Consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.

2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only.

Let us analyze the statements step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:

1. Analysis of Statement 1:
The Constitution of India does not explicitly classify ministers into four ranks. While this classification (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State, and Deputy Minister) is a standard practical categorization of the Council of Ministers in the Indian government, it is based on the Rules of Business and parliamentary practice, not defined within the text of the Constitution itself. Article 74 of the Constitution only refers to a "Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head". Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Analysis of Statement 2:
According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003, Clause (1A) was inserted into Article 75 of the Constitution of India. This clause explicitly states that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members of the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.