Question

The portfolios are allocated to the ministers by the __________.
A. President
B. Prime Minister
C. Collective decision of the council of ministers
D. Individual choice

Answer 1

Hint:The ministers can be classified as cabinet ministers or ministers of the parliament. The cabinet is headed by the prime minister. Portfolios are a minister's division of responsibility as a member of the Union Cabinet.

Complete answer: The Prime Minister of India is considered as the real executive head of the State. He is also the chief advisor to the President of India and the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is the real head in the sense that he is considered the most powerful because even the president takes her/his advice on many matters. S/he advances to make all executive decisions after due consideration by the cabinet ministers. S/he is the Head of the Government and is appointed from the party that wins the majority in the Lok Sabha. Therefore this also makes her/him the head of Lok Sabha. Due to such influence over the house of parliament, it is the Prime Minister who allots the portfolio of the ministers. The prime minister can also change whenever necessary any such portfolios. He also presides over the Council of Ministers and the Union Cabinet. S/he has the authority to select and dismiss members of the cabinet. The Prime Minister designates posts to the members within the government.
Therefore, “B” is the correct answer.

Note:The Union Cabinet although is headed by the prime minister, it is however appointed by the President of India. According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution of India, the Union Cabinet is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.