Prime Minister of India – Notes [GK PDF]

Prime Minister of India

The Prime Minister of India is the executive head of India. He is also the most important member of the cabinet. The Prime Minister has the real power of the cabinet as well as the central government. The topic “Prime Minister of India” is important for the preliminary, main paper of the UPSC exam. This article provides an overview of the Prime Minister, his/her functions, and role in the development of the country.

Prime Minister of India – an important note for any competitive govt job exams such as IAS, UPSC, Banking, Railway, WBCS, etc. Dear Aspirants, if you are preparing for a competitive exam, this note is definitely going to be helpful for you.

According to Great Britain, India’s government is parliamentary. According to the characteristics of such a system of government, the real power is vested in the cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of this cabinet.

In the Republic of India, although the President is the constitutional head of the country, the omnipotence in running the country rests with the Prime Minister. The President appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha with the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Generally, one cannot become the Prime Minister without being a member of any house of Parliament. However, A person can be the Prime Minister without being a Member of Parliament, but in this case, he has to become a Member of Parliament within six months. Otherwise, there is a provision to remove him from the post of Prime Minister immediately. The term of office of the Prime Minister is five years. During this time he serves as the leader of the Lok Sabha.

The actual governing power of India is vested in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, although all powers of the Government of India are vested in the President. One of the responsibilities and duties of the Prime Minister is to form the cabinet, lead the cabinet, advise the President, distribute portfolios among the ministers, formulate the agenda of the cabinet and maintain coordination among the various departments. The Prime Minister decides which minister will run which department.

The Prime Minister is the link between the Union Cabinet and the President. According to the Indian Constitution, the Prime Minister informs the President on all important decisions of the Union Cabinet. The Prime Minister is obliged to inform him if the President wants to know about any matter.

Professor J.C. Johari has described the current situation of influence of the Prime Minister of India is “Presidentialisation of the Prime Minister’s Office.”

According to Article 74 (1) of the Constitution of India, to assist and advise the President in carrying out his functions, there shall be a Cabinet with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of that cabinet.

According to Article 75 (1) of the Constitution, the President appoints the prime minister. The President appoints other Ministers also on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Usually, the majority party leader in the Lok Sabha has to be chosen as the Prime Minister.

In this way, more than one prime minister has been appointed. Examples are Charan Singh (1979), V.P. Singh (1989), Chandrasekhar (1990), Narasimha Rao (1991), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996), Devgaura (1996), i. K Gujral (1997) and again Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998).

Note: It is relevant to mention that the candidate for the post of Prime Minister does not have to prove his majority in the Lok Sabha before being appointed. In 1980, the Delhi High Court explained the matter. The president might first appoint the prime minister and then ask him to prove his majority in the legislature within a given time.

Term of Prime Minister of India

The term of the Prime Minister is 5 years. According to the constitution, the president appoints the prime minister. But this power of the President is only formal. The Prime Minister convenes the Cabinet with the President (Article 78). However, the term of office of the Prime Minister can be increased from 5 years to 6 years during a state of emergency.

Recruitment, Eligibility, Salary of the Prime Minister.

Recruitment: The President appoints the Prime Minister. However, the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha usually becomes the Prime Minister.

Eligibility:

1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must be a Member of Parliament.
3. Must be 25 years old (for a member of Lok Sabha)
4. Must be 30 years old (for a member of Rajya Sabha)
5. He must not hold any office of profit under the government of India or state govt.

Note: However, the prime minister can remain for six months without being a member of parliament.

The post of Prime Minister could be vacant for the following reasons:

1. Death of Prime Minister
2. No confidence in the legislature
3. If the Lok Sabha has already been dissolved.

Salary: The salary of the Prime Minister of India is Rs. 280,000. He also enjoys benefits from other allowances.

Powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India

1. The Prime Minister is the chief executive of India.
2. He is the most responsible person for running the government and maintaining the laws.
3. Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.
4. He appoints Cabinet Ministers and allocates portfolios to them.
5. The Prime Minister is the Chairman of inter-state relations between the states and the center.
6. He is also the head of the Planning Commission, Niti Ayog.
7. Prime Minister advises the President of India to (1) appoint and dismiss officials, (2) the declaration of emergencies.
8. The Prime Minister represents the country on the international stage.
9. He also engages in diplomatic relations with other nations.
10. The Prime Minister formulates policies and programs for the country.
11. Prime Minister can submit his resignation to the President.
12. He may also advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections.
13. Prime Minister represents India at international forums, such as the United Nations, G20, and other.

There are three types of ministers under the Prime Minister:

1. Cabinet Ministers.
2. Ministers of State (Independent Charge)
3. Ministers of State.

These three ministers are collectively called the Union Cabinet.

Note: The Prime Minister must collaborate with the President and Cabinet, and their authority is based on maintaining the majority in the Lok Sabha.

Articles Related to Prime Minister

Under Article 75 (3), the Union Cabinet is jointly responsible to the Legislature.

According to Article 75 (2), the Union Cabinet is jointly responsible to the Prime Minister.

The 39th Amendment to the Constitution (in 1975) states that Parliament shall set up a body to resolve disputes over the election of the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

There is not much information mentioned in the constitution about the power and function of PM in India.

Dismissal of Prime Minister of India

• Non-confidence motion should be brought in the Lok Sabha by the opposition.
• Signatures of 2/3^rd of the members of the parliament are mandatory.
• When the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister was passed in the Lok Sabha, subject to the President’s permission, the entire Cabinet was dissolved with the Prime Minister.

Info on Indian Prime Ministers

List of Prime Ministers in India

FAQs Prime Minister of India

Download The Prime Minister of India Notes PDF