Indian Cabinet and Prime Minister JYOTI Assistant Professor Department of Political Science PGGC-11 Chandigarh

The second and the most important organ of the Union executive is the Indian Cabinet or Council of Ministers. The Indian Cabinet is the real executive of the country. The President is the nominal head of the executive. His powers are actually used by the Council of Ministers. Formation and Organization of Indian Cabinet: Constitutional Basis of Council of Ministers Appointment of Prime Minister Appointment of Other Ministers Ministers must be Members of Parliament Oath of Office and Secrecy Number of Ministers

Categories of Ministers: Cabinet Ministers Ministers of State Deputy Minister Parliamentary Secretaries Distribution of Portfolios Tenure of Council of Ministers Salary and Allowances of Ministers Meetings of Cabinet

Difference between Cabinet and Council of Ministers The Council of Ministers consists of all big and small ministers (cabinet , state , deputy) but in the cabinet only the heads of important departments or senior ministers are included. The Cabinet is the real ruler and determines policies regarding administration. All the members of the cabinet are the members of the Council of Ministers but all the members of the Council of Ministers are not the members of the Cabinet. The basis of the Council of Ministers is Constitutional but of the cabinet it is the convention.

Basic Principles of the working of Cabinet System in India President is the nominal head of the State President does not attend the meetings of the Cabinet Close relationship between Cabinet and Parliament The Council of Ministers is the real executive Collective Responsibility Individual Responsibility of Ministers Leadership of the Prime Minister Co-ordination between the Council of ministers and Parliament Political Homogeneity Principle of Secrecy Uncertain Tenure of the Real Executive Right to dissolve the Lok Sabha

Powers and Functions of the Cabinet Formulation of Policies Administrative Policies Legislative Functions Financial Functions Appointments Diplomatic Functions Proclamation of Emergency A Co-ordinating Agency As an Advisor to the President

Prime Minister In Parliamentary system, the office of the Prime Minister is one of greatness and glory. If President is the Constitutional head of the State, the Prime Minister is the real head of the government. Prime Minister is the key stone of cabinet arch. The Prime Minister is the pivot around which the whole system of Government revolves. Appointment: Constitutionally, the President appoints the Prime Minister but in practice the President does not act according to his will and discretion while appointing the Prime Minister. He has to appoint that person the Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.

Powers and Role of the Prime Minister Formation of Council of Minister Distribution of Portfolio Re-organization of Council of Minister Presides over the meeting of Cabinet Co-ordination of different Department Chief Advisor of the President Link between the Cabinet and the President Leader of Lok Sabha Leader of the Nation Leader of the party Chief spokesman of the Government in foreign Policy Right to dissolve the Parliament Arbitrator of Inter-State Disputes Power of making appointments and granting Honours