The Cabinet holds a pivotal position in the working of the Indian Parliamentary Government. In this context discuss the following

(a) The formation of the Cabinet.

(b) Any two administrative powers of the Cabinet.

(c) Any two legislative powers of the Cabinet.

(a) The Cabinet consists of a small but important body of senior members of the Council of Ministers. Its members hold the most important portfolios allocated by the Prime Minister and decide crucial policies of the government.

(b) Two administrative powers of the Cabinet are:

1. The cabinet is the policy framing organ of the government. It thus frames governmental policies, both external and domestic.
2. Decisions on issues like defence and internal security, economic policy, industrial policy, imports and trade, peacekeeping requirements, electoral reforms, etc. are taken by the cabinet.

(c) Two legislative powers of the Cabinet are:

1. Introduction of Bills — The cabinet initiates, formulates and presents the Bills in the Parliament for approval. The Parliament only discusses and scrutinises it.
2. Policy making — The responsibility of deciding policy matters rests entirely with the Cabinet Ministers with the Prime Minister in the chair. They decide and frame policies regarding each and every branch of the Government in their meetings.