The Prime Minister of India is the head of government responsible for leading the nation, making major political decisions, maintaining foreign relations and leading the parliament. Appointed on 26 May 2014, Narendra Modi is the current and 14th Prime Minister of India.
The position of the Prime Minister of India is one of the most important positions in the government, as they are responsible for leading the nation, making major political decisions, providing leadership to the cabinet and shaping the future of the country. The Prime Minister works closely with the President and serves as the primary communication between the President and the ministers. Therefore, this role carries both great power and great responsibility. They typically get paid ₹1.66 lakh per month along with allowances and financial perks. Currently, Narendra Modi has been serving as the PM of India since 2014.
The Prime Minister of India gets to enjoy immense power as they get to facilitate the appointment of ministers, give advice to the President on important matters, serve as the leader of the Parliament and shape India’s foreign policy. To be eligible for this position, candidates need to be Indian citizens, have majority support from the Lok Sabha and must not be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act. They also need to be a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. However, their selection largely depends on the appointment by the President.
Who is the Current Prime Minister of India?
The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and chief of the executive branch of the Union Government. Since May 26, 2014, the current and 14th Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. As the leader of the majority party in parliament, the PM is the functional head of the executive branch while serving as the head of state, which is the President.
Eligibility Criteria to Become Prime Minister of India
To be the Prime Minister of India, the person must be a citizen of India, a member of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, and meet minimum age requirements. They also need a majority support from members of the Lok Sabha. Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria to become Prime Minister of India: -
Citizenship and Minimum Age
Any candidate interested in the position of Prime Minister must be a citizen of India. They should be at least 25 years old if they are a member of the Lok Sabha and at least 30 years old if they are a member of the Rajya Sabha.
No Office of Profit
A potential Prime Minister must not hold any ‘office of profit’ under the Government of India, any state government, or any local or other authority. This rule exists to maintain separate powers and ensure that legislators are not influenced by the executive branch through profitable appointments.
Majority Support
The interested candidate must command the confidence of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha to be eligible for the position of the Prime Minister, typically requiring 272 out of 543 seats. However, the final call is always taken by the President as they make the appointment.
Disqualifications
The interested candidate must not be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1951 or the Tenth Schedule. Also, a person convicted of an offence with a sentence of 2 or more years is disqualified from holding office.
Parliamentary Membership
A potential Prime Minister must be a member of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. If the appointed Prime Minister is not a member of either house, they must become a member within six months of their appointment.
Roles and Functions of the Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India is the head of government, the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and the principal advisor to the President. They are responsible for leading the Union Cabinet, setting India's foreign policy, managing national crises and representing the country on the global stage. Let’s take a look at the role and functions of the Prime Minister of India: -
1. Head of Council Members
The Prime Minister recommends ministers to the President, allocates portfolios, shuffles the departments of ministers and can even demand their resignation. They offer leadership during the meetings of the Cabinet and influence its decisions.
2. Link Between Cabinet and President
As per Article 78, the Prime Minister is obligated to inform the President regarding the administration of Union affairs and legislative proposals. This means that they serve as a crucial link between the cabinet and the President.
3. Leader of Parliament
The Prime Minister manages government business and sets the legislative agenda. They announce major government policies, such as PMKVY, PM-SYM, PM-JANMAN and PM-AASHA, etc. As per Article 85, the PM advises the President on summoning and ending sessions of Parliament.
4. Leader of the Nation
The Prime Minister of India serves as the leader of the nation. They act as the chief spokesperson of the government, represent the country at high-level international meetings and lead several institutions such as NITI Aayog, National Integration Council and Inter-State Council.
5. Key Appointments and Councils
The Prime Minister helps select top officials, such as the Attorney General, Election Commissioners and UPSC Chairman. He has the final say on who joins the Cabinet and can reshuffle or remove ministers at any time.
6. Foreign Policy
The Prime Minister plays a significant role in shaping and representing India’s foreign policy. They represent India on significant international summits such as G20, BRICS, QUAD and UN General Assembly.
Salary of Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India receives an official monthly salary of approximately ₹1.66 lakh. They receive a daily allowance, which is calculated as ₹2,000 per day for attending Parliament sessions. This remuneration is determined by the Parliament. Let’s take a look at the monthly salary breakdown of the Prime Minister of India.
| Particular |
Amount |
| Basic Pay |
₹50,000 |
| Parliamentary Constituency Allowance |
₹45,000 |
| Daily Allowance |
₹62,000 |
| Expense Allowance |
₹3,000 |
Powers of the Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India is the head of government who holds supreme executive authority to appoint and reshuffle ministers. As the leader of the majority party and an important link to the President, the PM controls major decisions, foreign relations and can dissolve the Lok Sabha. Let’s take a look at the powers of the Prime Minister of India: -
1. Appointment of Ministers and Officials
The President appoints ministers recommended by the Prime Minister, which highlights their executive power. The PM allocates, reshuffles and removes portfolios among ministers. They advise the President on key appointments of judges, reserve bank of india governors and high-ranking government officials.
2. Cabinet Leadership
The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet meetings and dictates decisions. They act as the ultimate decision maker because they guide, control and direct the activities of all ministers in the council.
3. Communication Channel
The Prime Minister functions as the primary link between the Cabinet and the President, communicating all decisions regarding administration and legislation to the President for administrative purposes.
4. Foreign Relations
The Prime Minister shapes India's foreign policy and represents the country at international summits. They are responsible for strengthening partnerships with major powers such as the USA, Russia, Japan and France for defence cooperation and technology.
5. Chairman of Key Bodies
The Prime Minister chairs the NITI Aayog, National Integration Council, Cabinet Secretary, Interstate Council and National Water Resources Council. As the head of government, the PM leads organizations that oversee national development, security and scientific advancement.
Conclusion
The Prime Minister of India is the most powerful person in the government as they act as the primary link between the President and the ministers. They are responsible for the appointment of ministers and officials, cabinet leadership, maintaining foreign relations and leading the parliament. The Prime Minister holds the power to appoint, shuffle and terminate ministers at any point if needed. They also have the authority to influence the legislative process through their decisions. The Prime Minister gets paid approximately ₹1.66 lakh per month, which includes various allowances. Currently, the Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi, who has been in office since 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Appointed on 26 May 2014, Narendra Modi is the current and 14th Prime Minister of India. He continues to lead the country, focusing on governance, economic growth, and international relations.
The Prime Minister of India is appointed by the President of India, usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India, serving from 1947 until his death in 1964. Nehru played a major role in shaping modern India’s democratic institutions and development policies.
The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and leads the executive branch. The Prime Minister heads the Union Council of Ministers, makes key policy decisions, advises the President of India, and oversees the administration of the country.
Indira Gandhi was the first woman Prime Minister of India. She became Prime Minister in 1966 and served until 1977, and again from 1980 until 1984. Indira Gandhi was one of India’s most influential political leaders.
The Prime Minister of India receives a monthly salary of about ₹1.66 lakh, including basic pay, parliamentary allowances, and daily allowances. In addition, the Prime Minister gets benefits like an official residence, security, travel facilities, and medical care.