Chapter 3: The Union Executive

Ans: In India, the executive power is vested with the President.

Ans: The tenure of the President is of five years.

Ans: The Council of Ministers is led by the Prime Minister.

Ans: Executive

Ans: Zero Hour

1. The responsibility of protecting the Constitution rests with the President.
2. If any act of the President violates the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to remove the President.
3. This process is known as impeachment.
4. The procedure for impeachment is as follows:
   1. Either House can bring the charge of violating the Constitution.
   2. The other House investigates the charge.
   3. If the resolution is passed by a special majority (two-thirds) of both Houses, the President can be removed from office.

1. In the parliamentary system of government, the Legislature tries to keep control over the Executive.
2. The Executive stays in power only as long as it enjoys the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
3. The members of the Lok Sabha can move a no-confidence motion by simply stating, “We do not have confidence in the government.”
4. If the motion is passed with majority support, the Council of Ministers (the Executive) has to resign.
5. Thus, this is the most effective way to keep a check on the Council of Ministers.

1. An unnecessarily large Council of Ministers, with more ministers than required, is called a Jumbo Ministry.
2. There was a trend in our country of keeping a large Council of Ministers.
3. Later, a constitutional amendment was made to limit the size of the Council of Ministers.
4. As per this amendment, the number of ministers in the Council should not be more than 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

Ans: The functions of the Council of Ministers are as follows:

1. It takes the initiative in the law-making process by drafting bills or proposals.
2. It introduces and discusses the bills and proposals in the House.
3. It introduces bills on various subjects such as education, agriculture, industry, health and foreign relations in Parliament, holds discussions on them, and tries to get them approved by Parliament.
4. It also takes on the responsibility of implementing the policies approved by Parliament.

Ans: Parliament keeps a check on the Executive in the following ways:

1. The bills and proposals presented by the Council of Ministers are discussed in Parliament.
2. These discussions and debates help members scrutinise the bills or proposals, point out their shortcomings, and help create healthy laws.
3. During parliamentary sessions, the proceedings of the House begin with questions asked by members. The concerned ministers are expected to give satisfactory answers to these questions.
4. During parliamentary sessions, the period around noon is called ‘Zero Hour’. During this period, any question of public importance can be raised and discussed.
5. Parliament can pass a no-confidence motion against the Executive. If the motion is passed with majority support, the Executive has to resign.

Ans: The President of India:

1. summons and prorogues the sessions of Parliament;
2. declares an emergency during a crisis;
3. signs the Bills approved by Parliament;
4. appoints the Governors and the Chief Election Commissioner;
5. appoints the Judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court;
6. appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers;
7. dissolves the Lok Sabha before its tenure is over;
8. appoints the Chiefs of the Defence Forces.