A Prime Minister is the head of government in India's political setup.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of India and is the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament.
The Prime Minister is responsible for the administration of the government and serves as the chief spokesperson for the government's policies.
Under Article 75, the Council of Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Also, Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with a Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. Thus, other ministers work under the direction of the Prime Minister.
Hence, in the parliamentary system of India, the role of the Prime Minister has become so significant and crucial that the form of government in India is called a ‘Prime Ministerial Government’.
Article Description
Article 75(1) The President shall appoint the Prime Minister who, in his opinion, commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha
Article 75(1) 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
Article 75(1) The Prime Minister shall be the head of the Council of Ministers
Article 75(3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
Article 75(2) The Prime Minister can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence passed by a majority of the members of the Lok Sabha, or if he resigns from office.
Article 75(3) The Prime Minister holds office during the pleasure of the President but must have the support of a majority of the Lok Sabha.
Article 84(2) Must be a citizen of India and a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
Appointment of the Prime Minister
The Constitution does not specify a particular process for selecting and appointing a Prime Minister.
According to Article 75, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. However, this does not mean the President can choose any person as Prime Minister.
In line with the conventions of a parliamentary government system, the President typically appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister.
When no party holds a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President may use their discretion in selecting and appointing the Prime Minister.
As long as the Prime Minister maintains majority support in the Lok Sabha, He/She cannot be dismissed by the President. But, if he/she loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he/she must resign, or the President may dismiss him/her.
Salary: The Prime Minister's salary and benefits are periodically set by the Parliament and include the compensation and perks given to a member of Parliament, as well as additional perks such as a sumptuary allowance, free housing, travel allowances, and access to medical facilities.
Here is a list of Prime Ministers of India:
Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964)
Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting, 1964)
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-1966)
Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting, 1966)
Indira Gandhi (1966-1977)
Morarji Desai (1977-1979)
Charan Singh (1979-1980)
Indira Gandhi (1980-1984)
Rajiv Gandhi (1984-1989)
Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1989-1990)
Chandra Shekhar (1990-1991)
V. Narasimha Rao (1991-1996)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996)
D. Deve Gowda (1996-1997)
Gujral (1997-1998)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004)
Manmohan Singh (2004-2014)
Narendra Modi (2014-present)
The powers of the Prime Minister of India can be broadly categorized into the following:
Executive powers: The Prime Minister is the head of the Union Council of Ministers and is responsible for the administration of the government. He presides over cabinet meetings and coordinates the activities of the various ministries and departments.
Legislative powers: The Prime Minister is a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha and can participate in the proceedings of either house. He advises the President on the summoning and prorogation of the parliament sessions and dissolution of Lok Sabha.
Diplomatic powers: The Prime Minister represents India in the international arena and conducts negotiations with foreign countries. He also receives foreign diplomats and dignitaries on behalf of the President.
Emergency powers: In times of national emergency, the Prime Minister advises the President on the measures to be taken to protect the security of India.
Appointment powers: The Prime Minister (and the Council of Ministers) advises the President with respect to the appointments to the higher judiciary and key administrative posts such as the Governors, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and the Attorney General of India.
Financial powers: The Prime Minister is responsible for the overall economic and financial management of the country. His/her government presents the annual budget to the parliament and ensures it is passed.
The Prime Minister is the head of the Union Council of Ministers, the head of the Government of India, and is responsible for the administration of the government. He presides over cabinet meetings and coordinates the activities of the various ministries and departments.
Relating to the Council of Ministers(CoM)
As head of the Union council of ministers, the Prime Minister holds the functions and responsibilities:
Recommending individuals for appointment as ministers by the President, who can only appoint those recommended by the Prime Minister.
Assigning and reassigning portfolios among ministers.
Asking for a minister's resignation or advising the President to dismiss them in case of conflicting opinions.
Presiding over meetings of the council of ministers and influencing its decisions.
Guide, direct, control, and coordinate the activities of all ministers.
Bringing about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office.
Relating to the President
The Prime Minister serves as the primary means of communication between the President and the council of ministers.
It is the Prime Minister's responsibility to inform the President of all decisions made by the council of ministers regarding the administration of Union affairs and legislative proposals.
The Prime Minister provides guidance to the President in regard to the appointment of key officials such as the Attorney general of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Election Commissioners, the chairman and members of the Finance Commission, among others.
Relating to the Parliament
As the leader of the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister holds the following functions and responsibilities:
Advising the President on summoning and prorogation of the sessions of Parliament.
Recommending the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time.
Announcing government policies in the House.
Other Functions and Responsibilities
In addition to the three primary roles given above, the Prime Minister also has several other functions and responsibilities, including
Chairman of the various bodies like- NITI Ayog (which succeeded the planning commission), National Integration Council, Inter-State Council, National Water Resources Council, and other related bodies.
Shaping the country's foreign policy.
Chief spokesperson for the Union government.
Chief crisis manager at the political level during emergencies.
Meeting various groups of people in different states and receiving a memorandum from them regarding their issues as a leader of the nation.
Leader of the party in power.
Political head of the services.
