Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister. 2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: B. Only Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is WRONG. The CONSTITUTION OF INDIA does NOT classify ministers into the four ranks mentioned. The four ranks (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister) are mentioned in the GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS) RULES and CONVENTIONAL PRACTICE, not in the Constitution itself. The Constitution only mentions 'Council of Ministers' (Article 74) without ranking subdivisions. Statement 2 is CORRECT. The 91ST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT 2003 inserted Article 75(1A) which provides that the TOTAL NUMBER OF MINISTERS (including PM) in the Union Council of Ministers SHALL NOT EXCEED 15% OF THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE LOK SABHA. This was introduced to prevent jumbo cabinets formed to placate coalition partners. The same amendment imposed similar limits at state level. Source: Article 75 (as amended by 91st Amendment 2003) / Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules / NCERT Class 11.