Extra 15 important long questions and answers from the Chapter "Executive in India" for Class 11 Political Science:
1. Q: Discuss the powers and functions of the President of India.
A:
Executive Powers:
The President appoints the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Governors, and other officials.
Legislative Powers:
The President can summon or prorogue the sessions of Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha. They give assent to bills, making them laws.
Judicial Powers:
The President has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and commutations, especially in death sentence cases.
Diplomatic Powers:
The President represents India in foreign relations and signs treaties and agreements.
Military Powers:
The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces. However, military decisions are taken on the advice of the Cabinet.
Discretionary Powers:
In certain situations, such as a hung Parliament, the President exercises discretionary powers, like appointing the Prime Minister.
2. Q: Explain the role and powers of the Prime Minister of India.
A:
Head of Government:
The Prime Minister is the head of the government, overseeing the functioning of the Cabinet and policymaking.
Leader of the Cabinet:
The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers and coordinates their activities.
Advisor to the President:
The Prime Minister is the chief advisor to the President and communicates decisions of the Cabinet to the President.
Policy Formulation:
The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in formulating government policies and their implementation.
Control over the Executive:
The Prime Minister has significant control over the functioning of the executive and ensures its effective functioning.
International Role:
The Prime Minister represents India in international matters, handles foreign policy, and builds diplomatic relationships.
3. Q: What is the position of the Vice-President of India? Explain his powers and functions.
A:
Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha:
The Vice-President of India is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and ensures the smooth conduct of its proceedings.
Presiding Officer:
He/She
maintains order and discipline during the sessions of the Rajya Sabha and can take disciplinary actions.
Succession to Presidency:
In case of the President’s death, resignation, or incapacitation, the Vice-President assumes the role of the President.
Casting Vote:
The Vice-President casts a deciding vote in case of a tie in the Rajya Sabha.
Acting President:
The Vice-President assumes the role of acting President in the absence of the President.
Ceremonial Role:
The Vice-President represents India at various ceremonial occasions and official functions.
4. Q: Discuss the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister of India.
A:
Constitutional Framework:
The President is the formal head of the state, while the Prime Minister is the head of the government.
Executive Power:
The President's executive powers are exercised based on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
Decision-Making:
The Prime Minister leads the government and makes decisions regarding policies and administration, while the President acts as a ceremonial figure.
Appointments:
The President appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers, but these appointments are based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Responsibility:
The Prime Minister is responsible for the functioning of the Cabinet and is accountable to Parliament, whereas the President’s role is largely ceremonial.
National Emergency:
The President can declare a national emergency, but the decision is made based on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
5. Q: Explain the role of the Council of Ministers in India.
A:
Executive Body:
The Council of Ministers is the principal executive body in India, headed by the Prime Minister.
Policy Formulation:
It formulates policies and makes decisions regarding the administration of the country.
Collective Responsibility:
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha for its actions.
Advising the President:
The Council of Ministers advises the President in the exercise of their executive powers.
Cabinet Committees:
The Council operates through various Cabinet Committees, which handle specific areas of governance.
Formation of Government:
The Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers are appointed based on the party’s strength in Parliament, ensuring effective governance.
6. Q: Discuss the powers and functions of the Vice-President of India.
A:
Chairman of Rajya Sabha:
The Vice-President is the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha and ensures that its proceedings are conducted smoothly.
Casting Vote:
In case of a tie in the Rajya Sabha, the Vice-President can cast a casting vote to break the tie.
Succession to President:
In the event of the President's incapacity, the Vice-President assumes the office of the President until a new one is elected.
Acting President:
If the President is absent from India or incapable of performing duties, the Vice-President acts as the President.
Ceremonial Functions:
The Vice-President represents India at various international forums and ceremonial events.
Role in Disputes:
The Vice-President resolves disputes and ensures the orderly functioning of the Rajya Sabha.
7. Q: What are the powers of the President in case of a national emergency?
A:
Declaration of Emergency:
The President can declare a national emergency in cases of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
Control over Central Government:
The President can assume full control over the administration of the central government during an emergency.
Suspension of Fundamental Rights:
The President can suspend certain fundamental rights during a national emergency.
Power to Extend the Emergency:
The President can extend the emergency for up to three years, with the approval of Parliament.
Impact on States:
The President can also assume executive powers in the states and modify the provisions of the Constitution to suit the emergency.
Directive Role:
The President can issue directives to states and Union territories to follow certain policies and actions.
