The Prime Minister of India holds the pivotal role as the leader of the Lok Sabha and the effective head of the government.
Within the framework of the Parliamentary System outlined by the Constitution, the President is the nominal executive (de jure authority), while the Prime Minister is the practical executive authority (de facto).
As the leader of the ruling party and the head of the government, the Prime Minister plays a central role in the politico-administrative system.
Article 74 of the Constitution designates the Prime Minister as the head of the Council of Ministers, outlining the core structure of executive authority.
Relevant articles associated with the Prime Minister’s role include:
| Articles | Subject Matter |
| Article 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
| Article 75 | Other provisions for ministers |
| Article 77 | Conduct of business of the Government of India |
| Article 78 | Duties of the Prime Minister concerning furnishing of information to the President, etc. |
| Article 88 | Rights of Ministers concerning the Houses |
Appointment of Prime Minister
- The appointment of the Prime Minister is governed by Article 75, which specifies that the President shall appoint the Prime Minister.
- However, this doesn’t grant the President unrestricted freedom in the appointment process.
- Under normal circumstances, the President is expected to appoint the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister.
- In situations where no party holds a clear majority, the President may exercise personal discretion in the selection and appointment of the Prime Minister.
- The first instance of the exercise of this discretion occurred in 1979 when Chaudhary Charan Singh was appointed as the Prime Minister.
- The customary practice involves the President appointing the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister, tasking them with seeking a vote of confidence within a month.
- According to constitutional norms, the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and must be a member of the Lok Sabha. However, exceptions exist, and Prime Ministers like IK Gujral (1997), Indira Gandhi (1966), and Dr. Manmohan Singh (2004) have come from the Rajya Sabha.
- A person not currently a member of either House of Parliament can serve as Prime Minister for six months, during which they must become a member of either House.
Qualifications:
- The Prime Minister must be a citizen of India.
- At the time of taking the oath, the Prime Minister must be a member of either the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha or become a member within six months.
- The age requirement is 30 years for a Rajya Sabha member and 25 years for a Lok Sabha member.
Oath or Affirmation:
Before assuming office, the Prime Minister takes an oath or affirmation administered by the President of India.
Terms of Office:
- The term of office for the Prime Minister is not fixed; it lasts as long as the President is pleased.
- The Prime Minister holds the position as long as they maintain a majority in the Lok Sabha and must resign if they lose confidence.
Powers and Functions:
About the Council of Ministers:
- Recommends ministerial appointments to the President.
- Allocates and reshuffles ministerial portfolios.
- Can request a minister’s resignation or advise the President to dismiss them.
- Presides over Council of Ministers meetings and influences decisions.
- Guides, directs, controls, and coordinates the activities of all ministers.
About the President:
- Advises the President on the appointment of key officials.
- Acts as the principal channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers.
- Communicates decisions and legislative proposals to the President.
- Furnishes information as required by the President.
About the Parliament:
- Serves as the leader of the Lower House (exceptions apply, as seen with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a Rajya Sabha member).
- Participates in decisions regarding the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the House agenda.
- The Prime Minister provides advice to the President on matters concerning the summoning and proroguing of Parliament sessions and holds the authority to recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha at any point.
- On the parliamentary floor, the Prime Minister announces government policies and possesses the right to participate in and influence any parliamentary debate.
Other Powers and Functions:
- The Prime Minister serves as the Chairman of key bodies including NITI Aayog, the National Development Council, the National Integration Council, the International Council, and the National Water Resources Council.
- Decisions regarding the acceptance of titles like Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri are also within the purview of the Prime Minister, contributing to the nation’s foreign policy.
