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Topic Collective responsibility
Asked 8 times across 2 UPSC exams over 35 years (1979–2014), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 7 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 7 years (1979–2014)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1979 → CDS 2014
How the concept evolved
Largely a pre-2016 idea — watch for a comeback.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2014
The principle of 'collective responsibility' under parliamentary democracy implies that
- a motion of no-confidence can be moved in the Council of Ministers as a whole as well as an individual minister
- no person shall be nominated to the Cabinet except on the advice of the Prime Minister
- no person shall be retained as a member of the Cabinet if the Prime Minister says that he shall be dismissed
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1
- B 2 only
- C 3 only
- D 2 and 3 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
CSE2013
In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
- Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament
- Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament
- Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- A 1 and 2 only ✓
- B 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
CSE2013
Consider the following statements
- The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament
- The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India
- The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only ✓
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
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