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Prime Minister and Council of Ministers ISC Class 12

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Political ScienceISC Class 12 · The Executive

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (ISC Class 12 Political Science)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The President appoints the leader who commands a majority in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister, and appoints the other ministers on the Prime Minister's advice. The Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Cabinet, chairs the Cabinet, leads Parliament and acts as leader of the nation. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Notice the chain President, Prime Minister, Council, and the red arrow showing the Council answers collectively to the Lok Sabha.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Why this topic matters. The syllabus asks for the "powers of the Indian Prime Minister: link between Cabinet and President, formation of Council of Ministers, Chairman of the Cabinet, Leader of Parliament and Leader of the Nation". Each is a heading for a 4-mark answer.

1. Appointment and formation (Articles 74 and 75).

  • The President appoints the Prime Minister (Article 75(1)). By convention the person is the leader of the party or alliance with a majority in the Lok Sabha. When no party has a majority, the President invites the person most likely to command a majority.
  • Other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects, allocates portfolios and can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss one. The Prime Minister may reshuffle the ministry.
  • A minister who is not a member of either House must become a member within six months (Article 75(5)).
  • The total number of ministers in the Council cannot exceed 15 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha (Article 75(1A), added by the 91st Amendment, 2003).
  • Tiers: Cabinet Ministers (heads of important ministries, forming the Cabinet), Ministers of State (some independent charge, others assisting a Cabinet Minister) and, in some governments, Deputy Ministers.
  • Tenure: The ministers hold office during the President's pleasure in form, and in practice as long as the Council has the confidence of the Lok Sabha. When the Prime Minister resigns or dies, the whole Council ceases.
  • Responsibility: collective to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)): all stand or fall together, and a ministry that loses a no-confidence vote must resign; individual to the President, under whose pleasure each holds office.

2. Roles of the Prime Minister.

1. Link between the President and the Cabinet (Article 78). The Prime Minister has a duty to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration and proposals for legislation, to furnish information the President asks for, and to submit for the Council's consideration any matter on which a minister has decided but the Council has not considered if the President requires. In this way, the Prime Minister is the only channel between the Cabinet and the head of state.
2. Chairman of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister presides over Cabinet meetings, sets the agenda, coordinates departments, settles disputes between ministers and has the deciding voice in decisions. Because of this, the Prime Minister has been described as "first among equals" (a phrase attributed to political writers on the British Cabinet); the actual weight depends on the strength of the Prime Minister's party and personality.
3. Leader of Parliament. The Prime Minister (if a member of the Lok Sabha) is the leader of the House, announces government policy, replies to major debates, helps determine the legislative programme, can advise the President to summon and prorogue Parliament and to dissolve the Lok Sabha, and guides the government in a no-confidence debate.
4. Leader of the nation. The Prime Minister speaks for the country at home and abroad, represents India at international meetings, is the spokesperson of the nation in crises, and is the national leader through elections and communication with the public.
5. Other roles: chief adviser to the President, head of the party that governs, and minister in charge of important departments chosen by the Prime Minister.

3. Why the Prime Minister is powerful (and the limits).

  • Power comes from leading the majority party, controlling appointments to the ministry and advising the President.
  • Limits: dependence on the Lok Sabha majority, coalition partners, the Opposition, the judiciary, the press, the Election Commission and the need to stay within the Constitution.

4. Council of Ministers versus Cabinet.

BasisCouncil of MinistersCabinet
SizeLarger (all ministers)Smaller (senior Cabinet Ministers)
MeetingsRarely meets as a wholeMeets often; the real decision-making body
MembersCabinet, Ministers of State, Deputy MinistersOnly Cabinet Ministers
RoleFormally responsible for all executive actionFrames policy and takes decisions

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers: key facts

Appointment
  • President appoints Prime Minister
  • Majority leader in the Lok Sabha
  • Other ministers on the Prime Minister's advice
  • Member of Parliament within six months
Articles 74 and 75.
Roles of the Prime Minister
  • Link between President and Cabinet
  • Chairman of the Cabinet
  • Leader of Parliament
  • Leader of the nation
Syllabus order; four headings.
Responsibility
  • Collective to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3))
  • Individual to the President
  • Resignation of the Prime Minister dissolves the Council
Use in "collective responsibility" questions.
Size of Council
At most 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha strength | 91st Amendment, 2003
Compute with 543 seats: at most 81.

