SSC CHSL 2025 PYQ — Question 99

The correct answer (Option 3) is 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
Detailed information regarding this significant constitutional amendment is provided below:

• 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003
• This amendment was introduced to regulate the 'size of the Council of Ministers' and 'defection' in Indian politics. Its key provisions are as follows:
• Size of the Council of Ministers: By amending Articles 75 and 164, it was mandated that the total number of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers and the State Councils of Ministers (including the Prime Minister/Chief Minister) shall not exceed 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha and the respective Legislative Assemblies.
• Minimum Number: A provision was made for smaller states stipulating that the minimum number of ministers in a State Council of Ministers shall not be less than 12.
• Ban on Defection: This amendment also stipulated that if a member is disqualified on the grounds of defection, they shall also be disqualified from holding the office of a minister.

Analysis of Other Options:

• Option 1 (10%): The number of ministers for the Delhi Legislative Assembly (under the 69th Amendment) is fixed at 10% of the total members; however, for the country as a whole, this limit is 15%.
• Option 2 (12%): This does not constitute part of any general constitutional limit.
• Option 4 (No limit): Prior to 2003, there was no such fixed limit, which often resulted in cabinets becoming excessively large ('Jumbo Cabinets'); however, the 15% limit is now mandatory.

Brief Summary of Questions from Previous Images:
Indian Constitution: Provisions regarding Elections are mentioned in Part 15.
Literature: 'The Blue Umbrella' is a work by Ruskin Bond, while 'Two Lives' was written by Vikram Seth.
Heritage: The Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bihar (Bodh Gaya).