Topic 04 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Indian Polity
Prime Minister of India — Powers & Functions
Appointment, powers and functions, relationship with President, Council of Ministers, and collective responsibility.
📋 In This Article
1. Appointment of PM
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President (Article 75). Key points:
- The President appoints the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha as PM
- If no party has a clear majority, the President uses discretion to invite the leader of the largest party or coalition
- The PM must be a member of Parliament — if not, must become one within 6 months
- The PM can be a member of either House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha)
⭐ Exam Fact: H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral were Prime Ministers who were members of Rajya Sabha (not Lok Sabha). Manmohan Singh was also a Rajya Sabha member when he was PM.
2. Powers and Functions
The PM is the real executive — the most powerful person in the Indian government. Key powers:
In relation to the Council of Ministers
- Recommends appointment of all ministers to the President
- Allocates portfolios to ministers
- Can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss them
- Chairs Cabinet meetings
- Coordinates the work of all ministries
- Can bring about the collapse of the government by resigning
In relation to the President
- Is the link between the President and the Cabinet
- Communicates all Cabinet decisions to the President
- Advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament
- Advises the President on dissolution of Lok Sabha
- Advises the President on appointment of important constitutional functionaries
In relation to Parliament
- Announces government policies in Parliament
- Leads the ruling party in Parliament
- Advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament
Other Powers
- Chairs the NITI Aayog (formerly Planning Commission)
- Chairs the National Development Council
- Chairs the National Integration Council
- Represents India in international forums
3. Relationship with President
💡 Key Idea: The relationship between the President and PM is like that between the Queen and the Prime Minister in the UK. The President is the constitutional head; the PM is the real executive. The President acts on the advice of the PM and Cabinet.
Key constitutional provisions:
- Article 74: Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President
- Article 75: PM appointed by President; ministers appointed on PM’s advice
- 44th Amendment: President must act on Cabinet’s advice (can ask for reconsideration once)
4. Collective Responsibility
Article 75(3) provides that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means:
- All ministers stand or fall together
- If Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence, all ministers must resign
- Ministers must publicly support all Cabinet decisions
- A minister who cannot support a Cabinet decision must resign
✅ Remember: Individual responsibility means each minister is individually responsible for their ministry. A minister can be asked to resign for personal misconduct even if the Cabinet retains confidence. The PM can ask any minister to resign at any time.
5. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- PM appointed by President (Article 75)
- PM must be member of Parliament — if not, within 6 months
- PM can be from either House (LS or RS)
- Article 74: Council of Ministers to aid and advise President
- Article 75(3): Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
- PM is the real executive; President is nominal
- PM chairs Cabinet meetings
- PM is the link between President and Cabinet
- PM can advise President to dissolve Lok Sabha
- Manmohan Singh, Deve Gowda, Gujral: PMs from Rajya Sabha