How to answer The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers questions

Expect "Explain the powers of the Prime Minister under the headings in the syllabus" (6 marks) or a 4-mark question on a single role.

  1. 1Write the four syllabus headings in order and give three to four lines to each.
  2. 2For "link", quote Article 78.
  3. 3For "formation", state the appointment rule, the six-month rule and the 15 per cent limit.
  4. 4Mention collective responsibility under Article 75(3).
  5. 5Add a line that the real weight of the Prime Minister depends on the majority and coalition conditions.

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Captain, selector and spokesperson

Suppose a team's captain picks the playing eleven, chairs the team meetings, reports the team's decisions to the school sports head and speaks for the team at the prize ceremony.

Match these to the roles of a Prime Minister.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Picking the eleven resembles the formation of the Council of Ministers.
  2. Chairing team meetings resembles chairing the Cabinet.
  3. Reporting to the sports head resembles being the link with the President.
  4. Speaking at the ceremony resembles being leader of the nation.

Answer: Formation, Chairman of the Cabinet, link with the President, and leader of the nation, respectively.

Memory hook: Pick, preside, pass on, present.

Sink or swim together

Imagine a group project where the marks given to the group depend on the combined work, so one member's failure to deliver affects every member.

Which principle of the Council of Ministers does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The shared outcome resembles collective responsibility.
  2. If the Lok Sabha withdraws confidence, all ministers go together.

Answer: Collective responsibility under Article 75(3).

Memory hook: One falls, all fall.

Tricks to remember The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • PM roles: L-C-L-L

    Link, Chairman, Leader of Parliament, Leader of the nation.

    Use it when: Syllabus headings.

  • 91st Amendment: 15 per cent

    Council size at most 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha.

    Use it when: Number recall.

  • Article 78

    Seventy-eight: the PM passes the Cabinet's decisions to the head of state.

    Use it when: Link role.

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Collective responsibility · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The Council of Ministers in India is collectively responsible to:
(a) the President
(b) the Rajya Sabha
(c) the Lok Sabha
(d) the Supreme Court

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Article 75(3) says the Council is collectively responsible to the House of the People (1 mark).

Answer: (c) the Lok Sabha

Example 2: Formation · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

How are the Prime Minister and the other ministers appointed? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The President appoints the leader who has a Lok Sabha majority as Prime Minister (1 mark).
  2. Other ministers appointed by the President on the Prime Minister's advice (1 mark).

Answer: The President appoints as Prime Minister the leader of the party or alliance commanding a majority in the Lok Sabha. The other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Example 3: Assertion and reason · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Council of Ministers.
Reason (R): Article 78 requires the Prime Minister to communicate to the President the decisions of the Council relating to administration and legislation.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both true; R provides the constitutional basis (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: Roles · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain the role of the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Cabinet and Leader of Parliament. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Chairs and sets the agenda (1 mark).
  2. Coordinates and resolves disputes (1 mark).
  3. Leader of the House, announces policy and replies to debate (1 mark).
  4. Advises on summoning and proroguing Parliament and dissolving the Lok Sabha (1 mark).

Answer: As Chairman of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister presides at its meetings, fixes the agenda, coordinates the work of the ministries and settles differences among ministers, and the Prime Minister's view carries decisive weight. As Leader of Parliament the Prime Minister leads the House of which he or she is a member, announces major government policies, replies to important debates, helps to arrange the legislative programme and advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament and dissolving the Lok Sabha.

Example 5: Analysis · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

"The Prime Minister is the keystone of the arch of government." Discuss with reference to the Prime Minister's four roles and the limits on the office. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Link role (1.5 marks).
  2. Chairman (1.5 marks).
  3. Leader of Parliament and nation (1.5 marks).
  4. Limits (1.5 marks).