- The National Disaster Management Authority, the apex statutory body for disaster management, is led by the Prime Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister
- The role of the Deputy Prime Minister is not constitutionally specified and is often appointed due to political considerations.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister during Prime Minister Nehru’s era, and subsequent individuals, including Morarji Desai, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Jagjivan Ram, Y.B. Chavan, and L.K. Advani, also assumed this role at different times
Prime Ministers of India:
| Name | Tenure From – To | Important Facts |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | 15th August, 1947 to 27th May, 1964 | First Prime Minister of India, died in office; also had the longest tenure (17 years) |
| Gulzari Lal Nanda (Acting) | 27th May, 1964 to 9th June, 1964 | First Acting Prime Minister; Only Prime Minister to die abroad during an official tour; First to become Acting Prime Minister twice |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri | 9th June, 1964 to 11th January, 1966 | First woman Prime Minister of India; First Prime Minister to lose an election; First member of Rajya Sabha who became Prime Minister |
| Indira Gandhi | 11th January, 1966 to 24th January, 1966 | Morarji Desai |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh | 28th July, 1979 to 14th January, 1980 | Only Prime Minister who did not face the Parliament; also Chief Minister |
| Indira Gandhi | 14th January, 1980 to 31st October, 1984 | First Prime Minister to be assassinated |
| Rajiv Gandhi | 31st October, 1984 to 1st December, 1989 | Youngest Prime Minister (40 years) |
| VP Singh | 21st December, 1989 to 10th January, 1990 | First Prime Minister to step down after a vote of no-confidence was passed |
| Chandra Shekhar | 10th January, 1990 to 21st June, 1991 | |
| PV Narasimha Rao | 21st June 1991 to 16th May, 1996 | First Sikh Prime Minister, Member of Rajya Sabha, longest tenure after Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 16th May, 1996 to 1st June, 1996 | First Prime Minister from Southern India; he was not a member of either House of Parliament |
| HD Deve Gowda | 1st June, 1996 to 20th April, 1997 | Shortest tenure of a Prime Minister; Member of Rajya Sabha; also Chief Minister |
| IK Gujral | 21st April, 1997 to 19th March, 1998 | |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19th March, 1998 to 13th October, 1999 | |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 13th October 1999 to 22nd May, 2004 | |
| Dr Manmohan Singh | 22nd May 2004 to 26th May, 2014 | Narendra Modi *As of June, 2023 |
- Former Chief Ministers who later became Prime Ministers include Morarji Desai (Bombay state), Chaudhary Charan Singh (twice in undivided Uttar Pradesh), VP Singh (Uttar Pradesh), HD Deve Gowda (Karnataka), and Narendra Modi (Gujarat).
- The first no-confidence motion was initiated against Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Smt Indira Gandhi, all three Prime Ministers, passed away during their terms of office, and Rajiv Gandhi died during the Lok Sabha elections.
Council of Ministers:
- Article 74 and Article 75 deal with the provisions regarding the Council of Ministers.
- There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head to aid and advise the President, who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act by such advice.
- The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President, and the other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha, as per Article 72(1)(A) added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.
- According to Article 75(5), every member of the Council of Ministers must be a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha or must be elected as a member of either House within six months after their appointment as a Minister; otherwise, they may resign from the Council of Ministers.
- A minister who is a member of one House of Parliament has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of the other House also but can vote only in the House of which they are a member.
A minister who, for any period of six consecutive months, is not a member of either House of Parliament shall cease to be a minister at the expiration of that period. There shall always be a Council of Ministers, ensuring the presence of a Prime Minister and a functioning government. - The advice tendered by the Council of Ministers, including suggestions for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, is bound to be accepted by the President.
- The advice tendered to the President is confidential, and no question can be raised on the advice in a Court of Law.
Oath and Salary of Ministers:
- The President administers the oath of office and secrecy to a minister. The minister swears to bear faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, uphold the integrity and sovereignty of India, and faithfully and consciously discharge the duties of their office.
- The salaries and allowances of ministers are determined by the Parliament from time to time, equivalent to that of a Member of Parliament (MP).
- Article 77 of the Constitution empowers the President to make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India and for the allocation of the said business among ministers.
- Article 88 grants every minister the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House. They may also take part in any joint sitting and any committee of Parliament.
Composition of the Council of Ministers:
- The Constitution of India doesn’t categorize ministers.
- By convention, the Council of Ministers consists of three categories: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
Cabinet Ministers:
- These are senior members of the Council of Ministers who head crucial ministries like Defence, Home, Finance, etc. They form an integral part of the Cabinet and play a vital role in policy formulation.
- The term “Cabinet” was introduced by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act concerning emergency provisions.
- Cabinet meetings are attended by Cabinet Ministers, and they are held weekly to discuss state affairs.
- A new practice of Group of Ministers (GoMs) has emerged to scrutinize complex issues, where only Cabinet Ministers participate.
Ministers of State:
- Second in rank, they may be given independent charge of ministries or attached to Cabinet Ministers. When attached, they work under the guidance of Cabinet Ministers.
- Unlike Cabinet Ministers, they do not attend Cabinet meetings unless specially invited for matters related to their ministry.
Deputy Ministers:
- Junior-most, they are never given independent charge of a ministry and remain attached to Cabinet Ministers or Ministers of State.
- They assist in discharging political, administrative, and parliamentary duties effectively but do not attend Cabinet meetings.
Difference between the Council of Ministers and Cabinet Ministers:
| Council of Ministers | Cabinet Ministers |
| Wider body with 60 to 70 ministers | Smaller body with 15 to 20 ministers |
| Includes all three categories of ministers | Comprises only Cabinet Ministers |
| No collective meetings for transacting business | Meets frequently to deliberate and decide on government business |
| No collective functions | Has collective functions, directing the Council of Ministers by making policy decisions binding on all ministers |
| Vested with all powers in theory | Exercises the practical power of the Council of Ministers, acting on its behalf |
| Functions determined by the Cabinet | Enforces collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lower House of Parliament |
| Constitutional body defined by Articles 74 and 75 | The term “Cabinet” was inserted in Article 352 in 1978 by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act |
Kitchen Cabinet:
- The Cabinet, comprising the Prime Minister and around 15 to 20 key ministers, is the highest decision-making body in the formal sense.
