PRIME MINISTER AND COUNCIL

OF MINISTERS
 Most important and powerful
executive in India.
Head of the council of ministers
Powers of the President are actually
exercised by the Prime Minister and
PRIME MINISTER: CHIEF the Council of ministers.
ARCHITECT OF THE
GOVERNMENT
LORD MERLEY- The Prime
Minister is the key stone of cabinet
arch.
H.J LASKI- Prime minister is central
to the life and death of the cabinet.
 APPOINTMENT AND TENURE

• The prime minister shall be appointed by

the President – ARTICLE 75
• MUST be a member of the Lok sabha or
Rajya sabha
• Usual tenure is 5 years
• Salary and allowances are fixed by the
parliament from time to time.
 POWERS AND FUNTIONS

 FORMATION OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS:-

PM prepares a list of ministers, according to their will and advises the President to appoint them. Number of
ministers should not exceed 15% of the total number of members in Lok sabha.
 CONTROL OVER COUNCIL OF MINISTERS:-
After formation of ministers, portfolios are allocated to them. If, the Prime Minister finds them inefficient,
they can ask him to resign. The Prime Minister exercise their function.
 LEADER OF THE CABINET
The PM can call for a cabinet meeting whenever necessary and prepares the agenda for the meeting. All
major decisions are taken by the PM and co-ordinates with the policies of his ministers.
 LINK BETWEEN CABINET AND PRESIDENT
Duty of the PM to communicate to the President of all the decisions taken in the cabinet and furnish details
relating to administration of the Union and proposals of legislation if asked by the President- ARTICLE 78.
 LEADER OF THE HOUSE
Leader of the house in which the PM is elected. PM lays down national and foreign policies and seeks support of
the opposition on important national issues. When the concerned minister fails to answer a question, the PM needs
to clarify it.
 POWER OF APPOINTMENT
The Chief Justice of India, judges of the Supreme court and the High courts, the Attorney General of India, the
Chiefs of three wings of defence forces, governors, ambassadors, chairman and other members of various
commissions are appointed by the PM.
 LEADER OF THE NATION
Represents the nation in various delegations and in international organizations. Addresses the nation on various
issues, major decisions about war and peace are taken, has to take responsibility for success or failure of the
policies.
 OTHER POWERS
Chairman of the Planning Commission, National development council, National integration council and inter-state
council. Special position in the executive machinery of the government. Captain of the cabinet government. Must
also ensure effective implementation of the policies.
 ARTICLE 74[1]- mention of the council of
ministers with the prime minister

Council of ministers comprises of different

kinds of ministers
 Minsters of Cabinet rank
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS  Ministers of state and ministers of state with
independent charge
 Deputy ministers
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

• ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
Real executive in the country. Advises the President to make appointments of high functionaries. Formulates
policies after discussing national and international problems. Responsible for the effective functioning of their
individual departments.
• LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS
Decides the agenda of the parliament. Decides which bills should be discussed and debated in the parliament. When
questions are raised they need to defend the bill.
• COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Collectively responsible for all the decisions taken and implemented by all the ministers. Need to tender their
resignation when the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against them. They either swim or sink together.
• INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
Concerned ministers are responsible for the effective working of their respective portfolio. Individually responsible
and answerable to the Legislature.
• CO-ORDINATION
There should be a co-ordination in the departments and the cabinet is responsible for
that. Must co-ordinate the functions for the effective implementation of welfare
policies of the Government.

• SECRECY
It is a constitutional obligation not to disclose any cabinet decision. Rational and
independent policy making is possible only when secrecy of cabinet proceedings are
ensured. Highly confidential.
 UNION EXECUTIVE

PRESIDENT

PRIME MINISTER

CABINET DEPUTY MINISTERS MINISTERS OF

MINISTERS STATES
THANK YOU