Question

Describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India.

Answer 1

Hint: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the country. He/she is the chief advisor to the President of India and head of the Council of Ministers.

Complete Step by Step Answer: The Prime Minister of India is not directly elected. The Prime Minister is the head of the Union of Ministers. The ministers can be members of any house of the Parliament be it Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha but they have to be members of a political party (in coalition or without) which has majority in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister enjoys wide-ranging powers and shoulders various responsibilities as well. Some of the authorities and responsibilities include: allocation of portfolios to the Union Ministers, presiding over the cabinet as its chairman, conducting meetings of the cabinet and giving ultimate decisions for those meetings, representation of the country at international meetings and being the ambassador of the country. The Prime Minister also acts as a link between the Cabinet and the President. He/she communicates all the decisions taken by the Cabinet to the President which are related to administration and legislation.
The Prime Minister also appoints heads of various important organizations like Nuclear Command Authority, Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, NITI Aayog, etc. The Prime Minister also plays a role of serving as the chief advisor to the President.

Note: in case the political party of the Prime Minister does not enjoy a majority in the Parliament, the entire government has to be dissolved and the Prime Minister needs to resign from the post.