PM Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister

Why in News?

Shri Narendra Modi has become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister in a continuous term, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office and surpassing the record of Jawaharlal Nehru, who served 4,398 consecutive days after India’s first general election.

Prime Minister of India

The Prime Minister is the head of the Government of India and the real executive authority in the parliamentary system. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers and serves as the principal link between the President and the executive branch of government.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 74(1) provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President, who shall act in accordance with such advice. Thus, the real executive powers of the Union are exercised by the Council of Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
• Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure, and responsibilities of ministers. Under Article 75(3), the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• The Prime Minister must enjoy the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha and is required to resign if unable to prove majority support when called upon to do so.
• Appointment of the Prime Minister: The President appoints the Prime Minister, usually the leader of the political party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister may be a member of either: Lok Sabha, or Rajya Sabha.

Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister

• Head of the Council of Ministers: The Prime Minister forms the Council of Ministers and recommends the appointment of ministers to the President. The Prime Minister can also seek the resignation or dismissal of ministers.

• Allocation of Portfolios: The Prime Minister allocates and reshuffles ministerial portfolios and determines the responsibilities of individual ministers.

• Chairman of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister presides over Cabinet meetings and acts as the Chairman of the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees, ensuring coordination among ministries and departments.

• Adviser to the President: The Prime Minister is the principal adviser to the President on all important matters of governance. The power to advise the President regarding the dissolution of the Lok Sabha effectively rests with the Prime Minister.

• Leader of the Government and Parliament: The Prime Minister is the chief spokesperson of government policies in Parliament and serves as the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in legislative and policy-making processes.

• National Leadership Role: As the head of government, the Prime Minister provides leadership in domestic governance, foreign policy, national security, and economic development.

• Ex-Officio Positions Held by the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of several important bodies, including:
  • NITI Aayog
  • National Integration Council
  • Inter-State Council
  • Nuclear Command Authority
  • National Board for Wildlife
  • National Ganga Council

Significance of the Office

The Prime Minister occupies the most influential position in India’s parliamentary democracy. As the head of the executive, leader of the Council of Ministers, and chief coordinator of government policy, the Prime Minister plays a central role in the functioning of the Union Government and the implementation of national policies.