Given below are two statements one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).

Answer by using the codes given below.

Assertion (A): Union Ministers can be dismissed by the Prime Minister.

Reason (R): A Union Minister is appointed by the President only on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The correct answer is (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Key Points

• Union Ministers are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister, as per Article 75(1) of the Indian Constitution.
• The Prime Minister has the authority to recommend the dismissal of any Union Minister to the President, effectively leading to their removal.
• The Prime Minister serves as the head of the Council of Ministers and is responsible for its functioning, including the inclusion or exclusion of members.
• Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct. However, the Reason (R) does not directly explain the Assertion (A).
• The dismissal process reflects the Prime Minister's central role in maintaining harmony and efficiency within the Council of Ministers.

Additional Information

• Article 75: This article of the Indian Constitution governs the appointment, tenure, and conditions related to Union Ministers.
• Council of Ministers: It consists of the Prime Minister and other ministers, including Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
• Role of the Prime Minister: As the leader of the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister ensures its alignment with government policies and can recommend changes to its composition.
• President's Role: While the President formally appoints and dismisses Union Ministers, these actions are based solely on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• Constitutional Framework: The interplay between the Prime Minister and President underscores the parliamentary nature of the Indian government, where executive powers are exercised on the Prime Minister's advice.