Ministerial Responsibility
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding the principles of ministerial accountability is fundamental to comprehending the functioning of India's parliamentary democracy, the relationship between the executive and legislature, and mechanisms for good governance.
In India's parliamentary system, ministers are accountable to the Parliament. This accountability operates on two levels: collective responsibility (Article 75(3)) and individual responsibility (Article 75(2)). Collective responsibility means the entire Council of Ministers is jointly responsible to the Lok Sabha for all its acts of omission and commission. Individual responsibility implies that each minister is personally responsible for the administration of their department and can be removed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Facts & tables
- Collective Responsibility
- Article 75(3) establishes collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha.
- Individual Responsibility
- Article 75(2) establishes individual responsibility to the President (on PM's advice).
- Implication of Collective Responsibility
- A no-confidence motion against one minister implies resignation of the entire council.
- Implication of Individual Responsibility
- Allows for removal of a single minister for departmental failings.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Parliamentary System & Procedures |
| Conceptual area | Executive & Council of Ministers |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Council of Ministers | Subject to accountability |
| Lok Sabha | Holds accountable |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- Collective responsibility (Art 75(3)) to Lok Sabha.
- Individual responsibility (Art 75(2)) to President (on PM's advice).
- No-confidence motion targets collective responsibility.
- Ensures executive accountability to legislature.
- Protests demanding resignation highlight public demand for accountability.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions |
| 2013 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Parliamentary System & Procedures
Conceptual area
-
Executive & Council of Ministers
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Cockroach Janta Party protests | Collection of The Hindu’s ground reports
Ministers in India's parliamentary system are accountable to Parliament, both collectively (Art 75(3) to Lok Sabha) and individually (Art 75(2) to President on PM's advice).
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Cockroach Janta Party protests | Collection of The Hindu’s ground reports
Ministers in India's parliamentary system are accountable to Parliament, both collectively (Art 75(3) to Lok Sabha) and individually (Art 75(2) to President on PM's advice).
Try these PYQs
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?
1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency
2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
3. To impeach the President of India
Select the correct answer using the code given ' below:
* Statement 1 is incorrect: If the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or of any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, he may, by Proclamation, make a declaration to that effect in respect of the whole of India or of such part of the territory. * Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 75 of the Indian constitution, the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It means that the ministry stays in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha. * Statement 3 is incorrect: When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament.
With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements :
1. Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
2. Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session.
3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Under Article 85(2) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to prorogue the Houses, or either House of Parliament, from time to time. The termination of a session of the House by an order from the President under this provision is referred to as 'prorogation.' The President exercises this power of prorogation only upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister or the Cabinet, i.e., the Council of Ministers. Statement 2 is correct. Typically, prorogation follows adjournment sine die, but technically, the President can prorogue a House even while it is in session. Statement 3 is correct. The President usually dissolves the Lok Sabha based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in exceptional circumstances such as a vote of no confidence or other political crises.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government/including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does not classify ministers into four fixed ranks. There are broadly two categories based on parliamentary convention - Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (with or without independent charge). The number of ranks can vary based on the specific structure chosen by the government. Statement 2 is correct: The 91st Amendment to the Constitution limits the size of the Council of Ministers. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'?
I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
❌ Statement I: Incorrect
*The President of India is NOT a member of the Jury.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the Jury.* ✅ Statement III: Correct
*The Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by the CJI) is a Jury member.* ✅ Statement IV: Correct
*The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (or leader of largest opposition party) is a Jury member.* Correct Answer: Statements II, III, and IV are correct.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Council of Ministers at the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
Which of the Statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is not correct: The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to Lok Sabha, not parliament. Statement 2 is correct: The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. Statement 3 is correct: The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India:
I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review.
II. The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement I is correct: President’s pardoning power can be subjected to limited judicial review, especially on grounds like mala fides, irrelevant considerations, or arbitrariness (as held in Kehar Singh, Epuru Sudhakar cases). Statement II is incorrect: President cannot act independently; the power must be exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74.
Consider the following statements:
I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion.
II. The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Constitution outlines specific roles where the Governor can act at his/her own discretion, but it does not allow the President to unilaterally intervene in State legislation without the Governor's involvement. ✅ Statement I: Correct
* The Governor can act in discretion in certain cases (e.g., reserving a bill for the President under Article 200, or appointing a CM in a hung assembly).
* Article 163(2) makes the Governor’s discretion final in such matters. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
* The President cannot suo motu reserve a State bill. Only the Governor can do this under Article 200.
A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
Option B is the correct answer. A parliamentary system of government is one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature. This responsibility means that the executive stays in power as long as it enjoys the confidence of the house. The moment the confidence is lost, it can be removed by Parliament by passing the no-confidence motion. This is the same feature which hampers the stability of the parliamentary system. Options A and C are incorrect. Parliamentary system functions irrespective of whether all parties have representation. The government is not directly elected by the people but indirectly through their representative in Parliament. Therefore, the instrument to remove the government through public vote is not available in the parliamentary system; this is a feature found in direct democracies. Option D is incorrect. It goes against the fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy which requires an executive responsible to the legislature. Therefore the correct answer is B.