{"id":134301,"date":"2024-09-26T18:36:09","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T13:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=134301"},"modified":"2024-12-23T16:04:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T10:34:01","password":"","slug":"council-of-ministers-india","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs\/council-of-ministers-india","title":{"rendered":"The Council of Ministers in India: Constitutional Role, Powers and Functions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/council-of-ministers\/\"><b>Council of Ministers (CoM) in India<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plays a vital role in the country&#8217;s parliamentary system, led by the <\/span><b>Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Defined broadly in<\/span><b> Articles 74 and 75 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the Constitution, it assists the<\/span><b> President and ensures effective governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This body comprises various <\/span><b>ministerial ranks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, each with specific responsibilities and powers. Understanding its structure and function is essential for grasping India&#8217;s democratic framework.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>The Council of Ministers in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Constitutional Provisions Regarding CoM<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Overview of the Parliamentary System: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/indian-constitution-exploration\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Constitution<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> follows a Parliamentary System of government<\/span><b> similar to the British model<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the actual <\/span><b>executive authority lies with the Council of Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CoM) led by the Prime Minister.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Constitutional Provisions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The context of the <\/span><b>Parliamentary Form of Government is not elaborated well in the constitution.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the Constitution broadly outlines the principles of this system in <\/span><b>Articles 74 and 75<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, detailing the council&#8217;s status and ministerial aspects like a<\/span><b>ppointment, tenure, responsibilities, qualifications, oaths, and remuneration.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span class=\"vc_button\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/i><\/a><i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Article 74<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Establishment: Article 74<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution specifies the <\/span><b>establishment of a Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to assist and provide advice to the<\/span><b> President<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who must generally follow this advice in performing their duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Role of the President: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The President can ask the Council to reconsider, and subsequent action aligns with the reexamined advice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Judicial Limitations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, <\/span><b>courts are not authorized to inquire<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about the advice given by Ministers to the President.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Article 75<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Appointment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>President appoints the Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other ministers are appointed by the President based on the Prime Minister&#8217;s advice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limit on Number of Ministers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers should not exceed <\/span><b>15% of the total <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/leader-of-opposition-in-lok-sabha\/\"><b>Lok Sabha<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> strength,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eligibility and Disqualification: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The members disqualified for defection are ineligible to be appointed as ministers (as per <\/span><b>the 91st Amendment Act<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 2003).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tenure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ministers serve at the <\/span><b>pleasure of the President<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Responsibility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Council of Ministers is <\/span><b>collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Oaths of Office and Secrecy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The<\/span><b> President<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> administers <\/span><b>oaths of office and secrecy to ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Membership Requirement: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A\u00a0 minister who is not a member of the Parliament ceases to be a minister if he is not a member of any of the two Houses for six consecutive months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Salaries and Allowances: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parliament determines the salaries and allowances of ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-134306 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/unnamed-2024-09-26T184125.751.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"541\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/unnamed-2024-09-26T184125.751.webp 541w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/unnamed-2024-09-26T184125.751-300x247.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>\u00a0Article 77 (Conduct of Business of the Government of India)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Executive Actions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All government executive actions must be explicitly taken in the<\/span><b> name of the President.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Authentication of Orders: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orders and instruments executed in the President&#8217;s name must follow specified authentication rules, and their<\/span><b> validity cannot be contested on the grounds of not being made by the President.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rules for Government Business:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>President is responsible for creating rules for the transaction of government<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> business and allocate responsibilities among Ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Article 88 (Rights of Ministers)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 88<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> grants ministers the privilege to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House, joint sittings or parliamentary committees they are part of.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, they are <\/span><b>not eligible to cast votes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Nature of Advice by Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Establishment of the Council of Ministers: Article 74<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> establishes a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister to assist the President in their functions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Binding Nature of Council&#8217;s Advice: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>42nd and 44th Constitutional Amendment Acts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> made the advice of the Council <\/span><b>binding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the President.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Confidentiality of Ministerial Advice:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Courts <\/span><b>cannot inquire into the nature of advice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> given by ministers to the President, emphasizing the confidential relationship.