Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:

1. A

   An arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.

   Minimising criticism of a complex government is a public-relations reading, not the constitutional principle of cabinet government. This option is not the key.

2. B

   A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.

   Speeding up administration may be an effect of a small inner cabinet, but it is not the underlying principle. This option is therefore wrong.

3. C

   A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.

   Cabinet government in a parliamentary democracy means the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the popular House, and through it to the people. That collective responsibility is the principle asked. This option is the official key.

4. D

   A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.

   Strengthening a weakening head of government is a political tactic, not the definition of the cabinet system. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c). The cabinet form, inherited from Westminster and written into Article 75(3), rests on collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha. Individual ministers may resign; the cabinet stands or falls together on confidence. Options (a), (b) and (d) describe convenience or power, not the principle. Only (c) states it.