The Union Executive, which consists of the President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, is a powerful body in a Parliamentary democracy. In this context answer the following questions:
State the position of the Prime Minister and state any two of his powers in relation to the President.
Topic: Position and powers of the Prime Minister
Answer
POSITION: The Prime Minister is the DE FACTO or real head of the government, while the President is only the nominal head. He is the leader of the Lok Sabha, the head of the Council of Ministers, and the chief spokesman of the government — "the keystone of the Cabinet arch".
Two powers in relation to the President: (1) He is the principal CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION between the President and the Council of Ministers. He communicates all decisions of the Council relating to the administration and to proposals for legislation, and furnishes any information the President calls for (Article 78). (2) He ADVISES the President on the appointment of the other ministers and of the Governors, judges and other high officials, and on the summoning, proroguing and dissolution of Parliament — and the President is bound to act on that advice.
Three marks: about one for the position and one for each power. Open with DE FACTO HEAD contrasted with the President’s nominal headship — that single sentence frames the whole answer. Article 78 is the constitutional basis of the first power and is worth naming. The phrase "keystone of the Cabinet arch" is the standard description and examiners recognise it.