Narendra Modi Sworn in for Third Consecutive Term as Prime Minister
Context:
Recently, Shri. Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term.
- The ceremony, held at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, also saw the induction of 71 other members into his Council of Ministers.
- The newly formed Ministry includes 30 Cabinet Ministers, five Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 Ministers of State.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Polity)
About the Prime Minister:
- The Prime Minister of India is the head of government of the Republic of India.
- Executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister and his chosen Council of Ministers, even though the President of India is the nominal head of the executive.
- The Prime Minister must be a member of one of the houses of the bicameral Parliament of India and head the respective house.
- The Prime Minister and their cabinet are always responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
- The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of India but must have the confidence of the majority of Lok Sabha members, who are directly elected every five years; otherwise, the Prime Minister must resign.
- The Prime Minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament.
- The Prime Minister controls the selection and dismissal of members of the Union Council of Ministers and allocates posts to members within the government.
Eligibility Criteria for the Prime Minister
- Be a citizen of India.
- Be a member of either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha.
- Be at least 30 years old if a member of the Rajya Sabha, or 25 years old if a member of the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister’s relation with Respect to the Council of Ministers
Appointment and Recommendations
- The Prime Minister recommends individuals for ministerial positions, and the President appoints only those recommended by the Prime Minister.
Portfolio Allocation and Reshuffling
- The Prime Minister allocates and reshuffles portfolios among the ministers, ensuring efficient management of governmental functions.
Authority and Decision-Making
- The Prime Minister presides over Council of Ministers meetings, guiding and influencing its decisions. In case of disagreements, the Prime Minister can request a minister’s resignation or advise the President to dismiss them.
Leadership and Coordination
- The Prime Minister directs, controls, and coordinates the activities of all ministers. The resignation or death of the Prime Minister can lead to the collapse of the entire Council of Ministers.
Relationship between the Prime Minister and the President
- Article 74: Defines the connection between the Prime Minister, the President, and the Council of Ministers. The Council, led by the Prime Minister, advises the President on various issues.
- Article 75: Details the appointment process of the Prime Minister and other ministers by the President on the Prime Minister’s advice, the tenure of ministers, and the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha.
- Article 78: Mandates that the Prime Minister communicates all decisions made by the Council of Ministers to the President. The President can also refer matters for the Council’s consideration.
Other Relations and Important Aspects
Role of the Prime Minister with Respect to the Parliament
- Leader of the Lok Sabha: The Prime Minister serves as the leader of the Lower House (Lok Sabha).
- Advisory Role: He advises the President on summoning and proroguing parliamentary sessions.
- Dissolution of Lok Sabha: The Prime Minister can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time.
- Policy Announcements: He announces government policies on the floor of the House.
Role of the Prime Minister with Respect to the Cabinet
- Cabinet Formation: The Prime Minister constitutes the cabinet and allocates portfolios to its members.
- Cabinet Meetings: He summons and decides the agenda for cabinet meetings.
- Consultation and Discretion: The Prime Minister can consult any person on matters he deems fit and has the discretion to act without consultation when necessary.
Role of the Prime Minister with Respect to External Affairs
- Personal Direction: The Prime Minister personally directs the external affairs domain.
- International Respect: Respect from international communities can enhance his domestic standing.
- Foreign Policy: He plays a significant role in shaping the country’s foreign policy.
Role of the Prime Minister with Respect to Planning
- Crisis Management: The Prime Minister acts as the crisis manager-in-chief at the political level during emergencies.
- Chairperson of NDMA: He serves as the Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority.
Role of the Prime Minister with Respect to Cabinet Committees
- Committee Setup: The Prime Minister sets up Cabinet Committees and heads them when he is a member.
- Leadership: He heads all committees except the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.
- Political Affairs: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, headed by the Prime Minister, addresses Centre-State relations, broader economic and political issues, and non-security-related foreign affairs.
