In India which Constitutional Amendment determined the size of the Council of Ministers?

Correct option is B

The 91st Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 2003, introduced a significant restriction on the size of the Council of Ministers. As per this amendment, the size of the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
This restriction was introduced to ensure efficiency in governance and to avoid the unnecessary burden of a large council. By this provision, the maximum number of ministers in the Lok Sabha (with a total membership of 543) cannot exceed 81 members.
Additionally, the amendment aimed to curb unnecessary expansion of the Council of Ministers, which was often seen as a political tactic to accommodate coalition partners or allies.
Information Booster:
· Council of Ministers: The highest executive body responsible for the administration and functioning of the Government of India.
· Restriction on Size: The 91st Amendment Act of 2003 capped the size of the Council of Ministers at 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
· Effective Governance: The amendment aimed to promote efficiency and reduce the burden of a large council.
· Maximum Members: With 543 members in the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers can have a maximum of 81 members.
· Applicability to States: Similar restrictions apply to state legislatures, where the size of the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total membership of the legislative assembly.
Additional Information:
Constitutional Amendments and Their Context:
· 81st Amendment: Introduced in 2000, it restored the provision for reservations in promotions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs.
· 91st Amendment: Enacted in 2003, it limited the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha and introduced measures to curb defections.
· 101st Amendment: Passed in 2016, it introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to simplify the indirect tax structure in India.
· 102nd Amendment: Enacted in 2018, it granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).