Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister:

i. Formation of the Council of Ministers: The task of formation of the ministry begins with the appointment of the Prime Minister by the President. After the appointment of Prime Minister, the President appoints all other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The PM determines the strength of his ministry and selects his team of ministers. However this number cannot be more than 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha.

ii. Allocation of Portfolios: It is an undisputed privilege of the Prime Minister to allocate portfolios to his ministers. Which particular department is to be given to which minister is determined by him. Any minister objecting to such an allotment invites the wrath of the Prime Minister and can get completely ignored from the ministry. The Prime Minister has the power to change the departments (portfolios) of the ministers at any time. It is his privilege to shuffle and re-shuffle his ministry any time and as many times as he may like.

iii. Chairman of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet. He presides over its meetings. He decides the agenda of its meetings. In fact all matters in the Cabinet are decided with the approval and consent of the Prime Minister. It is up to him to accept or reject proposals for discussions in the Cabinet. All ministers conform to his views and policies. There is scope for deliberations and discussions but not for opposition.

iv. Removal of Ministers: The Prime Minister can demand resignation from any minister at any time, and the latter has to accept the wishes of the former. However, if any minister may fail to resign, the Prime Minister can get him dismissed from the President.

v. Chief Link between the President and the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the main channel of communication between the President and the Cabinet. He communicates to the President all decisions of the Cabinet, and puts before the Cabinet the views of the President. This is the sole privilege of the Prime Minister and no other minister can, of his own convey the decisions or reveal to the President the nature or summary of the issues discussed in the Cabinet.

vi. Leader of the Parliament: As the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister is also the leader of the Parliament. In this capacity, it is the PM who, in consultation with the Speaker of this Lok Sabha, decides the agenda of the House. The summoning and the proroguing of Parliament is in fact decided by him and the President only acts upon his advice.

vii. Power to get the Parliament Dissolved: The Prime Minister has the power to advise the President in favour of a dissolution of the Lok Sabha. This power of dissolution really means that the members hold their seats in the House at the mercy of the Prime Minister. No member likes to contest frequent elections as these involve huge expenditures and uncertainties. It has been rightly remarked that this is such an important weapon in the hands of the Prime Minister that it binds his party men, and even the members of opposition.

viii. Role as the Leader of the Nation: Besides being the leader of his party and the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister is also the leader of the nation. General elections are fought in his name. The personality of the Prime Minister and the respect and love, that he commands act as a source of strength for his party as well as the nation. He leads the nation both in times of peace and war.