Q. With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily the sitting members of Lok Sabha only.
2. The Union Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2009)
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes: Statement 1 is incorrect. While most Cabinet Ministers are from the Lok Sabha, the Constitution does not mandate this exclusively. Article 75 of the Indian Constitution allows Cabinet Ministers to be drawn from either house of Parliament—the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, a non-member can be appointed as a Minister, provided they become a member of either house within six months. Statement 2 is also incorrect. The Union Cabinet Secretariat does not operate under the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Instead, it functions as the apex body of the executive branch, assisting the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Cabinet Secretariat is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and operates independently under the Prime Minister's direction, maintaining coordination among various ministries and departments of the government.