Transition to the 18th Lok Sabha: Constitutional Provisions and the Role of a Caretaker Government

Following the conclusion of the 2024 General Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to tender his resignation along with the Union Council of Ministers. The President accepted the resignation and requested the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers to continue in office until the new Government is sworn in. This formal procedure marks the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha and the commencement of the transition to the 18th Lok Sabha. In the Indian parliamentary system, the transition of power is governed by specific constitutional provisions and conventions. Article 74(1) of the Constitution mandates that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President. Article 75 further specifies that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and other Ministers shall be appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. The resignation of the Prime Minister automatically implies the resignation of the entire Council of Ministers, as the Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.