How Is the Prime Minister Elected in India?
By the polity window - October 21, 2025 | categories:- indian politics - polity Notes
Introduction
The Prime Minister (PM) is the most powerful and central figure in India’s political system. As the head of the government, the Prime Minister plays a key role in shaping national policies, leading the Cabinet, and representing India both at home and abroad.
But how exactly is the Prime Minister elected? Unlike the President, who is directly elected by an Electoral College, the Prime Minister is chosen through the parliamentary system. not elected by the people directly. Instead, the process is based on parliamentary principles, as India follows the Westminster model of democracy.
This article explains, in detail, how the Prime Minister is chosen, the constitutional provisions involved, and the circumstances that influence the process.
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1. Constitutional Basis
The position and powers of the Prime Minister are defined mainly in Articles 74 and 75 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 74 (1): There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President, who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
• Article 75 (1): The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President, and the other Ministers shall be appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
So, according to the Constitution, the President appoints the Prime Minister, but the appointment must reflect the Lok sabha's (House of the people) democratic will.
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2. The Indirect Election Process - step by step
The Prime Minister of India is indirectly elected through the parliamentary system. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Step 1: General Elections
General elections to the Lok sabha are held every 5 years. There are 543 elected Lok sabha seats.
The party or coalition that wins a majority (at least 272 seats) in the Lok Sabha is invited to form the government.
Step 2: Selection of the Leader
After results, the winning party or coalition selects its parliamentary leader. That leader becomes the Prime Minister-designate.
For example, in 2019, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a majority, its MPs unanimously elected Narendra Modi as their leader, making him the PM-designate.
Step 3: Appointment by the President
The President Appoints the prime minister - designate under article 75 (1). If no clear majority exists, the President may use discretion to invite the leader most likely to command a majority in the Lok Sabha.
Step 4: Oath of Office and Secrecy
After appointment, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers take the oath of office and secrecy administered by the President under Article 75(4).
The oath affirms their commitment to uphold the Constitution and act faithfully.
Step 5: Proving Majority in Lok Sabha
Once appointed, the Prime Minister must prove that they have the confidence of the Lok Sabha. Usually, by a vote of confidence.
If the Prime Minister fails to secure a majority, they must resign.
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3. Prime Minister in Case of a Hung Parliament
Sometimes, no single party gets a clear majority. This situation is known as a hung Parliament.
In such cases, the President has several options:
• Invite the leader of the largest party to prove majority within a fixed time.
• Invite a coalition leader who can show letters of support from other parties.
• If no stable government seems possible, the President can recommend fresh elections.
Example (Historical Note):- In 1996, no party had a majority. The President first invited Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BJP) to form the government, but he resigned within 13 days after failing to prove majority. Later, H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral served as PMs of coalition governments.
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4. Tenure and Removal of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister holds office as long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. There is no fixed term in the Constitution for the PM. A prime minister may leave office if :-
1. They resign voluntarily.
2. They lose a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha.
3. The ruling party or coalition withdraws support.
4. They die in office.
If the PM resigns or dies, the entire Council of Ministers automatically stands dissolved, and the President appoints a new Prime Minister.
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5. Qualifications to Become Prime Minister
The Constitution does not have a separate list of qualifications for the PM. However, since the PM must be a member of Parliament, the eligibility is based on that.
Qualifications:
• Must be a citizen of India.
• Must be at least 25 years old to be Lok Sabha member or 30 years for Rajya Sabha member.
• Must be a member of either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
If a person is not a member at the time of appointment, they must become one within six months, or they will have to resign.
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6. Role and Powers of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is often called the “keystone of the Cabinet arch” because all powers of the government revolve around them.
1. Executive Powers :
• Heads the Council of Ministers and allocates portfolios.
• Acts as the chief advisor to the President.
• Represents India in national and international matters.
• Coordinates the work of different ministries and departments.
2. Legislative Powers :
• Leader of the Lok Sabha (if a member).
• Advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament sessions.
• Influences policy-making and law-making through the Cabinet.
3. Administrative Powers :
• Appoints key officials and coordinates between the President and the ministries.
• Acts as the link between the Cabinet and the President.
4. Foreign Policy Role :
• Represents India in international organizations and summits.
• Plays a decisive role in foreign relations and treaties.
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7. Prime Minister vs. President: Who Holds Real Power?
The President is the constitutional head of the state, while the Prime Minister is the real executive head.
The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM (Article 74).
Thus, the PM is the de facto head, and the President is the de jure head.
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8. Types of Prime Ministers
Depending on the political situation, India has seen different kinds of Prime Ministers:
1. Majority PM – enjoys clear majority (e.g., Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi).
2. Coalition PM – leads an alliance government (e.g., Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh in UPA).
3. Minority PM – leads without a clear majority but survives on outside support (e.g., P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991).
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9. Resignation or Death of Prime Minister
If a Prime Minister resigns or dies, the President can:
Appoint an acting Prime Minister, or Invite another leader capable of commanding a majority.
Example: After Jawaharlal Nehru’s death (1964), Gulzarilal Nanda became Acting Prime Minister until Lal Bahadur Shastri was chosen as the new PM.
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10. Historical Examples
• 1947 – Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister as leader of the Indian National Congress.
• 1977 – Morarji Desai became PM after the Janata Party defeated Congress — India’s first non-Congress PM.
• 1998 – Atal Bihari Vajpayee led a coalition government that completed a full term.
• 2014 & 2019 – Narendra Modi led the BJP to a clear majority wins, showing the strength of majority rule in a parliamentary democracy.
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11. Why the PM Is Central to India’s Democracy
The Prime Minister is not just the head of the government but also the chief spokesperson of the nation.
They symbolize : • Political stability
• Policy direction
• National leadership
The effectiveness of India’s democracy largely depends on how responsibly the Prime Minister and the Cabinet exercise their powers.
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Conclusion
In India, the Prime Minister is not directly elected by the people, but indirectly through the elected representatives in the Lok Sabha.
This system ensures that the leader of the government always has the confidence of the Parliament, reflecting the will of the people in a representative democracy.
The office of the Prime Minister is the cornerstone of India’s political structure — blending constitutional authority with democratic accountability.
From Nehru to Modi, every Prime Minister has shaped India’s journey in unique ways, reminding us that the strength of democracy lies not just in elections, but in effective leadership.
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Quick Facts — Revision
- Constitutional source: Articles 74 & 75 of the Indian Constitution.
- How chosen: Appointed by the President but must command majority support in the Lok Sabha.
- Majority needed: Minimum 272 of 543 elected Lok Sabha seats for an outright majority.
- PM-designate: Leader of the majority party or coalition becomes Prime Minister-designate.
- Oath: PM and ministers take oath of office and secrecy under Article 75(4).
- Hung Parliament: President may invite largest party/coalition or require proof of support; fresh elections are an option.
- Tenure: No fixed term—PM serves while enjoying Lok Sabha confidence.
- Qualifications: Must be an Indian citizen and a Member of Parliament (or become one within 6 months).
- Removal: Resignation, loss of confidence vote, withdrawal of party support, or death.
- President vs PM: President is de jure head; Prime Minister is the de facto executive head.
Tags: Indian Politics, Prime Minister, Constitution of India, Lok Sabha, Polity Notes, SSC, UPSC.
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