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Continuity of the Council of Ministers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled that even after <\/span><b>Lok Sabha&#8217;s dissolution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Council of Ministers continues to hold office, because constitution does not provide for the President to act without the aid\u00a0 and advice of the Council of Ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>President&#8217;s Satisfaction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Supreme<\/b> <b>Court in 1974, clarified<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the President&#8217;s satisfaction, as required by the Constitution, is the<\/span><b> satisfaction of the Council of Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whose aid and advice the President relies on for exercising his powers and functions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Appointment of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Appointment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The President appoints the Prime Minister, and other ministers are appointed by the President based on the Prime Minister&#8217;s recommendation.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eligibility of Ministers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministers are typically members of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, but <\/span><b>non-members can also be appointed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, provided they become a member within six months of the appointment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Loss of Ministerial Position: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a minister, not initially a parliamentary member, fails to join either House within<\/span><b> six months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they lose their ministerial position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rights of Ministers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A minister who is a member of one House has the <\/span><b>right to participate in the proceedings of the other House<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but can only vote in their respective House.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Oath of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before assuming office, a minister takes oaths administered by the <\/span><b>President<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In the oath of office, the minister pledges:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To bear true faith and Allegiance to the Constitution of India<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To uphold\u00a0 India&#8217;s sovereignty and integrity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faithful and conscientious discharge of official duties<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impartial treatment of all in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In the oath of secrecy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the minister vows not to disclose any information brought to their attention as a Union minister unless necessary for fulfilling their duties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Note:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was an instance in 1990 when the validity of <\/span><b>Devi Lal&#8217;s oath as Deputy Prime Minister was questioned<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, arguing that the Constitution only accounts for the Prime Minister and ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Supreme Court held the oath valid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, clarifying that the title &#8220;Deputy Prime Minister&#8221; is merely descriptive and doesn&#8217;t grant additional Prime Ministerial powers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The court asserted that using titles like<\/span><b> Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State, or Deputy Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, absent in the Constitution, doesn&#8217;t invalidate the oath, as long as the essential commitments of the oath are maintained.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Salary of the Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Determination of Salaries: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Parliament of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> determines the salaries of ministers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alignment with Member of Parliament: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministers receive their salaries and allowances<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aligned with those of a Member of Parliament.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Allowance and Benefits: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, <\/span><b>ministers are entitled to a sumptuary allowance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on their position, complimentary accommodation, travel allowances, and medical benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Accountability of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Principle of Collective Responsibility<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Collective Accountability to Lok Sabha: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The parliamentary system operates on the fundamental principle of collective responsibility, as outlined in <\/span><b>Article 75.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>However, nowhere in the Constitution, the word collective responsibility is mentioned.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This principle dictates that the <\/span><b>Council of Ministers is collectively accountable to the Lok Sabha, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meaning all ministers share joint responsibility for their actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Unified Functioning: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They function as a unified team, and if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of <\/span><b>no confidence, all ministers, including those from the Rajya Sabha, must resign<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Dissolution of Lok Sabha:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Alternatively, the Council can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President, citing a lack of faithful representation of the electorate&#8217;s views, leading to fresh elections.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Binding Nature: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministers are bound by collective responsibility even if they disagree in Cabinet meetings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Resignation Due to Dissent: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each minister is obligated to support and defend Cabinet decisions both inside and outside Parliament.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any minister dissenting from a decision must resign.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>Example<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, C.D. Deshmukh, and Arif Mohammed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> resigned due to differences in specific legislative matters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Principle of Individual Responsibility<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Concept of Individual Responsibility (Article 75): Article 75<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> introduces the concept of individual responsibility, indicating that ministers serve at the President&#8217;s pleasure.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This implies that the <\/span><b>President can dismiss a minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, even when the council of ministers has the Lok Sabha&#8217;s confidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><b>the President acts on the Prime Minister&#8217;s advice while removing a minister.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Prime Minister&#8217;s Authority: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cases of disagreement or dissatisfaction, the Prime Minister can request a minister&#8217;s resignation or advise the President to dismiss them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Upholding Collective Responsibility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This authority allows the Prime Minister to uphold collective responsibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar&#8217;s Emphasis: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized the <\/span><b>necessity of creating and empowering the office of the Prime Minister <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to nominate and dismiss ministers to achieve true collective responsibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absence of Legal Responsibility<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Minister&#8217;s Countersignature in the UK: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In<\/span><b> the United Kingdom<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, every public act ordered by the King necessitates a minister&#8217;s <\/span><b>countersignature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If such an order violates any law, the minister is accountable and may face legal consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accepted notion in Britain is that <\/span><b>&#8220;The king can do no wrong,&#8221; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exempting the king from legal actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Lack of Ministerial Accountability in India: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast,<\/span><b> India lacks constitutional provisions for the legal responsibility of a minister.