UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  When can the President exercise discretion in... Start Learning for Free
When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?
  • a)
    When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.
  • b)
    When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).
  • c)
    When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.
  • d)
    When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Min...
The President can exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority, and the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister. This situation allows the President to make a decision based on the political circumstances and alliances at that time.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Min...
Understanding Presidential Discretion in Appointing the Prime Minister
The President of India holds significant powers, particularly in the appointment of the Prime Minister. However, this discretion is exercised under specific circumstances.
Context of Discretion
- The President's role is largely ceremonial, but they can exercise discretion in certain scenarios.
- The appointment of the Prime Minister is typically based on the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority in the Lok Sabha.
Scenario for Discretion: Majority Party Fails to Nominate
- The correct answer, option 'C', indicates that the President can exercise discretion when the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.
- This situation often arises in cases of political instability or a hung parliament where no party has a clear majority.
Reasons for Exercise of Discretion
- In the absence of a clear leader, the President must ensure that a capable individual is appointed to maintain the functioning of the government.
- This discretion helps preserve the democratic process and ensures that governance continues without a significant power vacuum.
Other Options Explained
- Option 'A': If the incumbent Prime Minister resigns, the President typically invites the leader of the majority party to form the government.
- Option 'B': A Prime Minister being a member of the Rajya Sabha does not hinder their appointment; they can still be appointed as long as they are a member of Parliament.
- Option 'D': If the Prime Minister loses support in state legislatures, it does not directly affect their appointment unless it leads to a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.
Conclusion
The President's discretion is a vital element in ensuring political stability and effective governance, particularly when there is uncertainty regarding leadership.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice When can the President exercise discretion in appointing the Prime Minister?a)When the incumbent Prime Minister resigns from office.b)When the Prime Minister is a member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).c)When the majority party fails to nominate a leader for Prime Minister.d)When the Prime Minister loses support in the state legislatures.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev