Union Council of Ministers of India

Union Council of Ministers of India
Cabinet name	Union Council of Ministers of India
Cabinet type	Council of Ministers
Jurisdiction	the Republic of India
Incumbent	Third Modi ministry
Date formed	26 May 2014 (first Modi ministry)
Government head	Narendra Modi
Government head title	Prime Minister
State head	Droupadi Murmu
State head title	President
Members number	78
Political party	National Democratic Alliance (BJP)
Legislature status	Majority
Election	2024
Previous	Second Modi ministry
Website	[https://cabsec.gov.in/ Cabinet Secretariat]

Union Council of Ministers of India is the principal executive organ of the Government of India, headed by the Prime Minister. It is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. The Council aids and advises the President in the exercise of her functions, as per the provisions of the Constitution of India.

Constitutional basis and appointment

The Council of Ministers finds its basis in Article 74 and Article 75 of the Constitution of India. The President appoints the Prime Minister, and on the Prime Minister's advice, appoints other ministers from among members of Parliament. A minister who is not a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha must secure a seat within six months of appointment. The President administers the oaths of office and secrecy to ministers, as outlined in the Third Schedule.

Composition and structure

The Council is structured into a three-tier hierarchy: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (independent charge), and Ministers of State. The Cabinet, comprising senior ministers led by the Prime Minister, is the core decision-making body. Portfolios are allocated by the Prime Minister, covering ministries like the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Finance. The size of the Council is determined by the Prime Minister, subject to constitutional conventions and political considerations.

Functions and responsibilities

The Council is collectively responsible for all executive decisions of the Government of India. It formulates national policies, introduces major legislative bills in Parliament, and oversees the administration of various union ministries. Key functions include preparing the Union Budget, advising the President on the proclamation of Emergency, and representing India in international forums like the United Nations and G20. The Cabinet Secretary coordinates its administrative functions.

Current Council of Ministers

The incumbent is the Third Modi ministry, sworn in on 9 June 2024 following the 2024 general election. It is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprises ministers from the National Democratic Alliance, predominantly the Bharatiya Janata Party. Senior members include Amit Shah at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman at the Ministry of Finance, and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Ministry of External Affairs. The council operates from the Secretariat Building in New Delhi.

Historical development and trends

The first Council was formed in 1947 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru following Independence. Historically, councils under the Indian National Congress dominated until the late 1990s, when coalition eras began with governments like the National Front and the United Front. The Bharatiya Janata Party led its first full-term council under Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1999 to 2004. Trends include increasing size, greater regional representation, and the inclusion of technocrats, as seen in governments led by Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi.

Relationship with Parliament

The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and must maintain its confidence. Ministers pilot legislation, answer questions during Question Hour, and participate in debates in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister and other ministers are members of key parliamentary committees. The Council can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President and must resign if defeated on a major vote, such as a motion of confidence.

Category:Council of Ministers of India Category:Government of India India