The maximum number of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers is restricted to:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer:
15% of Lok Sabha
Explanation:
According to Article 75 (1A) of the Indian Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Union Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was introduced by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 to curb oversized ministries and ensure better administrative efficiency. A similar rule applies to state legislative assemblies, where the council of ministers cannot exceed 15 percent of the total members of the assembly.
Key Points:
The 91st Amendment Act came into effect on January 1, 2004. In the case of states, the minimum number of ministers including the Chief Minister cannot be less than 12. The primary objective of this amendment was to prevent the appointment of excessively large cabinets for political appeasement.
Important Questions and Answers:
Question: Which constitutional amendment restricted the size of the council of ministers?
Answer: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
Question: Under which article of the Indian Constitution is the size of the Union Council of Ministers limited to 15 percent of the Lok Sabha?
Answer: Article 75 (1A).