STUDY WITH SUDHIR: THE PRIME MINISTER CHAPTER PART 2

Powers and Functions of the Cabinet

PICA (code to remember) : Policies, Implementation, Coordination,

Appointments

a) Formulates the external and domestic policies of the govt.

b) Takes charge of the implementation of those policies
c) Coordinates the functioning of different ministries
d) All major appointments are cleared by the Cabinet

BICOP (code) : Bills, Information, Constitutional amendments,

Ordinance, Presidential Address

a) Decides on the Bills that will be moved in Parliaments ... Called

Official Bills.
b) Ministers answer questions in parliament and provide
information to MPs
c) Any amendment to the constitution is planned by the Cabinet
d) Advises the President on issue of Ordinances
e) Prepares the President's Speech to Parliament (possible one-
mark question)

So you could be asked a question about how the Cabinet is the

most powerful body of the govt ... and list three powers. So
your content will come from the above 9 points.

Relationship between Prime Minister and President

(a) Principal Advisor to President

SAL (code) : Summoning of Parliament, Appointment

of ministers and other posts, Link between President and Council
of ministers

Prime Minister and Cabinet

LAP CR (code) : Leader, Allocates Portfolios, Power to Select &

Dismiss, Coordinate policy, Resignation of PM

a. Leads the cabinet

b. Which minister holds what portfolio is decided by PM
c. PM decides who stays on in the ministry, can recommend
dismissal to President
 d. Coordinates the working of different ministries and policy
matters
e. If the PM resigns, it means resignation of the entire
cabinet (one mark question)

Relationship between Prime Minister and Parliament

LIDS : Leader, Intervention, Defender, Spokesperson

(a) Leader of the Lok Sabha (Exceptions can be there if the PM is not
an MP of the Lok Sabha, for example Manmohan Singh)
(b) Intervenes on critical issues
(c) Defends his government's policies in Parliament
(d) PM is the chief spokesperson of the govt in Parliament

Relationship between Prime Minister and the Nation

Represents the country, ex-officio chairman of Niti Aayog

How is the authority of PM checked?

No-confidence motion

Questions asked in Parliament

Opposition, Press and public opinion

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY : Article 75(3)

Ministers can Differ inside but united outside

Work as a Team

Vote of No Confidence against a Minister (IMPORTANT) : Entire

government has to resign if vote against one minister is carried
through (Possible question)

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible to President (IMPORTANT)

Answerable to Parliament

QUESTION : Who formulates the foreign policy of India? Cabinet

 ReplyForward

Syllabus 2021 :

Appointment, formation of Council of Ministers, tenure

Position and powers of the Prime Minister

Collective and individual responsibility of the members of the Cabinet

Distinction between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet.

Head of the central government as President is a nominal head

PM : Real Executive head of the nation but answerable to the people

of India

Powers exercised by Council of Ministers under leadership of PM

Term of Office : 5 years (* Conditions Apply) (Questions related to

these conditions can be asked)

QUESTION : Who appoints the PM? (often asked question)

Many students write : People of India or the ruling party. Answer is

The President of India

Q. Who appoints the ministers?

Answer : The President, on the advice of the PM.

Difference between Council of Ministers and Cabinet (The most

common doubt among students)

Factoid : 44th Amendment Act introduced the term Cabinet into the
Constitution in 1979

Council of Ministers includes all categories of ministers -

cabinet, Ministers of State and Deputy ministers (no longer
now). Council of ministers rarely meets on a regular basis.
President acts on the advice of Council of Ministers, in reality
it is the cabinet.
Cabinet is a smaller and cohesive group consisting of
senior ministers holding charge of important portfolios like
Home, Defence, Finance. Trusted colleagues of PM. Meets
frequently.

QUESTION : Who are the council of ministers collectively responsible

to? Lok Sabha (possible Section A question) (do not write PM or
President)

Please note : Collectively is the keyword here. Individually

each minister is responsible to the President.

QUESTION : At whose mercy can a minister stay in office? President

(though in reality, it depends on the PM ... because he advises the
President to sack a minister or forwards his resignation)

Oath of office and secrecy

Why is it important? Because the minister swears to bear true faith

and allegiance to the Constitution of India. To uphold the sovereignty
and integrity of India. To faithfully and conscientiously discharge his
duties without fear or favour, action or ill-will.

QUESTION : Hari Ram Awasthi was sworn in as Union

Transport minister in January 2020. But under Constitutional
provisions, he had to resign in July 2020. Give one reason why he
may have had to resign?

Answer : Because he may not have been elected as an MP (either LS

or RS within six months)