UNION COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Powers and Functions of the Union council of Ministers: Article 74 and 75 of the Indian
constitution deals with the Composition, Powers and Functions of the Union council of
Ministers. Article 74 deals with the Status of council of Ministers. Article 75 States that the
Union council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the people. The
Union council of Ministers consist of three categories of Ministers they are;
1. Cabinet Ministers
2. Ministers of State
3. Deputy Ministers
1. Cabinet Ministers: The Cabinet Ministers acts as the heads of important ministries like
Home affairs, Finance, Defence, Railways, Foreign affairs, Information Technology,
Mines and Steel etc., in the Union government. They enjoy Independence in their working
and implementing policies concerning their ministry. They play a decisive role in the
meeting of Union council of Ministers and the Union cabinet. They meet frequently and
determine the Policies of the Union government in the name of the President and under the
guidance of the Prime minister.
2. Ministers of State (Independent Charge): The Ministers of State with independent
charge hold some Portfolios in the Union Executive with direct Answerability to the Prime
minister. They do not have Cabinet ministers Superior to them in the Ministry. Minister of
state with independent charge has power to take decisions in the Ministry Independently
and Report directly to the Prime minister. They can attend Cabinet meetings only if invited
in case of important issues.
3. Deputy Ministers (Minister of State without Independent charge): The Ministers of
state without independent charge also called as Deputy Ministers or Minister of state. These
minister Assist the Cabinet ministers in the Administrative and Legislative affairs of the
Union government. They do not possess authority of Decision making. They are not called
to the Cabinet meetings.
Powers and functions of the Union cabinet:
The Union cabinet formulates the Policies of the Union government. It finalizes the
National as well as International policies of the Nation after having serious discussions.
It renders advice to the President on all matters in administrative of the Union
government. It guides the President in exercise of his functions.
It formulates the Annual budget and introduced the same in the Parliament on the advice
of the President.
It take decisions for rescuing the people effected during the Natural calamities like
Earthquake, Famine, and Cyclone etc.
When the Parliament is not session Necessary situations issues of Ordinance.
It Pilots several bills in the Parliament at the various stages and strives to secure the
approval of the latter.
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