The constitutional rule
Article 164(1A) of the Constitution of India provides that the total number of ministers in a state, including the Chief Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of that state’s Legislative Assembly. It also provides that the number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, shall not be fewer than 12.
The calculation
Total seats in the Punjab Legislative Assembly: 117
117 × 15% = 17.55
Because the number of ministers must be a whole number and cannot exceed the 15-percent ceiling, the maximum constitutionally permitted number is 17.
Key figures
- Total Assembly Seats117
- Maximum Ministers17
- Minimum Ministers12
The Chief Minister is included in both the maximum limit of 17 ministers and the minimum strength of 12 ministers.
An important distinction
There may be 117 MLAs, but there cannot be 117 ministers.
- MLA
- A member elected to the Legislative Assembly
- Minister
- A member of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister
A minister may be a member of the legislature or must become one within the constitutionally prescribed period, but every MLA is not a minister. Article 164(1A) limits the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, but does not limit the number of departments assigned to an individual minister.
Historical note
The 15-percent ceiling on the size of a state’s Council of Ministers was introduced through the Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act.
Official source
Constitution of India—Legislative Department(opens in a new tab)
Disclaimer
This page provides general constitutional information and should not be treated as legal advice. Consult the Constitution of India and relevant official sources for authoritative use.