History of Ministers of India

Provisions under constitution

• Article 74 - There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
• Before 91st constitutional amendment act 2003, the Prime Minister had the discretion to appoint any number in his council of ministers.
• But the 91st Constitution Amendment Act, 2003 made a drastic change in curbing such power of the Prime Minister.
• This Amendment added clause (1A) in this Article which made a specific provision that, the total number of Ministers, including Prime Minister, in no case, can exceed 15 percent of the total number of Lok Sabha members.

Interesting Facts about Ministers of India

• First Prime Minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru
• First President of India - Dr Rajendra Prasad
• First Deputy Prime Minister of India - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• First Home Minister of India - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• First Education Minister of India - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
• First Defence Minister of India - Baldev Singh
• First External Affairs Minister of India - Jawaharlal Nehru
• First Finance Minister of India - R. K. Shanmukham Chetty