Question

Arrange the following ministers in the hierarchical order of precedence in the Council of Ministers.

• A. 1-2-3-4
• B. 2-3-4-1
• C. 1-4-2-3
• D. 4-3-2-1

Answer 1

The correct option is C 1-4-2-3

The Council is composed of three kinds of Ministers.

1. The Cabinet Ministers hold major portfolios like Defence, Railways, and Finance. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Cabinet. The Cabinet is the nucleus of the Council.
2. Next in the hierarchy are the Ministers of State, who oversee the smaller ministries.
3. Finally, Deputy Ministers work under the Cabinet Ministers in running their various ministries. They are not allotted independent portfolios.
4. To assist the Council, there is also a body known as the ‘Parliament Secretariat’.