Question

As head of the Government, the Prime Minister has the responsibility of managing all affairs of the country. In this context, state the following:
(a)The manner of his appointment.
(b)His important powers.
(c)His position under the Parliamentary system of government.

Answer 1

Hint: In India’s parliamentary system of government, the President serves as the head of the state or the nominal executive and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister serves as the head of the government or the real executive.

Complete step by step solution:
(a)After the Lok Sabha General Elections are held, the leader of the party or coalition which wins the most number of seats in the Lok Sabha is invited to form the Government and hold the office of the Prime Minister. The President administers the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Although this method of appointing the Prime minister is not written in the Constitution, it is followed based on precedent.
(b)The Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. It is the Prime Minister who decides the portfolios and ranks of the ministers and presides over the meetings of the council of ministers. All major appointments are made by the Prime Minister and all major decision-making bodies such as the union cabinet, the Planning Commission (NITI Aayog) and cabinet committees function under the Prime Minister’s supervision and direction. The office also functions as the chief spokesperson of the government in the Lok Sabha and keeps the House informed of government decisions. The council of ministers along with the Prime Minister is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
(c)As far as the position of the Prime Minister is concerned, the office functions as the head of the government, the leader of the Cabinet, the leader of the Parliament and the Chairman of the Planning Commission (NITI Aayog). The office of the Prime Minister is the most powerful office under the Indian Constitution.

Note: The Parliamentary system in India is very similar to the British Parliament system wherein as well the office of the Prime Minister is given a very dominant role.