Prime Minister and Council of Minsters Flashcards

1
Q

The constitution of India proivdes for

A

Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advicse the president

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2
Q

Why is PM and Council of Ministers most powerful institution in Indian polity?

A

The president may require the COM to reconsider their advice but he shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.

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3
Q

Type of Government:

A

Parliamentary form of government

President as Nominal head.

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4
Q

Appointment of PM:

A

PM is appointed by the Pres.

President invites the leader of the majority party or group in the LS to form the gov.

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5
Q

When no single party secures absolute majority:

A

The pres. may have some option in the appointment of the PM.

That person who can prove that he has the support of some smaller group or parties to have majority in house

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6
Q

Article 75:

A

“The PM shall be appointed by the Pres and the other min shal be appointed by the Pres on the advice of the PM”

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7
Q

Can Non-Member of parliament be ministers:

A

He must be elected or Nominated -> Within 6 months from date of appointment.

Resign from post - > Failing this

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8
Q

3 Kinds of Ministers:

A
  1. Cabinet Ministers
  2. Ministers of State
  3. Deputy Ministers:
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9
Q
  1. Cabinet Ministers:
A

Most important members of COM.
Important Portfolios: Defence, Finance, EXternal affairs and Railways.

Right to attend meetings of Cabinet.
Determine policy and programme of gov.

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10
Q
  1. Ministers of States:
A

2nd category of Ministers. May or may not hold an independent charge of any portfolio.

The OM may or may not consult them
DONT participate in the cabinet meetins
Department discussion

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11
Q
  1. Deputy Ministers:
A

Assists cabinet ministers and council of ministers.
Junior ministers under senior ministers.
No part in cabinet discussions

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12
Q

Council of Ministers:

A

Comprise the PM and a number of other mnisters apoointeed by the president on the advice of the PM.

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13
Q

Size of Council of Ministers:

A

15% of strenght of LS and SL.

Max number of ministers allowes in 12 for small states

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14
Q

Why should size of council of ministers be controlled:

A
  1. Defections check

2. Curb gov expenditure on account og jumbo size ministries.

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15
Q

What is a cabinet:

A

Composed of small but important body of senior leaders of the party who are included in the council of ministers.
Important portfolios and decide major pp of gov.

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16
Q

Cabinet and other ministers:

A

Takes important decisions. Communicated to other ministers and they have to follow -?> even tho they might not have been a party to such decisions

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17
Q

Appointment of Cabinet:

A

PM selects his senior and trustworhy colleagues and advises the pres to appoint them as cabinet ministers.

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18
Q

Term of Office:

A

Holds office during the pleaure of president

Remain in office so long as they enjoy the majority support in LS.

If LS Passes a vote of NoConfidence -> Resign collectively

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19
Q

Oath for a minister is administered by:

A

President

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20
Q

2 Oaths:

A

Oath of Office and Secrecy

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21
Q

Salaries and allowance of Minister:

A

Such as parliament from to time by law determines

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22
Q

Distinction between council of Ministers and teh cabinet:

A
  1. Composition
  2. Consulting
  3. Meetings
  4. President
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23
Q
  1. Composition:

Council of Minister

A

Consists of all categories of Ministers:

  1. Cabinet Ministers
  2. Minister of State
  3. Deputy Ministers
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24
Q
  1. Composition:

Cabinet

A

Small group of consisting of senior ministers holding important portfolios such as defence, finance, home etc.

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25
Q
  1. Consulting:

COM:

A

May or may not consult the other mnisters below the rank of cabinet ministers

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26
Q
  1. Cosulting:

Cabinet

A

MOost trusted colleagues of PM. The PM always consults them. The decision of Cabinet are binding on all the ministers

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27
Q
  1. Meetings

COM

A

In the day-to-day working of the gov, the COM as a whole rarely meets.

28
Q
  1. Meetings:

Cabinet

A

Small cohesive group of senior ministers who determine the pp of the gov.
meet freq as possible

29
Q
  1. President:

COM

A

According to cont. pres acts on the adivce of com.

It is not com but cabinet that advices the pres

30
Q
  1. President:

Cabinet

A

In the day-to-day governance of the country, cabinet advises the president through PM

31
Q

Position and Powers of the PM:

A
  1. PRESIDENT
  2. Cabinet
  3. Parliament
  4. Nation
32
Q

PM and President:

A
  1. All authority of Pres, Exercised by PM
  2. Summons, Prorogues and Dissolves
  3. Choosing and Dismissing COM
  4. Appointments
  5. Link
  6. Reconsider individual minister;s decision
33
Q
  1. All authority of Pres, Exercised by PM
A

Principal advisor of President.
Nominal head is pres.
Real executive of Indian union -> PM

34
Q
  1. Summons, Prorogues and Dissolves
A

On the advice of the PM

35
Q
  1. Choosing and Dismissing COM
A

On the advice of the PM

36
Q
  1. Appointments:
A

Advices president on various appoinments such as:

  1. Judges of Supreme Court
  2. Governors
  3. Ambassadors
37
Q
  1. Link between president and COM:
A

Constitution: It shall be the duty of the PM to communicate to the Pres all decisions of the COM relating to

the administration of the Union.
The proposal for legislation.

