Prime Minister and Council of Ministers: Articles, Appointment, Powers, Collective Responsibility and Cabinet for SSC

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are the real executive of India under the parliamentary system. SSC polity regularly asks about the articles, the appointment, the size of the council and the principle of collective responsibility. This guide on Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for SSC covers all of these in tables, with practice questions and FAQs.

Parliamentary Executive: The Idea

India follows the Westminster model, where the President is the nominal head and the real executive power lies with the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister (Articles 74 and 75).

Important Articles

Appointment of the Prime Minister

• The President appoints the Prime Minister (Art. 75(1)). In practice, the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha is appointed.
• If no party has a majority, the President uses his discretion and invites the person who is likely to command a majority.
• The PM need not be a member of Parliament at the time of appointment but must become one within six months (Art. 75(5)).
• The PM can be a member of either house; Indira Gandhi, Deve Gowda, I. K. Gujral and Manmohan Singh were Rajya Sabha members.
• The PM holds office as long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha; there is no fixed term.
• Oath: administered by the President; the salary and allowances are fixed by Parliament.

Council of Ministers

• The 91st Amendment Act (2003) limits the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (about 81 ministers); in the states, 15% of the assembly, with a minimum of 12 ministers.
• The ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• The council has no fixed term; the minister serves during the pleasure of the President.
• The Cabinet meets under the Prime Minister and is assisted by the Cabinet Secretariat, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, the highest civil servant.
• The Cabinet has committees: the Appointments Committee, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Economic Affairs and Security, headed by the PM.
• The term “Kitchen Cabinet” refers to a small informal group of trusted ministers and advisers.

Collective and Individual Responsibility

• A motion of no confidence can be moved only in the Lok Sabha; it needs the support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
• The Council of Ministers is not responsible to the Rajya Sabha.
• The Lok Sabha can also express its lack of confidence by rejecting a money bill or the budget or by a censure motion.

Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister

• Head of the Council of Ministers: recommends the appointment and dismissal of the ministers and allocates portfolios.
• Link between the President and the Council of Ministers (Art. 78).
• Chairperson of the NITI Aayog, the National Development Council (earlier), and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Leader of the Lok Sabha; can advise the President to dissolve the house.
• Principal spokesman of the government and foreign policy and in charge of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
• The PM is called “primus inter pares” (first among equals) in the cabinet, and the “keystone of the arch” according to Nehru.

Prime Ministers of India (Selected)

Related Offices

Tricks to Remember

• Art. 74: Council of Ministers aids the President; Art. 75: PM and ministers, collective responsibility.
• The 91st Amendment: 15% of the Lok Sabha.
• Collective responsibility is to the Lok Sabha only.
• The PM has to be a member of Parliament within 6 months.

Quick Tips

• Learn the key articles 74, 75 and 78.
• Remember the 15% limit under the 91st Amendment.
• Remember that collective responsibility is to the Lok Sabha.
• Remember the 6 months rule for a non-member PM.

Quick Revision Points

• Art. 75(3): collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha.
• The 91st Amendment limits the Council to 15% of the Lok Sabha.
• The PM is appointed by the President.
• The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Leader of the Opposition needs 10% of the seats.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which article provides for the Council of Ministers to aid the President?
   Answer: Article 74
2. Who appoints the Prime Minister?
   Answer: The President
3. To which house is the Council of Ministers collectively responsible?
   Answer: Lok Sabha
4. Which amendment limited the size of the Council of Ministers?
   Answer: 91st Amendment (2003)
5. What is the maximum size of the Council of Ministers?
   Answer: 15% of the Lok Sabha strength
6. Who is the first law officer of India?
   Answer: Attorney General
7. Within how many months must a non-member PM become an MP?
   Answer: Six months
8. Who is the head of the Cabinet Secretariat?
   Answer: Cabinet Secretary
9. Who was the first non-Congress PM?
   Answer: Morarji Desai
10. Which article gives the PM the duty to communicate to the President?
    Answer: Article 78

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Indian Polity notes page, read the previous topic Making of the Constitution and the next topic Governor, Chief Minister and State Legislature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?

The President.

What is Article 75?

The article that deals with the appointment, term, responsibility and oath of ministers.

What is collective responsibility?

The principle that the Council of Ministers is jointly responsible to the Lok Sabha.

What is the maximum size of the Council of Ministers?

15% of the Lok Sabha strength, as per the 91st Amendment.

Can a person who is not an MP become the PM?

Yes, but he must be elected to Parliament within six months.

What is the Cabinet?

The inner group of senior ministers, which takes the major decisions.

Who is the Cabinet Secretary?

The top civil servant who heads the Cabinet Secretariat.

Who was the first Prime Minister of India?

Jawaharlal Nehru.

Who is the Attorney General?

The first law officer of India appointed by the President.

What is the status of the Leader of Opposition?

He has the status of a cabinet minister, and the post requires 10% of the seats.

Is this topic asked in SSC?

Yes. The union executive is a core part of polity.

What is a no-confidence motion?

A motion moved in the Lok Sabha to express a lack of confidence in the government.