Why does the Prime Minister allocate departments to ministers?

Correct answer: To divide work and fix responsibility

Direct answer: A, to divide government work and fix responsibility. The Union government has many areas such as finance, education, health and transport. Ministers are assigned particular departments so that they can supervise administration, develop proposals and answer for the work of those departments. Allocation also helps the Prime Minister coordinate the whole ministry and adjust responsibilities when necessary. Option B is wrong because assigning a portfolio does not close courts, which are independent institutions. Option C is wrong because department allocation has no purpose of cancelling elections. Option D is wrong because voter lists are handled through prescribed electoral procedures, not removed through portfolio distribution. A department or portfolio is therefore both an area of work and an area of ministerial responsibility. Memory cue: Portfolio means assigned work plus responsibility.