The Role of the Prime Minister in Indian Governance

Abstract

The Prime Minister occupies a central position in India's parliamentary system and serves as the head of the Union Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister plays a major role in government formation, policy coordination, executive leadership, parliamentary accountability, national administration, and relations between the Union and states. Although executive authority is formally vested in the President, the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister exercises the political executive authority of the Union within the constitutional framework. This paper examines nine major dimensions of the role of the Prime Minister in Indian governance, including government formation, leadership of the Council of Ministers, policy-making, parliamentary responsibility, administrative coordination, federal relations, appointments, crisis management, and contemporary challenges.