- However, in practice, an even smaller body known as the Inner Cabinet or Kitchen Cabinet has emerged as the true center of power.
Care-Taker Government:
- It is the government formed during the interim period when the Council of Ministers resigns, loses confidence, or the Prime Minister passes away. This government lasts until the next Council of Ministers is established, serving as a constitutional necessity under Article 74.
Responsibilities of the Council of Ministers:
Individual Responsibility:
- The principle of individual responsibility is enshrined in the clause that ministers shall hold office at the pleasure of the President. This implies individual accountability to the executive head, making them liable to dismissal even if they maintain the confidence of the legislature.
Collective Responsibility:
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of People (Article 75(3)*). The ministry resigns when it loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha. A vote of no-confidence against any member leads to the resignation of the entire council. This collective responsibility is to the Lok Sabha, even if some ministers belong to the Rajya Sabha.
Cabinet Committees:
- Cabinet Committees are institutional arrangements designed to alleviate the workload of the Cabinet. These committees, not mentioned in the Constitution, operate under the Government of India, Transaction of Business Rules of 1961.
Types of Cabinet Committees:
- Standing Committees: These are Political Affairs, Economic Affairs, Appointment, and Parliamentary Affairs Committees.
- Adhoc Committees: Temporary, formed as needed to address specific issues.
The Prime Minister establishes Standing Committees of the Cabinet, outlining their designated functions. Each committee varies in size, typically comprising Cabinet Ministers, although non-Cabinet members are not excluded.
Existing Cabinet Committees:
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
- Cabinet Committee on Security.
- Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.
- Cabinet Committee on Accommodation.
- Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth.
- Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development.
- All committees, except the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, are headed by the Prime Minister.
Cabinet Secretariat:
- The Cabinet Secretariat oversees and coordinates the functions of Cabinet Ministers, constituting the Cabinet Secretariat.
- With the Prime Minister as the head of the Cabinet, this organization encompasses the entire spectrum of governmental activities.
- It facilitates effective decision-making by circulating governmental papers among ministries.
- The Cabinet Secretariat communicates the directives of the Cabinet or the Prime Minister on administrative and related matters, ensuring coordination among the Cabinet Committee.
- Essentially serving as a secretariat to support and advise the Cabinet, it extends its influence to the President, Parliament, and various ministers of the Central Secretariat.
- It traces its lineage to the Secretariat of the Executive Council of the Viceroy.
Prime Minister’s Secretariat (PMO):
- An extrajudicial body was established to aid the Prime Minister in handling his expanding responsibilities.
- Operates as the central office of the Prime Minister, known as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
- The Prime Minister seeks assistance and advice from personal secretarial experts and staff within this framework.
- Dedicated to objectively analyzing and legally processing the advice provided by the Prime Minister.
- Holds the status of a department of the Government of India under the Allocation of Business Rule of 1961, with no subordinate officers attached.
- The prominence of either secretariat has shifted over the years, depending on the working style of the Prime Minister.
Prelims Facts
- Under which constitutional provision does the President appoint the Prime Minister? Article 75 [JPSC (Pre) 2011, CGPSC (Pre) 2013]
- The reorganization of the Union Cabinet is based on the recommendations of Gopalaswami Ayyangar [UPPSC (Pre) 2010]
- He represents the nation but does not lead the nation’. To whom does this dictum apply? President [UPPSC (Mains) 2007]
- The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was established in 1977. Previously, it was known as Prime Minister’s Secretariat [UPPSC (Pre) 2019]
- Who conveys all the decisions of the Council of Ministers to the President in India? Prime Minister [Nagaland PSC (Pre) 2012]
- Who assigns and rearranges various portfolios among the ministers? Prime Minister [Nagaland PSC (Pre) 2016]
- Who is the President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research? Prime Minister of India [UPPSC (Pre) 200€, UK Lower PSC 201]
- If the Prime Minister of India is a Member of the Rajya Sabha he will not be able to vote in his favor in the event of a no-confidence motion. [IAS (Pre) 1999]
- The office of the Deputy Prime Minister is an extra-constitutional development [UPPSC (Mains) 2000]
- The Policy of Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation was announced as the New Economic Policy by the Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao [UP Lower 2017]
- The Department of Border Management operates under which Union Ministry? Ministry of Home Affairs [IAS (Pre) 2000]
- Under which Ministry of the Government of India does the Food and Nutrition Board work? Ministry of Women and Child Development [IAS (Pre) 2005]
UPSC NCERT Practice Questions
1. The Prime Minister of India is (Pre) 2011, CCSC (Pre) 2013
(a) elected
(b) selected
(c) nominated
(d) appointed
2. The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment IAS (Pre) 2012
(a) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament, but must become a member of one of the Houses within six months.
