UPSC Express

With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. The Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are created by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet secretary.
2. Each of the Ministries is assigned to a Minister by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.
3. The Constitution of India provides that all cabinet ministers at the time of appointment shall be compulsorily the sitting members of Parliament.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
A.
1 and 3 only
B.
2 only
C.
2 and 3 only
D.
1 only
Explanation :
It asks which are incorrect. The Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are created by the President on the advice of the Prime minister under The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. Hence statement 1 is wrong. Usually, the members of Parliament, either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, are appointed as ministers. A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can also be appointed as a minister. But, within six months, he must become a member (either by election or by nomination) of either House of Parliament; otherwise, he ceases to be a minister. Hence statement 3 is wrong.