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is <\/span><b>no requirement for a minister&#8217;s countersignature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a President&#8217;s order for a public act.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the<\/span><b> courts are prohibited from scrutinising the advice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provided by ministers to the President.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Composition of Council of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Council of Ministers is composed of <\/span><b>three categories: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/cabinet-ministers-in-india-roles-responsibilities-and-impact\/\"><b>Cabinet Ministers<\/b><\/a><b>, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, differing in rank, emoluments, and political significance. At the pinnacle is the Prime Minister, the highest governing authority.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cabinet Ministers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lead crucial Central government ministries such as home, defence, finance, and external affairs. As cabinet members, they contribute to policy decisions, holding responsibilities across the entire spectrum of the Central government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ministers of State: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may independently oversee ministries or be affiliated with cabinet ministers. When attached, they handle specific departments or tasks under cabinet ministers&#8217; supervision.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>If independently charged<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they wield similar powers and functions as cabinet ministers within their ministries.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A minister of state can <\/span><b>attend cabinet meetings only on invitation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any case, they work under the <\/span><b>supervision and under the overall charge and responsibility of the cabinet ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deputy Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Of lower rank, lack independent charge of ministries.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They support cabinet ministers or ministers of state in administrative, political, and parliamentary duties.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not participating in cabinet meetings, they are not cabinet members but assist with the guidance of higher-ranking ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Cabinet vs Council of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often the two terms- the <\/span><b>Cabinet and the Council of Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; are used interchangeably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, in reality, both have different meanings based on their strength, <\/span><b>role and composition among other factors.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The key differences between both of them are as follows-<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Basis<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Council of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Cabinet<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Strength<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Composed of <\/span><b>60-70 members <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and hence, a bigger body<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only <\/span><b>15-20 members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are there in the Cabinet<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Composition<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 types of ministers- <\/span><b>Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are included<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is an <\/span><b>inner part of the Council of Ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It includes cabinet ministers only.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Role<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It generally holds <\/span><b>no collective meets.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It often gathers to <\/span><b>take note of important developments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and thereby, make s<\/span><b>ignificant decisions <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regarding the transaction of government business.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Power<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has a <\/span><b>range of power but only on paper.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has <\/span><b>more powers in reality<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and makes important decisions on the part of the Council of Ministers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Interrelatedness<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It puts into effect the <\/span><b>decisions taken by the Cabinet.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>oversees the decisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> implemented by the council.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Constitutional Status<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has a mention in the constitution. <\/span><b>Article 74 and Article 75 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deal with its elaborate roles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Salaries and Allowances Act of 1952 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contains a definition of the word &#8216;Minister&#8217; as the one who is a member of the council of ministers, by whatever name called and includes a deputy minister.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was <\/span><b>not originally mentioned<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Indian Constitution.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the <\/span><b>44th Constitutional Amendment of 1978<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Article 352 was amended to include it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per it, the<\/span><b> Cabinet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the council consisting of the Prime Minister and other ministers of the cabinet rank appointed under <\/span><b>Article 75.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><b>Responsibility to the Lok Sabha<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collectively responsible to <\/span><b>Lok Sabha as a body.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collectively responsible to <\/span><b>Lok Sabha as a body along with the other ministers in the Council<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Description of The Role of Council of Ministers by Various Scholars<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Analogies Highlighting the Cabinet&#8217;s Role: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The role of the Cabinet in India echoes the sentiments expressed by renowned political scientists and constitutional experts. Various analogies emphasize the <\/span><b>significance of the Cabinet in steering the course of the state<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Ramsay Muir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> likened it to the &#8220;steering wheel of the ship of the state,&#8221; while <\/span><b>Lowell<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> portrayed it as the &#8220;<\/span><b>keystone of the political arch<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Sir John Marriott<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> saw the Cabinet as the &#8220;pivot around which the entire political machinery revolves,&#8221; and <\/span><b>Gladstone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> described it as the &#8220;solar orb around which other bodies revolve.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>According to Barker<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Cabinet acts as the &#8220;magnet of policy,&#8221; and <\/span><b>Bagehot<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> characterized it as a &#8220;hyphen that joins, the buckle that binds the executive and legislative departments together.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>L.S. Amery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stated that the Cabinet serves as the &#8220;central directing instrument of Government.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>British Perspective on the Cabinet&#8217;s Role: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the British context, <\/span><b>Ramsay Muir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went so far as to label it the &#8216;Dictatorship of the Cabinet&#8217;.