Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Financial powers of Cabinet

1. Budget 2. Finances of the government 3. Introduction of money bills

Legislative powers of Cabinet

1. Introduction of bills 2. Source of information 3. Amendment to the constitution 4. Summoning the houses of parliament 5. President's special address 6. Issuing ordinances

Administrative powers of Cabinet

1. Policy making 2. Implementation of policies 3. Coordinates the functioning of various ministers 4. Appointments

Term of Office of the Cabinet

1. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are directly resposible to the Lok Sabha and can remain in office as long as they have majority support in the Lok Sabha. 2. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. 3. Before a minister enters his office, the President administers the Oath of Office and Secrecy in which the minister swears to: a. Bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution of India. b. Uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. c. Faithfully and conscientiously discharge his duties without fear or favour, action or ill will. 4. Every member must be a member of either of the houses or must become one within 6 months.

Appointment of Prime Minister

He is appointed by the President. The president invites the leader of the majority party to form the government. The members of the majority party or group then elect their leader to be appointed as the Prime Minister. The President then appoints him as the Prime Minister. The President cannot act arbitrarily in the appointment.

Formation of the Cabinet

The Cabinet is composed of a small but important body of senior leaders of the party. They hold important portfolios and decide major policies of the government. They form the nucleus of the administration. The Cabinet takes important decisions and the other ministers have to follow these decisions.

Emergency powers of Cabinet

The President cannot declare a proclamation of general emergency under article 352 of the constitution without receiving in writing the decision of the Cabinet. The questions of proclamation of financial emergency and of President's rule in a State are also decided by the Cabinet.

Appointment of the Cabinet

The Prime Minister selects his 'senior' and 'trustworthy' colleagues and advises the President to appoint them as Cabinet Ministers. The President then appoints them as Ministers.

Cabinet Ministers

They are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They hold important portfolios like Home, Defense,Finance, Railways etc. Only Cabinet Ministers have a right to attend meetings of the Cabinet. They together determine the policy and programme of the government.

Ministers of State

They are the second category of Ministers. They may or may not hold independent charge of portfolios. The Prime Minister may or may not consult them. They do not participate in Cabinet meetings. They may be invited to attend Cabinet meetings when matters concerning their departments are being discussed.

Deputy Ministers

They are the third category of ministers who assist the cabinet and the council of ministers. They are junior ministers and are placed under senior ministers. They take no part in Cabinet deliberations.