Introduction Executive: The Constitution provides for a collegiate executive i.e Council of ministers under the chair members of the Prime Minister Meaning: A body of persons having authority to initiate major policies, make decisions and implement them on basis of the Constitution and laws of the country. There are two important organs of the Union Government. The Union Legislature (or) the Union Parliament The Union Executive In the previous unit you have learnt about the Union Legislature. Let us now deal with Union Executive.
You should remember that articles to in Part V of the Indian Constitution deal with “Union Executive”. India has adopted the British Parliamentary executive mode with the Prime Minister as the Head of the Government. Prime Minister is the most important political institution. But in the council of Ministers (Cabinet), the Prime Minister is primus inter pares (first among equals).
Appointment The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for the selection and appointment of the Prime Minister. There is no direct election to the post of the Prime Minister. Article says that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President. Appointment is not by the choice of the President.
The President appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of the parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as the Prime Minister. In case, no single party gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure a majority support. The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure. He/she continues in power so long as he/she remains the leader of the majority party or coalition.
Functions and Position The first and foremost function of the Prime Minister is to prepare the list of his ministers. He meets the President with this list and then the Council of Ministers is formed. Very important ministers are designated as Ministers of the Cabinet rank, others are called Ministers of State, while ministers belonging to third rank are known as Deputy Ministers. It is one of the discretionary powers