Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Polity

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The executive power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Neither 1 nor 2

Strategy: Rule out the first statement by referencing Article 53, which vests executive power in the President, not the Prime Minister. Rule out the second statement by identifying the Cabinet Secretary, not the Prime Minister, as the chair of the Civil Services Board based on the administrative hierarchy.

Key Info: **Executive Power**

*   The executive power of the Union of India is vested in the President under Article 53 of the Constitution.
*   All executive actions are formally taken in the President's name.
*   The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister does not hold this constitutional power individually.

**Civil Services Board**

*   The Civil Services Board (CSB) is a statutory body responsible for managing civil service officers, including their postings and transfers.
*   The ex-officio Chairman of the CSB is the Cabinet Secretary, India's seniormost civil servant.
*   The Prime Minister, as head of government, chairs the Cabinet but does not chair the Civil Services Board.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

Consider the following statements: The executive power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:

The executive power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?