The President can also pardon for court martial offences and offences against Union laws.
The Vice-President of India is elected by members of:
A) Lok Sabha only
B) Rajya Sabha only
C) Both Houses of Parliament (elected and nominated)
D) Both Houses of Parliament and State Assemblies
β
Answer: C) Both Houses of Parliament (elected and nominated)The VP is elected by all members of Parliament β both elected and nominated members of both Houses. This is different from the President’s election where only elected members of Parliament and State Assemblies participate.
Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President?
A) Article 74
B) Article 75
C) Article 76
D) Article 78
β
Answer: A) Article 74Article 74 provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the PM at the head to aid and advise the President. The President shall act in accordance with such advice. Article 75 deals with the appointment of ministers and collective responsibility.
The President of India can promulgate an ordinance when:
A) Parliament is in session
B) Parliament is not in session
C) Only when Lok Sabha is dissolved
D) Only during National Emergency
β
Answer: B) Parliament is not in sessionThe President can promulgate an ordinance when Parliament is not in session (either House or both). The ordinance has the same force as an Act of Parliament. It must be laid before Parliament when it reassembles and ceases to operate 6 weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved.
The minimum age for election as President of India is:
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years
D) 40 years
β
Answer: C) 35 yearsThe minimum age for election as President is 35 years. The same applies to the Vice-President. For Lok Sabha membership, it is 25 years; for Rajya Sabha, it is 30 years.
The 91st Constitutional Amendment (2003) is related to:
A) Right to Education
B) Size of Council of Ministers (15% cap)
C) Anti-Defection Law
D) GST
β
Answer: B) Size of Council of Ministers (15% cap)The 91st Amendment (2003) added Article 75(1A) which provides that the total number of ministers, including the PM, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of Lok Sabha. It also amended the 10th Schedule to remove the exemption for split in anti-defection cases.
Which of the following statements about the Vice-President of India is correct?
A) The VP has a casting vote in Rajya Sabha
B) The VP is elected by members of Rajya Sabha only
C) The VP is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
D) The VP can be removed by impeachment
β
Answer: C) The VP is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya SabhaThe VP is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64). The VP does NOT have a casting vote. The VP is elected by all members of Parliament (not just RS). The VP can be removed by a resolution of RS agreed to by LS β not by impeachment.
The President of India is elected by proportional representation with single transferable vote. This method of election was borrowed from the Constitution of:
A) United States
B) Ireland
C) United Kingdom
D) Australia
β
Answer: B) IrelandThe method of election of the President (proportional representation with single transferable vote) was borrowed from the Irish Constitution. Ireland also uses this method for electing its President.
Which of the following is NOT a power of the President of India?
A) Appointing the Chief Justice of India
B) Promulgating ordinances when Parliament is not in session
C) Granting pardons to persons convicted of offences
D) Passing a vote of no-confidence against the government
β
Answer: D) Passing a vote of no-confidence against the governmentThe President cannot pass a vote of no-confidence β that is a power of Lok Sabha. The President appoints the CJI, promulgates ordinances (Article 123), and grants pardons (Article 72). The President is the constitutional head and acts on Cabinet advice.