A minister cant discuss any matter of national policy with the Pres on his own

38
Q

Is PM bound to furnish president with Info?

A

Yes. Regarding the affairs of the union.

39
Q

PM and Cabinet:

A
  1. Leader of Cabinet
  2. Portfolios and to reshuffle the com
  3. Power to select and dismiss ministers
  4. Power to Direct and Co-ordinate policy
  5. Resignation of PM
40
Q
  1. Leader of Cabinet:
A

Head of Cabinet

Liberty to decide on these ministers

41
Q
  1. Portfolios and to reshuffle the com
A

PM allocates department to ministers.

Reshiffle whenever he pleases

42
Q
  1. Select and Dismiss Ministers:
A

Can ask an erring minsiter to resign

43
Q
  1. Power to direct and co-ordinate policy:
A

The PM co-ordinates the working of various departments so that admnistration is carries on smoothly.

In ciritical matters -> Co-Ordinates the policy of the gov

44
Q
  1. Resignation of PM:
A

PM’s regnation implies the resignation of the whole cabinet.

45
Q

PM inside the parliament:

A
  1. Leader of Lok SABHA
  2. Spokesperson of the government
  3. Defender of Gov Policies
  4. Intervention in case of Controversial issues
46
Q
  1. Spokesperson of the Government:
A

The PM is shief spokesman of the government in the parliament. All important announcements on national policies on the floor of the house.

47
Q
  1. Defender of Gov Policies:
A

PM defends the goc in parliament.

When a policy or minister comes under attack in the parliament, The PM comes to defend the issue involved.

48
Q
  1. Intervention in case of controversial issues:
A

Ugly situation -> some controversial issues -> Ends with intervention of PM

49
Q

PM as a leader of Nation:

A
  1. Represent
  2. Support of opposition
  3. Foreign Relations
  4. Protect the interest international forums
  5. GE, Proposed PM Vote
  6. Ex-Officio chairman
50
Q
  1. Represents the nation:
A

When he speaks, the whole nation is supposed to be speaking through him

51
Q
  1. Support of opposition:
A

During a natural cirsis like war

52
Q
  1. Foreign relations:
A

PM decides what kind of relations india would have with other countries

53
Q
  1. Protect the interest of India in international forums
A

Matters of Mutual interests with other leaders keeping the interest of india in mind

54
Q
  1. GE
A

At the time of GE, it is the proposed pm for whom or against the people vote

55
Q
  1. Ex-Officio Chairperson:
A
  1. Niti Aayog

2. Atomic Energy commision

56
Q

Checks on the authority of the PM:

A
  1. Ensure the support of his ministers as well as the party
  2. Coalition -> Positon becomes vulnerable
  3. Opposition party -> Look for a chance to criticize the PM
  4. Press and Public opinion act as effective checks on PM’s Authority
57
Q

Article number for Collective responsibility:

A

Article 75(3)

58
Q

Article 75(3)

A

“The council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People”

59
Q

Principle of Collective responsibility:

A
  1. Decision taken in the meetings of the cabinet are equally applicable to all the ministers even though they may differ among themselves on a pp.
  2. Resposibility for the gov’s pp
    Supporting and defending government’s policy inside as well as outside the parliament
  3. Vote of No-Confidence against one minister is a vote against the whole minister. -> Such a ministry has to resign
60
Q

Individual responsibility:

A

Individually responsible to the president. They hold office during the pleasure of the president.

May be dismissed by him on the advice of the PM. Even when they have the confidence of the legilature.

61
Q

Individual responsibility to Parliament:

A

For the department under his control. It is obligatory for him to answer all the questions asked by the PMs regarding the fnction of his depart.

62
Q

Individual responsibility matters:

A
  1. Personal Lapse
  2. Dparture from official policy by him or by his department
  3. Breach of oath of secrecy
63
Q

Principle of Collective responsibility:

A
  1. Decision taken in the meetings
  2. Resposibility for the gov’s pp
    Supporting and defending government
  3. Vote of No-Confidence
64
Q
  1. Decisions taken in the meetings:
A
  1. Decision taken in the meetings of the cabinet are equally applicable to all the ministers even though they may differ among themselves on a pp.
65
Q
  1. Responsibility for gov P and P
A
  1. Resposibility for the gov’s pp

Function as a team in Supporting and defending government’s policy inside as well as outside the parliament

66
Q
  1. Vote of No-Confidence
A
  1. Vote of No-Confidence against one minister is a vote against the whole minister. -> Such a ministry has to resign