Isabella Carter
The Indian Constitution's cabinet system, modelled after the British Constitution, is the highest decision-making body in the government. It is a small group of 15 to 20 ministers, including the Prime Minister and other senior ministers, responsible for making and implementing policies, as well as coordinating the government's work. The cabinet is mentioned in Article 352(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the President cannot issue a proclamation without written communication from the Union Cabinet. The cabinet's role in the political and administrative system is based on the British parliamentary government conventions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 15-20 ministers |
| Leadership | Prime Minister |
| Powers | Highest decision-making body, responsible for making and implementing policy decisions, coordinating the work of the government, and controlling high-level appointments |
| Accountability | Accountable to Parliament and the President |
| Nature | Extra-constitutional |
| Origin | British/Westminster model |
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What You'll Learn
The Cabinet's role in the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution's cabinet system is based on the British Westminster model of government. The word "Cabinet" is mentioned only once in the Indian Constitution in Article 352(3), which states that the President cannot issue a proclamation without written communication from the Union Cabinet. The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the government, consisting of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers, typically from the majority party or coalition in parliament. It is the true seat of power in the government, with the Prime Minister at its head. The Cabinet is responsible for making and implementing policies, coordinating the work of the government, and controlling high-level appointments. It is also in charge of foreign affairs and policies.
The Cabinet acts under the name of the council of ministers and performs all major functions. It is responsible for deciding on major policy questions, developing programs, and formulating both domestic and foreign policies. The Cabinet also performs the President's executive powers, and once the policies are approved by the Cabinet, the President can declare a national emergency. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the President, and the President appoints the Cabinet ministers, following the Prime Minister's recommendations. The Cabinet is responsible to Parliament, and its members are accountable to Parliament for their actions.
Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional in nature and are not mentioned in the Constitution. They are established under the Rules of Business and are set up by the Prime Minister according to the requirements of the time. They help in decision-making, particularly where multiple ministries are involved, and in horizontal consultation and coordination between different ministries. The most powerful Cabinet Committee is the Political Affairs Committee, often described as a Super-Cabinet.
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The Cabinet's powers and functions
The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the Indian government, consisting of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers. It is the pivot around which the entire political machinery of India revolves. The Cabinet is responsible for formulating and implementing policy decisions, as well as coordinating the work of the government.
The Cabinet is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution, except for in Article 352(3), which states that the President cannot issue a proclamation without written communication from the Union Cabinet. However, the Cabinet system in India was influenced by the Westminster model of government, which was preferred by the Constituent Assembly and India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Cabinet exercises control over high-level appointments, such as those for constitutional positions and senior secretariat administrators. It also handles all foreign policies and foreign affairs. The Cabinet is responsible for overseeing the government's expenditure, submitting the need for grants, and collecting revenue through various means, including taxation. It is also involved in administrative executive powers, such as making decisions on defence, economic policy, security needs, industrial policy, imports, electoral changes, and the establishment of new states.
The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of the government. The Prime Minister can request the resignation of a Cabinet Minister or advise the President to dismiss them. The Cabinet Secretariat, functioning under the Prime Minister, assists in decision-making by ensuring inter-ministerial coordination and managing major crisis situations.
Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional and are established by the Prime Minister as needed. They can make decisions, but the Cabinet has the power to review them. Overall, the Cabinet plays a crucial role in India's political landscape by making and implementing important policy decisions and coordinating the work of the various ministries and departments of the government.
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The Cabinet's relationship with the Council of Ministers
The Cabinet and the Council of Ministers are two distinct but interconnected concepts in the Indian political system, both of which are recognised by the country's constitution. The Council of Ministers is a broader body, comprising 55 to 60 members, including the Prime Minister, who is its head, and other ministers who oversee key sectors such as defence, finance and railways. This council is the supreme executive organ of the government, responsible for advising and aiding the President, and for coordinating the Central administration.