Answer: The Prime Minister connects every part of the government. As the link under Article 78, the Prime Minister informs the President of Cabinet decisions, so the head of state works through one channel. As Chairman of the Cabinet the Prime Minister selects the ministers, assigns portfolios, sets the agenda and settles disputes. As Leader of Parliament, the Prime Minister commands the majority, guides the legislative programme and defends the government in debate. As Leader of the nation, the Prime Minister represents India abroad and speaks for the country in crises.

However, the power is limited. The Prime Minister holds office only while enjoying a Lok Sabha majority, may depend on coalition partners, answers to Parliament through questions and no-confidence motions, and is subject to judicial review and a free press. The weight of the office therefore varies with the strength of the party and the political conditions.

Where students lose marks in The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Writing powers without the four headings

    Giving a general essay.

    Wrong working

    The PM is the head of the government and has many powers.

    Right working

    Link, Chairman, Leader of Parliament, Leader of the nation, each explained.

    Do this: Use the syllabus headings.

    Usually costs: 2 to 3 marks.

  • Mistake: Saying the Council is responsible to the President

    Mixing collective and individual responsibility.

    Wrong working

    The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the President.

    Right working

    Collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha; individually, each minister holds office at the pleasure of the President.

    Do this: Collective = Lok Sabha.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Forgetting Article 78

    No constitutional basis for "link".

    Wrong working

    The PM meets the President often.

    Right working

    Article 78 makes it a duty to communicate Cabinet decisions.

    Do this: Quote the Article.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Use the syllabus order of the roles as headings.
  • Quote Articles 74, 75 and 78.
  • Give the 91st Amendment limit with the calculation.
  • Do not credit the Rajya Sabha with any control over the Council.

Practice questions on The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which Amendment limited the size of the Council of Ministers to 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha?
    (a) 42nd
    (b) 44th
    (c) 73rd
    (d) 91st

    Hint

    2003.

    Answer

    (d) 91st Amendment.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

    Explain the difference between collective and individual responsibility of ministers. (2 marks)

    Hint

    Who is each to?

    Answer

    Collective responsibility means the Council of Ministers as a whole is answerable to the Lok Sabha, and all ministers resign if it loses confidence. Individual responsibility means each minister holds office during the pleasure of the President (in practice the Prime Minister) and may be asked to go for failures in his or her own department.

  3. Q3 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): A person who is not an MP can be a minister in India.
    Reason (R): The person must become a member of either House within six months.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Article 75(5).

    Answer

    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain how the Council of Ministers is formed and state two distinctions between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Formation, then differences.

    Answer

    The President appoints the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister, and other ministers on the Prime Minister's advice; they must be members of Parliament or become so within six months. The Council includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and sometimes Deputy Ministers. Distinctions: (i) the Cabinet is a smaller body of senior ministers while the Council is the larger body of all ministers; (ii) the Cabinet meets often and takes the decisions, while the Council rarely meets as a whole.

  5. Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Suppose the Lok Sabha has 543 members. Calculate the maximum size of the Council of Ministers, and then explain why this limit was introduced and how it connects with the principle of collective responsibility. (6 marks)

    Hint

    15 per cent of 543.

    Answer

    15 per cent of 543 is 81.45, and since the limit is a maximum, the Council can have at most 81 members. The limit was introduced by the 91st Amendment (2003); it is generally explained as a check on very large ministries, which raise public expenditure and weaken the cohesion of a government. It supports collective responsibility, since a smaller Council is easier to hold together and to hold to account: the Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3), meaning all ministers share responsibility for decisions and all must resign if the House passes a motion of no confidence. A very large Council would make collective responsibility harder to enforce.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who appoints the Prime Minister?Show answer

    The President.

  2. 2.Which Article makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible?Show answer

    Article 75(3).

  3. 3.Which Article makes the PM the link with the President?Show answer

    Article 78.

  4. 4.How long can a non-member remain a minister?Show answer

    Six months.

  5. 5.What is the maximum size of the Council?Show answer

    15 per cent of the Lok Sabha strength.

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers: frequently asked questions

Who is the real executive of India?

The Prime Minister with the Council of Ministers.

What happens to the Council if the Prime Minister resigns?

The whole Council ceases to exist.

Is the Prime Minister always an MP?

The Prime Minister must be a member of one House or become one within six months.

What is the Cabinet?

The smaller inner group of senior ministers that takes the major decisions of the government.