The correct answer is The entire Council of Ministers must resign.. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Principle of Collective Responsibility: According to Article 75(3) of the Constitution of India, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that if a no-confidence motion is passed against even a single Union Minister, it is considered as a loss of confidence in the entire Council of Ministers. • In such cases, the entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign as they function as a collective entity. This ensures accountability to the elected representatives of the people and upholds the democratic framework of the parliamentary system. • The Council of Ministers works as a team, and the principle of collective responsibility ensures that the government acts in a unified manner. Hence, the resignation of the entire Council of Ministers is mandatory in case of a successful no-confidence motion. Thus, this statement is correct. • The Lok Sabha is immediately dissolved: This statement is incorrect. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha is not an automatic consequence of a no-confidence motion. Instead, it depends on the President's discretion, who may decide to dissolve the Lok Sabha if no alternative government can be formed. • Only the targeted minister must resign: This statement is incorrect. As per the principle of collective responsibility, the resignation of an individual minister does not suffice. The entire Council of Ministers must step down. • The President dismisses only the targeted minister: This statement is incorrect. The President does not have the authority to dismiss only the targeted minister in the case of a no-confidence motion. The resignation of the entire Council of Ministers is mandatory. • Hence, the correct answer is The entire Council of Ministers must resign. Related Concepts: • No-Confidence Motion: • A No-Confidence Motion is a parliamentary procedure through which the Lok Sabha members express their lack of trust in the Council of Ministers. If it is passed, the government must resign. • Under Article 75(3), the government can only remain in power as long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha. • Key Example: In 1979, the government led by Morarji Desai resigned after losing a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. • Collective Responsibility in India: • The concept of collective responsibility is a cornerstone of India's parliamentary system. It ensures that the Council of Ministers works as a team and is collectively accountable to the legislature. • If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, it signifies that the House no longer supports the government. In such a scenario, the entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign. • Role of the President: • The President of India plays a crucial role in the aftermath of a no-confidence motion. If the government loses its majority, the President may invite the leader of the majority party or coalition to form a new government. • If no alternative government can be formed, the President may dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections. Important Notes: • Key Provisions of Article 75: • Article 75(3): The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. • Prime Minister: The Prime Minister acts as the head of the Council of Ministers and provides leadership to the government. • Historical Examples: • 1979: The Morarji Desai government resigned after losing a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. • 1999: The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government fell after losing a no-confidence motion by just 1 vote.