The Cabinet, on the other hand, is a smaller, more exclusive group, consisting of 15 to 20 members, including the Prime Minister and other senior ministers who are typically members of the majority party or coalition in parliament. It is the highest formal decision-making body in the government, responsible for making and implementing policy decisions, and for coordinating the work of the government. The Cabinet is formed from within the Council of Ministers, and is thus a subset of the larger body, but wields significant power.
The relationship between the two bodies is hierarchical, with the Cabinet being subordinate to the Council of Ministers, and both reporting to the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is responsible for advising the President, and the Cabinet is responsible for policy implementation and coordination. The Cabinet is also responsible for high-level appointments, such as those for constitutional positions and senior administrators.
The principle of collective responsibility is a cornerstone of the Indian Cabinet system, meaning that all members of the Cabinet are accountable to Parliament for their actions. This principle is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, in Article 75, which states that "The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People".
In summary, the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers are integral components of India's governance structure, with the Cabinet being a smaller, more powerful group within the larger Council of Ministers, both working under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
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The Cabinet's decision-making process
The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the Indian government, with the Prime Minister as its leader. The Cabinet is responsible for making and implementing policy decisions, as well as coordinating the work of the government. It is composed of senior ministers, typically heads of various government departments and ministries, who are chosen by the Prime Minister. The ministers are accountable to Parliament for their actions.
The Cabinet meets regularly to discuss and decide on crucial national issues. These meetings are held behind closed doors to ensure confidentiality, allowing ministers to discuss sensitive issues freely. Once decisions are made, they are communicated to the public through official channels, ensuring transparency and accountability. The Cabinet Secretariat assists in decision-making by ensuring inter-ministerial coordination, managing crises, and promoting new policy initiatives.
The Indian Cabinet system is based on the Westminster model of government, which was preferred by the Constituent Assembly and India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It has evolved and adapted to suit the country's conditions and the evolving party system. The Cabinet's role is central to shaping India's future, with its decisions impacting various aspects of the country's development, including economic, social, and security landscapes.
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The Cabinet's role in foreign policy and foreign affairs
The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in India's political and administrative system. It is the primary body for formulating government policy at the central level and acts as the main coordinator of the central administration. The Cabinet is responsible for handling all foreign policies and foreign affairs.
The Cabinet is led by the Prime Minister and consists of several key ministers. The Minister of External Affairs, one of the senior-most offices in the union cabinet, is responsible for representing India in the international community and advancing its interests on the global stage. The minister plays a crucial role in shaping and directing the country's foreign policy and is supported by one or more junior ministers, known as Ministers of State (MoS) for External Affairs.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is responsible for balancing and maintaining foreign policy-making in India. It looks after all foreign affairs, including policy execution and the day-to-day management of international relations. The MEA's administrative structure is divided into territorial and functional divisions, with each division responsible for policy coordination in its respective domain.
The Cabinet also includes several cabinet committees, which are extra-constitutional in nature and not mentioned in the Constitution. These committees facilitate the in-depth examination of policy issues and effective coordination. There are eight cabinet committees, including the Cabinet Committee on Security, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
The Cabinet acts as an advisory body to the President, and its advice is binding. Cabinet ministers are typically members of the majority party or coalition in parliament and are accountable to the Parliament for their actions. The Cabinet also exercises control over high-level appointments and is responsible for managing crisis situations and dealing with emergencies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the government, consisting of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers. It is the true seat of power in the government.
The Cabinet is responsible for making and implementing policy decisions, and for coordinating the work of the government. It is in charge of all foreign policies and foreign affairs.
The Cabinet typically meets regularly to discuss and decide on important issues facing the country. It is responsible to the Parliament, and its members are accountable to the Parliament for their actions. The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and can constitute or discontinue Standing Committees of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet system in India is based on the Westminster model of government, which was preferred by the Constituent Assembly and India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It was retained after India's independence in 1947.
The Cabinet is a smaller body within the Council of Ministers and is considered more powerful. It consists of 15 to 20 ministers and acts under the name of the Council of Ministers.
