PPT: Chief Minister & Council of Ministers | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

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Chief Minister & 
Council of Ministers
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Chief Minister & 
Council of Ministers
Understanding the State Executive in India
Governor
Constitutional head of the state 
who acts largely on the advice 
of the Council of Ministers
Chief Minister
Real executive authority who 
leads the state government and 
shapes policy decisions
Council of Ministers
Team of ministers who assist 
the CM in governance and 
administer various departments
While the Governor represents the ceremonial authority, the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers exercise 
actual executive power in the day-to-day administration of the state.
Page 3


Chief Minister & 
Council of Ministers
Understanding the State Executive in India
Governor
Constitutional head of the state 
who acts largely on the advice 
of the Council of Ministers
Chief Minister
Real executive authority who 
leads the state government and 
shapes policy decisions
Council of Ministers
Team of ministers who assist 
the CM in governance and 
administer various departments
While the Governor represents the ceremonial authority, the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers exercise 
actual executive power in the day-to-day administration of the state.
Who is the Chief 
Minister?
The elected head of the state government
Holds de facto executive power, similar to the Prime 
Minister at the central level
Acts as the principal advisor to the Governor
Leads the Council of Ministers and oversees state 
administration
Responsible for policy formulation and 
implementation at state level
Page 4


Chief Minister & 
Council of Ministers
Understanding the State Executive in India
Governor
Constitutional head of the state 
who acts largely on the advice 
of the Council of Ministers
Chief Minister
Real executive authority who 
leads the state government and 
shapes policy decisions
Council of Ministers
Team of ministers who assist 
the CM in governance and 
administer various departments
While the Governor represents the ceremonial authority, the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers exercise 
actual executive power in the day-to-day administration of the state.
Who is the Chief 
Minister?
The elected head of the state government
Holds de facto executive power, similar to the Prime 
Minister at the central level
Acts as the principal advisor to the Governor
Leads the Council of Ministers and oversees state 
administration
Responsible for policy formulation and 
implementation at state level
Constitutional Framework for State Executive
Article 163
"There shall be a Council 
of Ministers with the 
Chief Minister as the 
head to aid and advise 
the Governor in the 
exercise of his functions, 
except in so far as he is 
required to exercise his 
functions in his 
discretion."
Article 164
Specifies the 
appointment, tenure, 
qualifications, and 
responsibilities of the 
Chief Minister and other 
ministers who are 
appointed by the 
Governor.
Article 167
Requires the Chief 
Minister to communicate 
all decisions of the 
Council of Ministers to 
the Governor and 
provide information 
when requested.
Page 5


Chief Minister & 
Council of Ministers
Understanding the State Executive in India
Governor
Constitutional head of the state 
who acts largely on the advice 
of the Council of Ministers
Chief Minister
Real executive authority who 
leads the state government and 
shapes policy decisions
Council of Ministers
Team of ministers who assist 
the CM in governance and 
administer various departments
While the Governor represents the ceremonial authority, the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers exercise 
actual executive power in the day-to-day administration of the state.
Who is the Chief 
Minister?
The elected head of the state government
Holds de facto executive power, similar to the Prime 
Minister at the central level
Acts as the principal advisor to the Governor
Leads the Council of Ministers and oversees state 
administration
Responsible for policy formulation and 
implementation at state level
Constitutional Framework for State Executive
Article 163
"There shall be a Council 
of Ministers with the 
Chief Minister as the 
head to aid and advise 
the Governor in the 
exercise of his functions, 
except in so far as he is 
required to exercise his 
functions in his 
discretion."
Article 164
Specifies the 
appointment, tenure, 
qualifications, and 
responsibilities of the 
Chief Minister and other 
ministers who are 
appointed by the 
Governor.
Article 167
Requires the Chief 
Minister to communicate 
all decisions of the 
Council of Ministers to 
the Governor and 
provide information 
when requested.
Appointment Process of the Chief 
Minister
Normal Scenario
The Governor invites the 
leader of the party or 
coalition that has secured a 
clear majority in the 
Legislative Assembly to 
form the government.
No Clear Majority
The Governor uses 
discretion to appoint the 
person most likely to 
command majority support, 
who must then prove 
majority within a stipulated 
time (usually 30 days).
Qualification 
Exception
A person not already a 
member of the legislature 
can be appointed CM but 
must get elected within six 
months to continue in 
office.