Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
~10 min read
- PM: Head of government. Appointed by President under Article 75. Leader of majority party in Lok Sabha.
- Council of Ministers: Aids and advises President (Article 74). PM heads the council. Three ranks: Cabinet, MoS Independent, MoS.
- Collective responsibility: Article 75(3) — council collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. If LS passes no-confidence motion, entire council resigns.
The PM and Council of Ministers form the actual executive of India. While the President is the constitutional head, the PM leads the government. NDA tests Articles 74-78, the structure of the council, and key conventions.
Constitutional Position
Article 74: Council of Ministers headed by PM to aid and advise the President. Their advice is binding (after 42nd Am.); President may ask them to reconsider once.
Article 75: PM appointed by President. Other ministers appointed by President on PM's advice. Council collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
Article 78: PM's duties — communicate Cabinet decisions to President; furnish info on government matters; submit any minister's decision for Cabinet consideration when President asks.
Appointment of PM
Article 75(1): The PM shall be appointed by the President. Convention:
- If a party has clear majority in Lok Sabha: leader of that party.
- If no clear majority: leader of largest party / alliance most likely to command confidence.
- If still no clarity: President exercises discretion.
PM need not be a member of Lok Sabha at the time of appointment — must become a member of either house within 6 months. (Indira Gandhi was PM while a Rajya Sabha member; Manmohan Singh was an RS member throughout.)
Composition of Council of Ministers
| Rank | Role |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Minister | Heads major ministries; member of Cabinet (top decision body) |
| Minister of State (MoS), Independent Charge | Heads a ministry independently; not in Cabinet |
| Minister of State (MoS) | Assists a Cabinet Minister; not in Cabinet |
| Deputy Minister | Now rare; assists Cabinet or MoS minister |
91st Amendment (2003): Total council size capped at 15% of Lok Sabha strength.
Collective and Individual Responsibility
Collective responsibility (Article 75(3)): Council collectively answerable to Lok Sabha. If a no-confidence motion passes against any minister, the entire council resigns. Cabinet decisions are binding on all ministers — disagree privately, agree publicly (or resign).
Individual responsibility (Article 75(2)): Each minister holds office during the pleasure of the President (effectively, the PM). PM can ask any minister to resign at any time.
Quick Facts
- 1st PM: Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964); longest-serving PM (17 years).
- 1st female PM: Indira Gandhi (1966-77, 1980-84).
- Shortest tenure: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's first stint in 1996 — 13 days.
- Non-Congress PMs: Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, V.P. Singh, Chandrashekhar, Deve Gowda, Gujral, Vajpayee, Modi.
- Council cap: 15% of LS strength (91st Am., 2003). For 545-seat LS, max ~81 ministers.
- PM not from LS at appointment: Allowed for 6 months. Indira Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh.
NDA PYQ Examples
Q: Who appoints the Prime Minister?
(a) Speaker of Lok Sabha (b) Chief Justice (c) President (d) Vice-President
Answer: (c) President — Article 75(1).
Q: The maximum size of the Council of Ministers is:
(a) 10% of LS strength (b) 15% of LS strength (c) 20% of LS strength (d) No limit
Answer: (b) 15% of LS strength — 91st Amendment, 2003.
Q: Collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers is to:
(a) President (b) Rajya Sabha (c) Lok Sabha (d) Supreme Court
Answer: (c) Lok Sabha — Article 75(3).
Drill Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for NDA
NDA-pattern items on Prime Minister and Council of Ministers with answer keys and explanations.
Start Free Mock TestFrequently Asked Questions
Can the PM be from the Rajya Sabha?
Yes — Article 75 doesn't restrict the PM to Lok Sabha. Indira Gandhi (1980), P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh were Rajya Sabha members during their tenures.
What is the difference between Cabinet and Council of Ministers?
Council of Ministers = all ministers (Cabinet + MoS-IC + MoS). Cabinet = only Cabinet-rank ministers — smaller, takes major policy decisions. The term 'Cabinet' isn't in the original Constitution; added by 44th Amendment 1978 as Article 352(3).
What is a 'kitchen cabinet'?
An informal inner circle of trusted advisers around the PM, often non-Cabinet members. Used colloquially for a small advisory group; not a constitutional body.
Can a non-MP be appointed as Minister?
Yes — but must become a member of either House within 6 months. Otherwise, they cease to be a minister.
What is no-confidence motion?
A motion moved in Lok Sabha against the Council of Ministers. If it passes (simple majority of members present and voting), the entire Council resigns. Has been used successfully twice — against Morarji Desai (1979) and V.P. Singh (1990).