Under the Constitution of India, the President can dismiss a member of the Council of Ministers under which specific condition?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your understanding of how the parliamentary system works in India, especially the relationship between the President and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. In a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model, the real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, and the head of state acts largely on their advice. Knowing who can be dismissed and on whose recommendation is a core part of Indian polity and is frequently tested in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• India follows a parliamentary form of government at the union level.
• The President is the constitutional head of the state.
• The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.
• The question is about dismissal of an individual minister from the Council of Ministers.

Concept / Approach:
Under Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution of India, the President appoints the Prime Minister and, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints other ministers. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Since ministers hold office at the pleasure of the President, a member of the Council of Ministers can be removed by the President. However this pleasure is not personal or arbitrary; it is exercised on the aid and advice of the Prime Minister. Therefore if the Prime Minister advises that a particular minister should be removed, the President is constitutionally obliged to dismiss that minister.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ministers are formally appointed by the President but in practice selected by the Prime Minister.Step 2: Remember that ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, which in a parliamentary system means pleasure exercised according to ministerial advice.Step 3: Understand that individual ministers can be asked to resign or can be removed if the Prime Minister loses confidence in them.Step 4: Connect this with the principle that the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.Step 5: Conclude that the President dismisses a minister when the Prime Minister so recommends.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative check, imagine a situation where the President attempts to dismiss a minister without consulting or against the wishes of the Prime Minister. This would destabilize the principle of collective responsibility and undermine the authority of the Prime Minister as head of the government. Constitutional conventions and judicial pronouncements make it clear that the President is bound by advice in such matters. Textbooks on Indian polity consistently state that dismissal of individual ministers is effectively controlled by the Prime Minister, confirming the correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The consent of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not required for appointment or dismissal of ministers, so that option is incorrect. The power to dismiss a minister is not restricted only to emergency conditions; ministers can be reshuffled or removed at any time as part of normal politics. The idea that the President may dismiss a minister purely on personal discretion contradicts the core principle that the President acts on ministerial advice, so that option is also wrong. Therefore only the option mentioning recommendation or advice of the Prime Minister correctly reflects constitutional practice.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners wrongly assume that the phrase pleasure of the President means complete personal freedom for the President. In a parliamentary democracy, this pleasure is ultimately controlled by the majority in the Lok Sabha through the Prime Minister. Another common pitfall is confusing emergency powers with regular executive powers. Even during normal times, ministers can be removed, and emergency is not a precondition. Keeping these distinctions clear will help you tackle several polity questions correctly in exams.

Final Answer:
The President of India dismisses a member of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation or advice of the Prime Minister.