Question 1: Choose the appropriate option.
a) ______ is a qualifying criterion to become the President of India.
- i) Being a member of Rajya Sabha
- ii) must be qualified to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
- iii) Clearing the civil service examination
- iv) Graduating college with flying colours
- Answer: ii) must be qualified to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
b) The Union Public Service Commission is located in ______.
- i) New Delhi
- ii) Kolkata
- iii) Mumbai
- iv) Chennai
- Answer: i) New Delhi
c) Presidential election involves proportional representation of ______.
- i) All the states of India
- ii) National Capital Territory of Delhi
- iii) Union Territory of Puducherry
- iv) All of the above
- Answer: iv) All of the above
Question 2: Name the following.
a) The Article of the Indian Constitution which lays out the powers and functions of the Vice-President.
- Answer: Article 63
b) The Commander-in-Chief of the Indian armed forces.
- Answer: The President of India
c) The Supervisor of Cabinet meetings.
- Answer: The Prime Minister
d) Permanent executive branch of India.
- Answer: The Civil Services (or Bureaucracy)
Question 3: Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words.
a) What is impeachment?
Answer: Impeachment is the formal constitutional process for removing a high-ranking official, like the President of India, from office for violating the Constitution. It is not a criminal trial but a quasi-judicial proceeding in Parliament. The process requires a special majority in both houses, ensuring that such a serious action has widespread political support and is not undertaken lightly.
b) When can the President declare an emergency in an Indian state?
Answer: The President can declare a state emergency (President’s Rule) under Article 356 when the state government cannot function according to constitutional provisions. This typically happens if there is a complete breakdown of law and order or if no party can form a stable government. Such a proclamation must be approved by Parliament and lasts for six months, extendable up to three years.
c) Write in brief about the tenure of the Vice-President.
Answer: The Vice-President of India holds office for a term of five years from the date they assume their role. However, they can continue in office beyond this term until their successor enters the role. There is no bar on the number of times a person can be re-elected to the post of Vice-President of the country.
d) Who are Deputy Ministers?
Answer: Deputy Ministers are the most junior ministers in the Union Council of Ministers. They are not part of the Cabinet and do not head any ministry independently. Their primary role is to assist Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State in their administrative, legislative, and parliamentary duties, helping with the day-to-day functioning of their respective departments.
e) How is the President of India elected?
Answer: The President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College, not by the general public. This college consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of all the State Legislative Assemblies. The election follows a system of proportional representation to ensure a balance between the votes of the central and state legislators.
f) What are the constituents of the Indian Civil Services at the central level?
Answer: The Indian Civil Services at the central level consist of two main groups. The first is the All India Services (like IAS and IPS), whose officers can be deployed in both state and central governments. The second group comprises the Central Civil Services (like IFS and IRS), which function exclusively under the authority of the Government of India in various departments.
Question 4: Answer the questions in 50 to 70 words.
a) Write about the legislative powers of the President.
The President of India holds significant legislative powers. They summon and prorogue sessions of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha. No bill becomes law without the President’s assent. They also have the power to issue Ordinances when Parliament is not in session, which have the same force as a law. Furthermore, the President addresses both Houses at the start of the first session each year, outlining the government’s policies and programmes.
b) How can the President be removed from office?
The President can be removed from office through a process of impeachment for ‘violation of the Constitution’. The process begins in either house of Parliament. A charge must be signed by one-quarter of the house’s members. A 14-day notice is given. If the house passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority, it is then sent to the other house. The President is impearded only if the second house also investigates the charges and passes it with a two-thirds majority.
c) What are the qualifications required to be the Vice-President of India?
To be eligible for the position of Vice-President of India, a candidate must meet specific criteria. They must be a citizen of India and have completed 35 years of age. They must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of Parliament). Additionally, they should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any state government to ensure independence and avoid conflicts of interest in their role.
d) What are the power and functions of the Prime Minister?
The Prime Minister of India holds a pivotal position with extensive powers and functions. As the head of the government, they lead the Council of Ministers, allocating portfolios and can recommend their dismissal to the President. They are the chief advisor to the President and chair the cabinet meetings, steering national policy. The PM plays a key role in making major appointments and is the chief spokesperson of the government, shaping both domestic and foreign policy.
e) Write a brief note on the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is the supreme executive authority of the Union government. It is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning the entire council must resign if it loses the confidence of the house. The council is composed of three categories: Cabinet Ministers (who head major departments), Ministers of State (who may hold independent charge or assist Cabinet Ministers), and Deputy Ministers (who assist senior ministers). They are tasked with formulating and implementing government policies.
f) What do you know about the Indian civil services?
The Indian Civil Services form the permanent, non-political executive branch that implements government policies and ensures the day-to-day administration of the country. It is divided into All India Services (like the Indian Administrative Service-IAS and Indian Police Service-IPS), which serve both the central and state governments, and Central Services (like the Indian Foreign Service-IFS), which serve only the central government. Recruitment is done through competitive exams conducted by the UPSC, ensuring a merit-based, professional, and impartial administrative system.
g) What are the military powers of the President of India?
As the formal Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President of India holds significant military powers. All important appointments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are made in the President’s name. The President has the power to declare war or conclude peace, but these powers are exercised only on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers. This structure ensures that the military remains under the ultimate control of the civilian political leadership.
h) What are the qualifying criteria of the Prime Minister of India?
The Constitution of India specifies that to become the Prime Minister, a person must be a citizen of India. They must be a member of either house of Parliament, or if not, they must become one within six months of their appointment. The candidate must also be above 30 years of age if seeking membership in the Lok Sabha, or above 30 for the Rajya Sabha. There is no specific educational qualification required for the post.
Question 5: If the position of the Prime minister is replaced with that of the President, how effective do you think it would be?
Replacing the Prime Minister’s position with a powerful, executive President (like in the USA) would be a fundamental shift to a presidential system. Its effectiveness is debatable. Proponents argue it could lead to more stable governments, free from the instability of coalition politics. However, it would be less suited for India’s immense diversity. A presidential system could centralize power and marginalize regional parties, potentially leading to alienation. The current parliamentary system, with a ceremonial President and an executive PM accountable to the Lok Sabha, forces consensus-building and better represents India’s multi-party, multi-cultural fabric, making it more effective for national integration.