(b) need not necessarily be a member of one of the House within six months of the Parliament, but must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months.
(c) must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament.
(d) must be a member of the Lok Sabha.
3. Which one of the following statements is correct? The Prime Minister of India. Manipur PSC (Pre) 2014
(a) is free to choose his minister only from among those who are members of either House of Parliament.
(b) can choose his Cabinet colleagues after due counselling by the President of India in this regard.
(c) has full discretion in the choice of persons who are to serve as ministers in his cabinet.
(d) has only limited powers in the choice of his cabinet colleagues because of the discretionary powers vested with the President of India.
4. Consider the following statements: IAS (Pre) 2015
1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the Ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
5. The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment IAS (Pre) 2012
(a) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament, but must become a member of one of the Houses within six months.
(b) need not necessarily be a member of one of the House within six months of the Parliament, but must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months.
(c) must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament.
(d) must be a member of the Lok Sabha.
6.With reference to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) which one of the statement (s) is/are correct?
1. It came into existence in 1977.
2. It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.
(a) Only 2
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Only 1
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
7. Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister in relation to the Council of Ministers has been wrongly listed? Karnataka PSC (Pre) 2014
(a) He can dismiss any minister if he finds that the minister is not co-operating with him.
(b) The members of the Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
(c) He allocates portfolios among the members of the Council of Ministers.
(d) He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
8. There is a Council of Ministers to aid and advice the President who, in the exercise of his functions acts in accordance with such advice, however MPSC (Pre) 2013
1. The President cannot ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice.
2. The question whether any advice was tendered by the Council of Ministers to the President can be enquired into only by the Supreme Court.
3. If a member of the Parliament gets disqualified to be a member and he contests election before the expiry of the term of this office he can remain as a minister until he is declared elected.
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None of these
9. Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister in relation to the Council of Ministers has been wrongly listed? KPSC (Pre) 2014
(a) He can dismiss any minister if he finds that the minister is not cooperating with him.
(b) The members of the Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
(c) He allocates portfolios among the members of the Council of Ministers.
(d) He presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
10. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister UPPSC (Pre) 2019
(a) was created under the original Constitution
(b) is an extra Constitutional growth
(c) was created by 44th Amendment
(d) was created by the 85th Amendment
11. Which one of the following is not a correct situation arising after the resignation of the Council of Minister ? UPPSC (Mains) 2010
(a) President’s rule will be imposed.
(b) The President will ask to continue till alterman arrangement.
(e) The alternative arrangement means earliest post, general election to be held to form a government.
(d) Outgoing Council of Ministers may have had chang till the formation of the new government.
12. Assertion (A) Collective responsibility of the Cabinet signifies unity and co-ordination among members of the Council of Ministers.Reason (R) It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to select or drop a member of the Cabinet.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the corred explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
13. Which one of the following statements is correct! The Prime Minister MPSC (Pre) 2014
(a) is free to choose his ministers only from among those who are members of either House of the Parliament.
(b) can choose his Cabinet colleagues after due counselling by the president of India in this regard.
(c) has full discretion in the choice of persons who are to serveas ministers in his Cabinet.
(d) has only limited power in the choice of his Cabine colleagues because of the discretionary powers vested with the President of India.
Know Right Answer
1.(d); 2.(a); 3.(c); 4.(d); 5.(a); 6.(c); 7.(a); 8.(d); 9.(a); 10.(b);11.(a); 12.(b); 13.(c)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ: What is the role of the Prime Minister in the Indian political system?
Answer: The Prime Minister is the head of the government in India and plays a crucial role in the functioning of the parliamentary system. Appointed by the President, the Prime Minister is usually the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. The PM is responsible for forming the Council of Ministers, setting government policies, and making key decisions. Additionally, the Prime Minister represents India in international forums and is accountable to the Lok Sabha.
FAQ: How is the Council of Ministers formed, and what are its functions in Indian polity?
Answer: The Council of Ministers is composed of senior government officials, including Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and is responsible for its formation. The President appoints ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is responsible for policy formulation, decision-making, and the administration of various government departments. It works collectively to implement government programs and policies.
FAQ: Can the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers be removed from office before the completion of their term?
Answer: Yes, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers can be removed from office before the completion of their term. The Lok Sabha can pass a vote of no-confidence, and if the majority of members support it, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers must resign. Additionally, if the President is convinced that the Prime Minister has lost the majority’s support, they can be asked to resign. The President can also dismiss the Council of Ministers if it fails to function according to the Constitution. This ensures accountability and parliamentary control over the executive branch.
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