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in the majority, the<\/span><b> Cabinet&#8217;s position is likened to a dictatorship,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> albeit one qualified by publicity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This characterization, asserting a powerful but<\/span><b> not always fully utilized omnipotence, holds true in the Indian context as well<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Concept of Kitchen Cabinet<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Role of the Cabinet: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cabinet, led by the Prime Minister and comprising around <\/span><b>15 to 20 key ministers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, serves as the primary formal decision-making body.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Emergence of the Inner Cabinet:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> However, a more exclusive group known as the <\/span><b>&#8216;Inner Cabinet&#8217; or &#8216;Kitchen Cabinet&#8217; has evolved<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the actual center of power.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This informal assembly includes the <\/span><b>Prime Minister <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>two to four trusted colleagues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both cabinet ministers and outsiders like friends and family.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Function of the Inner Cabinet:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Inner Cabinet <\/span><b>advises on significant political and administrative matters,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aiding the Prime Minister in crucial decision-making.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout India&#8217;s history, each <\/span><b>Prime Minister has maintained their Inner Cabinet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, notably powerful during Indira Gandhi&#8217;s era.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Advantages of the Inner Cabinet:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The utilization of the &#8216;Inner Cabinet&#8217; as an <\/span><b>extra-constitutional body <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is attributed to its advantages, such as <\/span><b>enhanced efficiency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in decision-making due to its smaller size, <\/span><b>more frequent and expedient meetings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>aiding in maintaining secrecy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on critical political decisions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Drawbacks of the Inner Cabinet: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><b>drawbacks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include diminishing the authority of the formal cabinet and<\/span><b> bypassing the legal process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by involving external individuals in government functioning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global Context of the Kitchen Cabinet: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This concept of a &#8216;Kitchen Cabinet,&#8217; where decisions are formulated before formal cabinet approval, is not exclusive to India; <\/span><b>it exists in the USA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Britain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, exerting considerable influence on government decisions there as well.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #ff6600;\"><b>Articles related to Council of Ministers<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<table style=\"width: 99.5192%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Article No.<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Subject Matter<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><b>74<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Council of Ministers to aid and advise President<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><b>75<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other provisions as to Ministers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><b>77<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conduct of business of the Government of India<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><b>78<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Duties of the Prime Minister as respects the furnishing of information to the President, etc.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 13.113%; text-align: center;\"><b>88<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8; width: 154.873%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rights of Ministers as respects the Houses<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span class=\"vc_button\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/i><\/a><i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.8137%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 365.482%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Must Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.0244%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/\"><b>Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.458%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\"><b>Editorial Analysis<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.0244%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\"><b>Upsc Notes\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.458%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/blogs\/\"><b>Upsc Blogs\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.0244%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/\"><b>NCERT Notes<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.458%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\"><b>Free Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Council of Ministers embodies the<\/span><b> principles of collective and individual responsibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Indian governance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its members work together to implement <\/span><b>policies and support the Prime Minister&#8217;s decisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite its constitutional foundations, the<\/span><b> CoM&#8217;s dynamics and interactions reflect the evolving nature of India&#8217;s political landscape<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Thus, it remains a cornerstone of effective governance and democratic accountability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><i>Sign up for the<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <b><i>PWOnlyIAS Online Course by Physics Wallah<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i> and start your journey to IAS success today!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.08%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 155.991%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #ff5e00; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Related Articles\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.9476%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/indian-constitution-exploration\/\">Features of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 106.044%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/leader-of-opposition-in-lok-sabha\/\">Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.9476%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/council-of-ministers\/\">The Council of Ministers: Union and State in India<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 106.044%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #e9ebe8;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/cabinet-ministers-in-india-roles-responsibilities-and-impact\/\">Cabinet Ministers in India: Roles, Responsibilities, and Impact<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Examine the composition, authority, and duties of the Council of Ministers of India, chaired by the Prime Minister, to help in your UPSC exam preparation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[122],"doc_tag":[5910],"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-04","word_count":2536,"total_views":"0","reactions":{"happy":"1","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Priyanka","author_nicename":"priyanka6","author_url":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/author\/priyanka6"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"INDIAN POLITY","term_url":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs-category\/indian-polity"}],"doc_tag_info":[{"term_name":"Union Executive II","term_url":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs-tag\/union-executive-ii"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/134301"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134301"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/134301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148104,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/134301\/revisions\/148104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=134301"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=134301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}