Describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India.

There is no direct election to the post of the Prime Minister. The President appoints the Prime Minister. But the President cannot appoint anyone he likes. He appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as Prime Minister. In case no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure a majority support. The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure. He continues in power so long as he remains the leader of the majority party or coalition. Since the Prime Minister is the head of the government, he enjoys wide-ranging powers : (i) He chairs Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are final in case disagreements arise between Departments. (ii) He exercises general supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under his leadership. (iii) The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. (iv) He also has the power to dismiss ministers. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits. Thus, the Prime Minister is the most powerful person within the Cabinet.

How is the President of India elected? Describe the powers and functions of the President?

The President of India is the head of the State. He exercises only nominal powers. He is not elected directly by the people. All the members of Parliament i.e. MPs and Members of State Legislative Assemblies i.e. MLAs elect him. A candidate standing for President's post has to get a majority of votes to win the election. This ensures that the President can be seen to represent the entire nation. The President supervises the overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country so that they operate in harmony to achieve the objections of the State. He exercises the following powers : (i) All the governmental activities take place in the name of the President. (ii) All laws and major policy decisions of the government are issued in his name. (iii) All major appointments are made in the name of the President. These include the appointment of the Chief Justice of India, the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts of the States, the Government of the States, the Election Commissioners, ambassadors to other countries, etc. (iv) All international treaties and agreements are made in the name of the President. (v) The President is the supreme commander of the defence forces of India. But the President exercises all these powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice. But if the same advice is given again, he is bound to act according to it. In the same way, a bill passed by the Parliament becomes a law only after the President gives assent to it. If the President wants, he can delay this for some time and send the bill back to the Parliament for reconsideration. But if the Parliament passes the bill again, he has to sign it.

How is the Prime Minister elected?

The Prime Minister is elected by the Members of Parliament. Out of 545 seats in Lok Sabha, any party who wins a majority of seats choose their leader to be the head of the Government. Article 75 of the Constitution provides that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President but the President has to appoint the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister. But when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha the President can exercise his personal discretion in the appointment of Prime Minister.

Describe the three categories of ministers which constitute the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers is the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers. It usually has 60 to 80 Ministers of different ranks (i) Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties who are in-charge of the major ministries. Usually the Cabinet Ministers meet to take decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers. Cabinet is thus the inner ring of the Council of Ministers. It comprises about 20 ministers. (ii) Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited. (iii) Ministers of State are attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers.

The minimum age required for becoming the Prime Minister of India is _______________.

A person will be eligible to become the Prime Minister if he is a citizen of India and a member of either house of the Parliament. He must have completed 25 years of age in case he is a member of Lok Sabha and 30 years in case of Rajya Sabha.

Who among the following is a part of Political Executive?

Out of the given option Home minister is the political executive. One that is elected by the people for a specific period is called the political executive.

Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.

In a Parliamentary democracy only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister. This is to ensure that the Prime Minister secures a majority support. This prevents him/her from being either a puppet or a dictator since he/she has to function along with a council of ministers.

Explain the Council of Ministers.

The Prime Minister is the Head of the Government. He is the real executive authority. The council of ministers is the ministers which hold ministry in the Particular government and lead by the head I.e., Prime Minister. These ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and perform executive functions. Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution of India deal with the council of ministers and Prime Minister. Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.

'The Prime Minister of a coalition government faces certain constraints'. Explain.

(i) The rise of coalition politics has imposed certain constraints on the power of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot take decisions as he likes. (ii) He has to accommodate different groups and factions in his party as well as among the alliance partners. (iii) He also has to heed to the views and positions of the coalition partners and other parties, on whose support the survival of the government depends.

Mention three important functions (powers) of the Prime Minister.

Functions (powers) of the Prime Minister are as below:1. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the president.2. He presides over the meetings of the council of ministers and influences its decisions.3. He is the principal channel of communication between the president and the council of ministers.

President | Definition, Examples, Diagrams

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President of India

The executive power of the Indian Union is vested in the President. The President is the Head of the State and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces of India. The President exercises his powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. He is also responsible for constituting of the judiciary.

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Qualifications for election of the President

i) He should be an Indian citizen;
ii) He should have completed the age of 35 years;
iii) He is qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.

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Manner of election

The election of the President is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.

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Oath and term of the office of the President

Before entering upon his office, the President takes an oath in the presence of the Chief Justice of India to:
i) discharge his functions;
ii) preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law, and
iii) devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India.
The President holds office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

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Vacation of office

1. The President may submit his resignation letter to the Vice-President who submits the same to the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
2. The President may be removed from the office for violation of the Constitution by the process of impeachment.

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Procedure for impeachment of the President

The impeachment is to be initiated by either House of Parliament. The charges are to be framed in the form of resolution, signed at least by 1/4 th members of the total members of the House. The President has to be given a notice of 14 days in advance. The resolution is to be passed by 2/3 rd majority of the total members of the House and then it is to be sent to other House for investigation and decision. If the other House after investigation sustains the charges and passes the identical resolution with 2/3 rd majority of the total membership, the President ceases to hold office from the date such resolution is passed.

President

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President of India

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Qualifications for election of the President

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Manner of election

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Oath and term of the office of the President

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Vacation of office

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Procedure for impeachment of the President

REVISE WITH CONCEPTS

Powers and Functions of the President of India

Prime Minister

Council of Ministers

Quick Summary With Stories

Introduction to the President of India

Parliamentary and Presidential Democracy

The President of India: Qualification and Election

Describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India.

How is the President of India elected? Describe the powers and functions of the President?

How is the Prime Minister elected?

Describe the three categories of ministers which constitute the Council of Ministers.

The minimum age required for becoming the Prime Minister of India is _______________.

Who among the following is a part of Political Executive?

Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.

Explain the Council of Ministers.

'The Prime Minister of a coalition government faces certain constraints'. Explain.

Mention three important functions (powers) of the Prime Minister.