Q3(c)(i). What is meant by the statement: "The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of People and individually responsible to the President of India."

The Constitution states that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

This means:

• The ministry stands or falls together.
• A no-confidence motion removes the entire ministry, not just one minister.
• All ministers support cabinet decisions, irrespective of personal opinion.
• At the same time, ministers are individually responsible to the President for the functioning of their departments.
• The President can dismiss a minister for misconduct or inefficiency on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Thus, collective responsibility ensures unity of the Cabinet, while individual responsibility ensures accountability.