Question

Article 74(1) of the Indian Constitution mandates a Council of Ministers to aid and advise whom?

• A. Vice President
• B. Prime Minister
• C. President
• D. Chief Justice of India

Answer 1

Answer:

C. President

President

• Role: Formal head of state, symbolizing national unity; exercises executive, legislative, judicial, and emergency powers on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 52, 53).
  

• Election: Indirectly elected by an electoral college of MPs and MLAs for a five-year term (Articles 54, 55).
  

• Impeachment: Can be removed only for violation of the Constitution via a special majority in Parliament (Article 61).

Powers

• Acts on the binding advice of the Council of Ministers, but can ask for reconsideration (Article 74(1)).
  

• Has veto power over bills (except Money Bills), including the “pocket veto” (no time limit for assent).
  

• Appoints the Prime Minister, with discretion in cases of no clear Lok Sabha majority (e.g., 1998 Narayanan case).

• Article 74(1): Mandates a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President, whose advice is binding

• Article 75(3): States that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.