UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PRESS COMMUNIQUE

Q1. Under Article 75 of the Constitution, the total number of Ministers in the Union Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed which one of the following ceilings?

  • A. 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha
  • B. 15% of the combined strength of both Houses of Parliament
  • C. 10% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha
  • D. 12% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha

Q2. Under which one of the following constitutional provisions do Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President?

  • A. Article 74(1)
  • B. Article 75(1)
  • C. Article 75(2)
  • D. Article 75(3)

Q3. Which one of the following best describes a 'Press Communique' as a Government of India document format?

  • A. An informal note issued to give quick publicity to a routine decision, ranking below a press note in formality
  • B. An off-the-record background briefing circulated only to accredited correspondents ahead of an event
  • C. The most formal government announcement, issued over the imprimatur of the concerned Ministry and published in the Gazette of India
  • D. A daily digest of ministerial engagements compiled by the Press Information Bureau for internal circulation

Q4. Which one of the following statements regarding the dissemination of a Press Communique is correct?

  • A. It is released exclusively by the Ministry of Home Affairs in every instance
  • B. It is disseminated to the print and electronic media through the Press Information Bureau
  • C. It may be issued only in English and Hindi and never in any regional language
  • D. It is invariably drafted and released solely by the Prime Minister's Office

Q5. Which one of the following statements about the Press Information Bureau (PIB) is correct?

  • A. It is an autonomous constitutional body wholly independent of any Union ministry
  • B. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and handles all official government communications
  • C. It is the only body constitutionally empowered to issue every notification of the Government of India
  • D. It is the nodal agency for government–media communication, functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Q6. The Press Information Bureau at the national level is headed by which one of the following officers?

  • A. Principal Director General
  • B. Principal Information Officer
  • C. Director General (Zone)
  • D. Chief Information Commissioner

Q7. A Press Communique announcing the acceptance of a Union Minister's resignation and reassignment of a portfolio is issued by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. The Cabinet Secretariat
  • B. The Prime Minister's Office
  • C. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • D. The President's Secretariat

Q8. In the Press Communique of 25 July 2026, which portfolio was assigned to Shri Pralhad Joshi in addition to his existing charge?

  • A. Ministry of Education
  • B. Ministry of Coal
  • C. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • D. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Q9. Under Article 75, a person appointed a Union Minister who is not a member of either House of Parliament ceases to be a Minister on the expiry of how many consecutive months?

  • A. Three consecutive months
  • B. Nine consecutive months
  • C. Six consecutive months
  • D. Twelve consecutive months

Q10. Under Article 164(1A), the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State shall not be less than how many?

  • A. Ten
  • B. Twelve
  • C. Fifteen
  • D. Twenty