The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment

1. Article 75(5) of the Constitution of India states that a Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is also a Minister. Therefore, the same rule applies to the Prime Minister. 3. This implies that a person can be appointed as Prime Minister even if he/she is not a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha at the time of appointment. 4. However, if appointed without being a member, he/she must become a member of one of the Houses (either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) within six months of the appointment to continue in office. 5. Option (A) accurately reflects this constitutional provision. 6. Option (B) is incorrect because the person can become a member of either House, not necessarily the Lok Sabha. 7. Options (C) and (D) are incorrect because membership is not mandatory at the exact time of appointment, but within the subsequent six months.