Polity · Central Government
The Prime Minister is the real executive authority in India's parliamentary system. This chapter covers appointment, oath, term, powers, constitutional relationship with the President, and the PM's role in the cabinet, Parliament, and national governance.
India's parliamentary system creates a dual executive: the President is the de jure (nominal) executive and head of state, while the Prime Minister is the de facto (real) executive and head of government. Real power thus vests in the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, not in the President.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar captured this precisely: "If any functionary under our Constitution is to be compared with the US President, he is the Prime Minister and not the President of the Union."
Article 75 states simply that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President. However, this discretion is heavily constrained by parliamentary conventions.
When a single party wins a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President must appoint its parliamentary leader as Prime Minister. There is no real discretion here — convention governs.
When no party or pre-poll alliance commands a majority, the President exercises personal discretion. In practice, the President invites the leader of the largest party or coalition and asks them to seek a vote of confidence within one month.
If a sitting Prime Minister dies suddenly with no obvious successor:
The Delhi High Court (1980) ruled that the Constitution does not require a person to prove majority before being appointed PM. The President may appoint and then direct him to prove majority within a reasonable period.
Prime Ministers appointed this way include: Charan Singh (1979), V.P. Singh (1989), Chandrasekhar (1990), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991), A.B. Vajpayee (1996), Deve Gowda (1996), I.K. Gujral (1997), A.B. Vajpayee (1998).
The Supreme Court (1997) held that a non-member of Parliament may be appointed PM for up to six months, within which period they must become a member of either House; otherwise they cease to hold office.
Constitutionally, the PM may be a member of either House — unlike in Britain where the PM must be from the House of Commons.
Notable Rajya Sabha PMs: Indira Gandhi (1966), H.D. Deve Gowda (1996), Manmohan Singh (2004).
The President administers the oath of office to the Prime Minister. The PM swears:
The PM also takes an oath of secrecy, promising not to directly or indirectly disclose any matter that comes to his knowledge as a Union Minister, except as required in the discharge of official duties.
The PM's term is not fixed. He holds office during the pleasure of the President — but this is nominal. In practice:
Determined by Parliament. The PM receives the salary of an MP plus a sumptuary allowance, free accommodation, travel allowance, and medical facilities. Parliament revised the sumptuary allowance from ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per month in 2001.
The PM is the head of the Union Council of Ministers and wields enormous authority over its composition and functioning:
Key Distinction: The resignation or death of the PM automatically dissolves the entire Council of Ministers. But the resignation or death of any other minister creates only a vacancy — which the PM may or may not choose to fill.
Under Article 78, the PM is the principal channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers. His duties include:
The PM also advises the President on the appointment of key constitutional and statutory functionaries, including:
The PM is the Leader of the Lok Sabha (Lower House). In this role:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
| 75 | Appointment, term, and collective responsibility of Ministers |
| 77 | Conduct of business of the Government of India |
| 78 | PM's duties to furnish information to the President |
Article 74: The Council of Ministers, headed by the PM, aids and advises the President. The President may ask the Council to reconsider advice but must act on the reconsidered advice.
Article 75: (a) PM appointed by President; other ministers appointed on PM's advice. (b) Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. (c) Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
Article 78: Lays down the specific duties of the PM in keeping the President informed.
| Scholar | Description |
|---|---|
| Lord Morley | Primus inter pares (first among equals); keystone of the cabinet arch |
| Herbert Morrison | Primus inter pares — but even this is too modest today |
| Sir William Harcourt | Inter stellas luna minores (a moon among lesser stars) |
| Jennings | A sun around which planets revolve; keystone of the constitution |
| H.J. Laski | Central to the cabinet's formation, life, and death; pivot of governmental machinery |
| H.R.G. Greaves | Master of the Government, which is itself master of the country |
| Munro | Captain of the ship of state |
| Ramsay Muir | Steersman of the ship of state |
Observers like R.H. Crossman argue that post-war governance has transformed from cabinet government into Prime Ministerial government, reflecting the growing dominance of the PM over the collective cabinet.
Six Prime Ministers had previously served as Chief Ministers:
| Prime Minister | Former State | Year as PM |
|---|---|---|
| Morarji Desai | Bombay State (1952–56) | 1977 (first non-Congress PM) |
| Charan Singh | Uttar Pradesh (1967–68, 1970) | 1979 |
| V.P. Singh | Uttar Pradesh | 1989–1990 |
| P.V. Narasimha Rao | Andhra Pradesh (1971–73) | 1991–1996 (first PM from South India) |
| H.D. Deve Gowda | Karnataka | 1996 |
| Narendra Modi | Gujarat (2001–2014, four terms) | 2014 |
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This chapter covers Constitutional Position, Appointment of the Prime Minister, Oath, Term, and Salary, Powers and Functions, Constitutional Articles at a Glance. It is organized as revision-ready notes followed by a linked practice quiz.
For First Among Equals: The Prime Minister's Powers, Constitutional Position, and Political Precedents, focus on definitions, dates, places, institutions, distinguishing features, and factual comparisons in the chapter. Then use the quiz to check recall and identify gaps.
Use the First Among Equals: The Prime Minister's Powers, Constitutional Position, and Political Precedents chapter headings to organize an answer framework. Connect causes, consequences, comparisons, examples, and evidence wherever the notes provide them instead of memorizing isolated facts.