The
Deputy Prime Minister of India is a member of the
Union Cabinet in the
Government of India. Not technically a
constitutional office, it seldom carries any specific powers. A deputy prime minister usually also holds a key cabinet portfolio such as
home minister or
finance minister. In the
parliamentary system of government, the
prime minister is treated as the "first among equals" in the cabinet; the position of deputy prime minister is used to bring political stability and strength within a coalition government or in times of national emergency, when a proper chain of command is necessary.