DifferenceHard3 marks
4
The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister is the most powerful institution in the country. With reference to this, answer the following:
Distinguish between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.
Topic: Council of Ministers and Cabinet
Previous-year question practice database
Answer
Exam answer
The distinction is shown in the table.
Explanation
Three marks means three distinct differences — a two-column table presents them most clearly and examiners reward it. The essential idea, and the one to state first, is that the Cabinet is a PART of the Council of Ministers — its senior inner core. Every other difference follows. The practical difference (the Council never meets, the Cabinet meets weekly) is the one candidates most often miss.
Comparison
| Council of Ministers | Cabinet |
|---|---|
| The larger body, consisting of all three ranks — Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. | The smaller inner body, consisting only of the senior-most ministers holding important portfolios. |
| It never meets as a single body to take decisions. | It meets frequently, usually once a week, and takes all major policy decisions. |
| Mentioned in Article 74; it is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. | It is the real executive authority; it determines policy, and the whole Council is bound by its decisions. |
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