NOTES

·         The President appoints, as Prime Minister, the person most likely to command the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha (usually the leader of the majority party or coalition). The President then appoints the other members of the Council of Ministers, distributing portfolios to them on the advice of the Prime Minister.

·         The Council of Ministers remains in power during the 'pleasure' of the President. In practice, however, the Council of Ministers must retain the support of the Lok Sabha. If a President were to dismiss the Council of Ministers on his or her own initiative, it might trigger a constitutional crisis. Thus, in practice, the Council of Ministers cannot be dismissed as long as it commands the support of a majority in the Lok Sabha.

·         The President is responsible for making a wide variety of appointments. These include

·         Governors of States

·         The Chief Justice, other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts of India

·         The Attorney General

·         The Comptroller and Auditor General

·         The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners

·         The Chairman and other Members of the Union Public Service Commission

·         Vice Chancellor of central university and academic staff of central university through his nominee

·         Directors of IITs and NITs

·         Ambassadors and High Commissioners to other countries