Parliamentary System of Government

President: In India, the President is the ceremonial head of state (nominal executive authority)/(de jure
executive)

Prime Minister : Prime Minister is the head of government (real executive authority)/(de facto executive)

Appointment of the Prime Minister

Article 75 : States that the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, President appoints the leader
of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.

Majority and Discretion : When no party has a clear majority, the President may use discretion to
appoint the Prime Minister, typically asking the appointee to prove majority support in the Lok
Sabha.

Historical Examples : Instances where the President used discretion include:

1979: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy appointed Charan Singh.

1984: Zail Singh appointed Rajiv Gandhi after Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Death of an Incumbent Prime Minister : If a Prime Minister dies suddenly, the President may appoint a
new leader, as seen in 1984 with Rajiv Gandhi.

Oath, Term, and Salary

Oath : The Prime Minister takes an oath of office and secrecy, pledging allegiance to the Constitution and
confidentiality in official matters.

Term : The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure of the President,this doesn’t mean he can be removed
by the president , meaning they can remain in office as long as they have the confidence of the Lok
Sabha,when confidence loses he has to resign or he will be removed by the president

Salary : Determined by Parliament, includes allowances and benefits.

Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister

In Relation to the Council of Ministers

1. Recommending Ministers : Suggests who should be ministers.

Example: Narendra Modi recommending Nirmala Sitharaman as the Finance Minister.

Example: Modi assigning Amit Shah as the Home Minister in 2019.

3. Resignation and Dismissal : Can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss a minister.

Example: Modi reshuffling the cabinet in July 2021, asking some ministers to resign.

4. Meetings : Leads and influences decisions in council meetings.

Example: Modi chairing a cabinet meeting on COVID 19 response.

5. Guidance : Directs and coordinates the work of all ministers.

Example: Modi directing all ministers to work towards "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self reliant India).

6. Council's Stability : The council collapses if the Prime Minister resigns or dies.

Example: The council dissolved when Morarji Desai resigned in 1979.

In Relation to the President

1. Main Communicator : Communicates between the President and the council of ministers.

Example: Modi briefing President Kovind on government decisions.

2. Advisory Role : Advises the President on important appointments.

Example: Modi advising the President on appointing N.V. Ramana as Chief Justice of India in 2021.

In Relation to Parliament

1. Lower House Leader : Leads the Lok Sabha.

Example: Modi leading the BJP in the Lok Sabha.

2. Advises President : Suggests when to call and end Parliament sessions.

Example: Modi advising on the schedule of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

3. Dissolution : Can recommend dissolving the Lok Sabha.

Example: In 2019, Modi recommended the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha for fresh elections.

4. Policy Announcements : Announces government policies in the Lok Sabha.

Example: Modi announcing the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Other Roles

1. Chairing Bodies : Leads important councils and committees.

Example: Modi as chairman of NITI Aayog.

2. Foreign Policy : Plays a key role in shaping foreign policy.

Example: Modi's "Neighborhood First" policy.

3. Spokesperson : Main spokesperson for the government.

Example: Modi addressing the nation on important issues like demonetization.

4. Crisis Manager : Handles political crises.

Example: Modi managing the response during the COVID 19 pandemic.

5. National Leader : Meets with various groups to address their issues.

Example: Modi meeting with farmers to discuss agricultural reforms.

6. Party Leader : Heads the ruling party.

Example: Modi as the leader of BJP.

7. Services Head : Political leader of the services.

Example: Modi overseeing the military during the 2019 Balakot airstrike.

Role Descriptions

Primus Inter Pares : "First among equals," highlighting the Prime Minister's central role.

Example: Modi being the key decision maker in his cabinet.

Key Descriptions :

Various experts describe the Prime Minister as the most important figure in the government.

Relationship with the President

Article 74 : The Prime Minister leads a council of ministers to aid and advise the President.

Article 75 : The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and other ministers are appointed on the
Prime Minister’s advice .

Article 78 : The Prime Minister must keep the President informed about government decisions and
policies.
Chief Ministers Who Became Prime Ministers Examples :

1. Morarji Desai : Chief Minister of Bombay State, became Prime Minister in 1977.

2. Charan Singh : Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, became Prime Minister in 1979.

3. V.P. Singh : Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, became Prime Minister in 1989.

4. P.V. Narasimha Rao : Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, became Prime Minister in 1991.

5. H.D. Deve Gowda : Chief Minister of Karnataka, became Prime Minister in 1996.

6. Narendra Modi : Chief Minister of Gujarat, became Prime Minister in 2014.