Complete Guide to the Prime Minister of India: Polity Notes for SSC, Railway, State PCS & UPSC
Introduction
In the Parliamentary system of government in India, the President is the nominal executive (de jure executive), while the Prime Minister is the real executive (de facto executive). In simple words, the President is the head of the State, but the Prime Minister is the head of the Government.
If you are preparing for SSC, Railways, State PCS, or UPSC, the “Prime Minister” is one of the most high-yielding topics in the Indian Polity section. This guide breaks down everything you need to know in a simple, exam-oriented manner.
Important Articles Related to the Prime Minister
The Constitution of India mentions the Prime Minister in three major articles:
- Article 74: There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. (The President must act on this advice after the 42nd and 44th Amendments).
- Article 75: The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President. Other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Article 78: It deals with the duties of the Prime Minister to communicate all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union to the President.
Appointment & Qualifications
How is the Prime Minister Appointed?
- The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for the selection of the Prime Minister.
- Article 75 only says that the PM is appointed by the President.
- Convention: The President invites the leader of the majority party (or coalition) in the Lok Sabha to form the government.
- If no party has a clear majority, the President uses their discretionary power to appoint the PM and asks them to prove their majority in the Lok Sabha within a month (e.g., Chaudhary Charan Singh in 1979).
Qualifications to Become Prime Minister
To become the Prime Minister of India, a person must be:
- A citizen of India.
- A member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. (If a person is not a member of either House, they can still become PM, but they must become a member of either House within six months, otherwise, they lose the post).
- Minimum Age: * 25 years if they are a member of the Lok Sabha.
- 30 years if they are a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Oath, Term, and Salary
- Oath: The oath of office and secrecy is administered by the President of India.
- Term: The term of the PM is not fixed. The PM holds office during the pleasure of the President. However, this does not mean the President can dismiss the PM anytime. As long as the PM enjoys a majority in the Lok Sabha, they cannot be dismissed.
- Salary: The salary and allowances of the PM are determined by Parliament from time to time. They get the salary of a regular Member of Parliament (MP), plus special allowances.
Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister
The PM plays a crucial role in the Indian political system. Their powers can be grouped into different categories:
1. In Relation to the Council of Ministers
- Recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the President.
- Allocates and reshuffles portfolios (departments) among ministers.
- Can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss them.
- Presides over the meetings of the Council of Ministers.
2. In Relation to the President
- Acts as the main link of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers (Article 78).
- Advises the President on important appointments like the Attorney General of India, CAG, Chief Election Commissioner, Chairman and Members of UPSC, etc.
3. In Relation to the Parliament
- Advises the President to summon and prorogue (end) the sessions of the Parliament.
- Can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time.
- Announces government policies on the floor of the House.
4. Other Important Roles (Exam Favorites)
The Prime Minister is the Ex-Officio Chairman of:
- NITI Aayog (formerly Planning Commission)
- National Development Council (NDC)
- National Integration Council (NIC)
- Inter-State Council
- National Water Resources Council
🚨 Exam Traps & Confusing Points (Must Read)
- Trap 1: “The PM must be a member of the Lok Sabha.”
- Correction: False. The PM can be from either House. Example: Indira Gandhi (1966), H.D. Deve Gowda (1996), and Manmohan Singh (2004, 2009) were Rajya Sabha members when they became PM.
- Trap 2: “The PM is elected directly by the people.”
- Correction: False. The PM is appointed by the President. We elect Members of Parliament (MPs), not the PM directly.
- Trap 3: “The term of the PM is exactly 5 years.”
- Correction: False. The term is not fixed. They hold office during the pleasure of the President (as long as they have the majority in Lok Sabha).
- Important Amendment: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003) states that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Quick Revision Facts (Previous Year SSC/Railway Focus)
- First Prime Minister: Jawaharlal Nehru (Longest-serving PM).
- First Woman Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi.
- First Non-Congress Prime Minister: Morarji Desai (He also became PM at the oldest age – 81 years, and was the first PM to resign from office).
- PM who never faced the Parliament: Chaudhary Charan Singh.
- Youngest Prime Minister: Rajiv Gandhi.
- PMs who died in office: Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi.
- Only PM to die outside India: Lal Bahadur Shastri (in Tashkent, 1966).
Practice MCQs for Polity Revision
Q1. Who among the following administers the oath of office to the Prime Minister of India?
A) Chief Justice of India
B) President of India
C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
D) Vice President
- Answer: B) President of India
- Explanation: The President administers the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other ministers.
Q2. What is the minimum age to become the Prime Minister of India if he/she is a member of the Rajya Sabha?
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years
D) 21 years
- Answer: B) 30 years
- Explanation: If the PM is from the Lok Sabha, the minimum age is 25. Since the question specifies Rajya Sabha, the minimum age is 30 years.
Q3. Which Article of the Constitution states that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President?
A) Article 74
B) Article 75
C) Article 78
D) Article 61
- Answer: B) Article 75
- Explanation: Article 75 states that the PM shall be appointed by the President, and other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the PM.
Q4. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairman of which of the following?
A) Finance Commission
B) NITI Aayog
C) Election Commission
D) Union Public Service Commission
- Answer: B) NITI Aayog
- Explanation: The PM is the ex-officio chairman of NITI Aayog, National Integration Council, Inter-State Council, etc.
Q5. A person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as Prime Minister for a maximum period of:
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 1 year
D) Cannot be appointed
- Answer: B) 6 months
- Explanation: A non-member can become PM but must get elected or nominated to either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha within six months.
Short Revision Summary
The Prime Minister is the real executive head of India. Appointed by the President (Article 75), the PM must be a majority leader in the Lok Sabha. They can belong to either the Lok Sabha (min. age 25) or the Rajya Sabha (min. age 30). The PM links the President and the Cabinet (Article 78). They hold office during the pleasure of the President but cannot be removed as long as they have a majority in the Lok Sabha. The total size of the Council of Ministers, including the PM, cannot exceed 15% of the Lok Sabha strength (91st Amendment).