8. Q: Discuss the concept of the “Collective Responsibility” of the Cabinet in India.
A:
Cabinet Responsibility:
The entire Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha for its decisions and actions.
Resignation after Defeat:
If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence against the Cabinet, all ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign.
Unified Decisions:
The Cabinet must work together in formulating policies and decisions, with no individual minister taking independent actions.
Political Accountability:
Collective responsibility ensures that the Cabinet is accountable to the Parliament and the people of India.
Parliamentary System:
This principle reflects the parliamentary system of government, where the executive is derived from the legislature.
Coordinated Governance:
The Cabinet’s collective responsibility ensures coordinated governance and smooth functioning of the government.
9. Q: What are the judicial powers of the President of India?
A:
Power of Pardon:
The President can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and commutations, especially in death sentence cases.
Granting Clemency:
The President can grant clemency to individuals convicted by the courts.
Appointing Judges:
The President appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Removal of Judges:
The President can remove judges after the process of impeachment by Parliament.
Power to Review:
The President can review the decisions of the courts and recommend action.
Judicial Independence:
The President respects the independence of the judiciary while exercising judicial powers.
10. Q: How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
A:
Leader of the Majority Party:
The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party that secures a majority in the Lok Sabha.
Appointment by the President:
The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is expected to command the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
No Fixed Procedure:
There is no fixed procedure for the appointment, as the President has the discretion to appoint the Prime Minister in certain situations.
Majority Support:
The Prime Minister must have the support of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha to remain in office.
Cabinet Formation:
The Prime Minister appoints other ministers and forms the Cabinet based on their party’s strength and the political situation.
Securing Confidence:
The Prime Minister must prove the support of the Lok Sabha through a confidence motion.
11. Q: What are the executive functions of the President of India?
A:
Appointments:
The President appoints the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, Governors, and other key officials.
Military Command:
The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces of India.
Appointment of Governors:
The President appoints the Governors of states and
oversees
their functioning.
Power of Ordinance:
The President can issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
International Relations:
The President represents India in foreign relations and signs treaties and agreements.
Appointments in Judiciary:
The President appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
12. Q: Explain the concept of "Discretionary Powers" of the President.
A:
Appointment of Prime Minister:
In case of a hung Parliament, the President may use discretionary powers to appoint the Prime Minister.
Dissolution of Lok Sabha:
The President has the discretion to dissolve the Lok Sabha if no party has the majority and no clear government can be formed.
Power in National Emergency:
The President has the power to declare a national emergency when there is war or rebellion.
Reservation of Bills:
The President can reserve certain bills for consideration by the state legislatures.
Promotion of Policy Changes:
The President may use discretionary powers to address serious national issues.
Rational Decision-Making:
Discretionary powers are used to uphold the Constitution and safeguard democracy.
13. Q: Discuss the legislative powers of the President of India.
A:
Summoning and Proroguing Sessions:
The President summons and prorogues the sessions of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Assent to Bills:
The President gives assent to bills passed by Parliament, making them laws.
Power to Return Bills:
The President can return a bill (except a money bill) for reconsideration by Parliament.
Addressing the Nation:
The President addresses both Houses of Parliament at the beginning of the first session each year.
Ordinance Power:
The President can promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament.
Joint Sessions:
The President can summon a joint session of both Houses of Parliament to resolve a deadlock on a bill.
14. Q: What are the military powers of the President of India?
A:
Supreme Commander of Armed Forces:
The President is the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces.
Power to Declare War:
The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, declares war and peace.
Appointing Chiefs of Armed Forces:
The President appoints the Chief of Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Military Decisions:
The President takes military decisions based on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Control during War:
During a war, the President exercises extensive powers related to
defence
and security.
Role in National Security:
The President ensures the maintenance of national security and strategic
defence
initiatives.
15. Q: What is the role of the President in the federal system of India?
A:
Appointment of Governors:
The President appoints the Governors of states, ensuring federal coordination.
Discretion in Disputes:
The President resolves disputes between the Union and states using discretionary powers.
Power to Form New States:
The President can form new states or alter existing state boundaries on the advice of Parliament.
Power to Direct States:
The President can issue directives to states under Article 256 to ensure the implementation of Union laws.
Emergency Powers:
In case of failure of the state government, the President can assume direct control of the state through President’s Rule.
Promoting Federal Harmony:
The President acts as a link between the Union and the states, promoting federal cooperation.
