The Deputy Prime Minister of India (IAST: "Bhārat kē Uppradhānamantrī") is the deputy head of the Government of India. It is the second highest ranking member of the Union Council of Ministers. A deputy prime minister usually also holds a cabinet portfolio such as the home minister, defence 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.