Topic 4.3 · Indian Polity · Union Executive

Prime Minister & Council of Ministers

Prime Minister & Council of Ministers is studied as part of "Union Executive" (Union & State Government) in Indian Polity. The Union Executive comprises the President, Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The President is the constitutional head and the PM the real executive.

In the examination context, prime minister & council of ministers carries conceptual questions that test both factual recall and analytical understanding. Revise this topic in sequence with the rest of the chapter so that chronological and thematic links are clear.

Important Facts

Vice-President: Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Money Bill: Cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha
President: Elected by an electoral college — Article 54
Impeachment: Article 61 — on grounds of violation of the Constitution

Key Points

President — Elected by an electoral college — Article 54
Impeachment — Article 61 — on grounds of violation of the Constitution
Vice-President — Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Money Bill — Cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha

Important Names

B.R. AmbedkarRajendra PrasadS. Radhakrishnan

Important Dates

1952	First Presidential election — Rajendra Prasad
1952	First Vice-President — S. Radhakrishnan

Exam-Oriented Notes

»The President can pardon under Article 72; the PM advises the President. Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.