In India, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the administrative body that assists the Prime Minister in managing the Government of India and exercising his/her constitutional, executive, and administrative functions.
PMO is responsible for coordinating the functioning of various departments and ministries of the Government of India and advising the Prime Minister on a wide range of policy and administrative matters.
The PMO is headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and comprises several other senior officials who assist the Prime Minister in his/her duties.
Some departments and bodies working under the purview of the PMO
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Department of Space (DoS)
National Security Council (NSC)
QUESTION AND ANSWER
1. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Sardar Patel
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister in 1947 and served until 1964.
2. Who was the first woman to become the Prime Minister of India?
A. Sarojini Naidu
B. Sonia Gandhi
C. Indira Gandhi
D. Pratibha Patil
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi became the first woman Prime Minister in 1966.
3. The position of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers is described as “Primus Inter Pares.” What does this phrase mean?
A. Supreme ruler of the cabinet
B. First servant of the nation
C. First among equals
D. Head of Council of Ministers
First among equals
The Latin phrase “Primus Inter Pares” means “first among equals.” It indicates that although the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.
4. The Prime Minister of India is appointed by
A. Parliament of India
B. Chief Justice of India
C. Election Commission of India
D. President of India
President of India
Article 75 of the Constitution states that the President appoints the Prime Minister.
5. The Prime Minister must be a member of
A. Lok Sabha only
B. Rajya Sabha only
C. Either House of Parliament
D. State Legislature
Either House of Parliament
A person who is not a member of either House can also become a minister but he cannot continue as minister for more than 6 months unless he secures a seat in either House of Parliament (by election or nomination) in mean time. (Article 75(5))
6. Who administers the oath of office to the Prime Minister of India?
A. Chief Justice of India
B. Vice President
C. Speaker of Lok Sabha
D. President of India
President of India
The President administers the oath of office and secrecy.
7. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to
A. President
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Lok Sabha
D. Supreme Court
Lok Sabha
Under Article 75, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
8. In India, the Prime Minister remains in office so long as he enjoys the –
A. For five years fixed
B. Confidence of Rajya Sabha
C. Confidence of Lok Sabha
D. Support of the people
Confidence of Lok Sabha
The PM continues in office as long as he/she enjoys majority support in Lok Sabha.
9. Who among the following is the Chairman of the National Integration Council?
A. President
B. Vice-President
C. Prime Minister
D. Chief Justice of India
Prime Minister
The National Integration Council (NIC) is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It is established in 1961 by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to combat communalism, regionalism, and linguism.
10. Consider the following statements regarding Prime Minister of India.
The resignation of the Prime Minister means the resignation of entire Council of Ministers (cabinet).
It is on the advice of Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Which of these statements are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Both 1 and 2
If the Prime Minister resigns or passes away, entire minister goes out automatically.
11. Which Article of the Constitution mentions the Prime Minister?
A. Article 52
B. Article 63
C. Article 74 & 75
D. Article 356
Article 74 & 75
Article 74 deals with Council of Ministers headed by PM; Article 75 covers appointment and responsibilities.
12. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairman of
A. Finance Commission
B. Election Commission
C. UPSC
D. NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog
The PM is the chairperson of NITI Aayog and leads national policy direction.
13. Which of the article envisages duties of Prime Minister in respect of furnishing information to the President?
A. Article 74
B. Article 75
C. Article 78
D. None of these
Article 78
Article 78 of the Indian Constitution outlines the duties of the Prime Minister regarding the furnishing of information to the President.
14. Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India?
A. Gulzarilal Nanda
B. Morarji Desai
C. Chaudhary Charan Singh
D. Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel
Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. He served in this position from August 15, 1947, until his death on December 15, 1950. He was also the first Home Minister of independent India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is often referred to as the “Iron Man of India” for his role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
15. Who one of the following Prime Minister never faced the Parliament during the tenure?
A. Morarji Desai
B. Lal Bahadur Shastri
C. Chaudhary Charan Singh
D. Chandra Shekhar
Chaudhary Charan Singh
Chaudhary Charan Singh never faced the Parliament during the tenure.
16. The Deputy Prime Minister of India is appointed by
A. President directly under Constitution
B. Parliament
C. Supreme Court
D. President on the advice of the Prime Minister
President on the advice of the Prime Minister
Since the Constitution of India does not provide for the post of Deputy PM, it is simply a senior minister appointed like other ministers, on the PM’s advice.
17. The real executive power in India lies with
A. President
B. Parliament
C. Judiciary
D. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers exercise the actual executive power under the Parliamentary form of Government.
18. Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of whom?
A. Prime Minister of India
B. Parliament
C. Chief Justice of India
D. President of India
President of India
According to Article 75 of the Constitution of India, Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. However, in practice, the President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister.
19. Who decides the rank and status of ministers in the Council of Ministers?
A. President
B. Parliament
C. Prime Minister
D. Cabinet Secretary
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of India holds the authority to decide the rank, status, and portfolio of ministers in the Council of Ministers.
20. Who among the following chairs the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)?
A. Defence Minister
B. President
C. NSA
D. Prime Minister
Prime Minister
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in India is headed by the Prime Minister.
