Extra 15 important long questions and answers on the Chapter "Executive" of Class 11 Political Science:
1. Q: Explain the powers and functions of the President of India.
A:
The President of India is the ceremonial head of state, but his/her powers are vast.
Executive Powers
: The President is the supreme executive authority and appoints the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and other key officials like the Governors and Chief Justice of India.
Legislative Powers
: The President summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Lok Sabha. The President’s assent is required for a bill to become law.
Judicial Powers
: The President has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and commute sentences. The President appoints judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Diplomatic Powers
: The President represents India in international relations, signs treaties, and appoints diplomats.
Military Powers
: The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and can declare war or peace (on the advice of the Prime Minister).
Discretionary Powers
: In cases of a hung Parliament or no clear majority, the President has the discretion to appoint the Prime Minister.
2. Q: Describe the functions and powers of the Prime Minister of India.
A:
The Prime Minister is the chief executive authority and holds immense importance in India’s parliamentary system.
Leader of the Cabinet
: The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet, chairs meetings, and represents the government in Parliament.
Formulating Government Policies
: The Prime Minister plays a key role in policy formation and oversees the functioning of various ministries.
Adviser to the President
: The Prime Minister advises the President on decisions regarding the formation of the government and the appointment of key officials.
Leader of the Lok Sabha
: The Prime Minister is the head of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and ensures that legislative work is carried out effectively.
Handling Foreign Affairs
: The Prime Minister plays a central role in foreign policy decisions and international diplomacy.
Crisis Management
: The Prime Minister is responsible for managing national emergencies, such as natural disasters and other crises.
3. Q: What is the role of the Vice President of India?
A:
The Vice President of India has several significant roles and functions.
Ex-Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
: The Vice President is the head of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its meetings.
Conducting Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha
: The Vice President ensures that parliamentary proceedings are conducted smoothly and without disruption.
Succession to the President
: In case of the President’s death, resignation, or incapacity, the Vice President serves as the Acting President.
Role in the Presidential Election
: The Vice President is involved in the election process for the President of India.
Functions of the President
: If the President is absent or incapacitated, the Vice President can perform the President’s duties temporarily.
Adviser to the President
: The Vice President can offer advice to the President on matters relating to Parliament.
4. Q: Discuss the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister.
A:
The President and the Prime Minister have a crucial and intertwined relationship in India’s parliamentary system.
Constitutional Role
: The President is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the actual head of the government.
Appointment of Prime Minister
: The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is typically the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
Advisory Role
: The Prime Minister advises the President on all matters of governance and policy decisions.
Powers and Functions
: The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, and the Prime Minister leads the executive branch of the government.
Cabinet Responsibility
: The Prime Minister is responsible for managing the Cabinet and ensuring that the President’s decisions are implemented.
Checks and Balances
: While the President holds formal powers, the actual power lies with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet in day-to-day administration.
5. Q: What is the significance of the President’s role in Parliament?
A:
The President has several important functions in the Parliament of India.
Summoning and Proroguing Parliament
: The President summons and prorogues both Houses of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Assent to Bills
: The President’s assent is required for a bill to become a law. The President can either approve, withhold, or return a bill for reconsideration.
Addressing the Nation
: The President addresses the joint session of Parliament, particularly on important occasions like the first session after elections.
Appointing Members
: The President appoints members to various parliamentary committees and key positions, including the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Discretionary Powers
: In special situations, the President can exercise discretionary powers, especially when there is a lack of majority in Parliament.
6. Q: Explain the power of the President to issue ordinances.
A:
The President of India has the power to promulgate ordinances under certain circumstances.
Provisional Law
: Ordinances are temporary laws that the President can issue when Parliament is not in session, but they must be approved by Parliament within six weeks.
Crisis Management
: The President can issue ordinances when immediate action is required to address urgent matters.
Executive Powers
: Ordinances are issued in the exercise of the President's executive powers.
Re-examination by Parliament
: An ordinance becomes law only if Parliament approves it, otherwise, it ceases to operate.
Controversial Usage
: While ordinances allow the President to act quickly, they have often been criticized for bypassing the legislative process.
7. Q: How is the President of India elected?
A:
The President of India is elected indirectly through an Electoral College system.
Electoral College
: The Electoral College consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories.
Proportional Representation
: The election is based on proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
Voting System
: Each member of the Electoral College votes for the President using a secret ballot.
Quorum
: A candidate must receive more than 50% of the total votes in the Electoral College to win.
Election Process
: The Election Commission conducts the election and announces the results.
8. Q: What is the importance of the Council of Ministers in India?
A:
The Council of Ministers plays a central role in the executive branch of India’s government.
Advisory Role
: The Council of Ministers advises the President on government decisions and policies.
Decision-Making Body
: It is the main decision-making body in the executive system.
Cabinet Responsibility
: The Council of Ministers, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, is responsible for formulating and implementing laws.
Policy Formulation
: The Council is responsible for planning and framing national policies.
Collective Responsibility
: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning they must resign if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence.
9. Q: What are the types of Ministers in the Union Cabinet?
A:
The Union Cabinet consists of three types of ministers.
Cabinet Ministers
: These are the senior most ministers who head major ministries and are part of the Cabinet.
Ministers of State
: These ministers are appointed to assist the Cabinet Ministers and may be given additional responsibilities.
Deputy Ministers
: These are junior ministers who assist senior ministers in the administration of government departments.
10. Q: What is the role of the President in foreign policy?
A:
The President plays an important role in India’s foreign policy.
Representation
: The President represents India in diplomatic relations with other countries.
Appointing Diplomats
: The President appoints ambassadors and diplomats to represent India abroad.
Treaty Ratification
: The President signs treaties and agreements made with other countries, subject to approval by Parliament.
Visiting Foreign Countries
: The President visits other nations to strengthen bilateral ties and represent Indian interests internationally.
11. Q: How can the President of India be removed from office?
A:
The President of India can be removed through the process of impeachment.
Impeachment Process
: A motion for impeachment must be initiated in either House of Parliament.
Approval
: The motion must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both Houses.
Grounds for Impeachment
: The President can be impeached for violation of the Constitution of India.
Final Decision
: If the motion is passed, the President is removed from office.
12. Q: Discuss the judicial powers of the President of India.
A:
The President of India exercises judicial powers in several ways.
Appointments
: The President appoints judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Pardoning Power
: The President has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations, particularly in cases involving death sentences.
Judicial Review
: The President can review and intervene in judicial matters, especially when it involves constitutional issues.
Removal of Judges
: The President can remove judges upon recommendation from the Parliament after an impeachment process.
13. Q: What is the role of the Prime Minister in the appointment of judges?
A:
The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the judicial appointment process.
Advisory Role
: The Prime Minister advises the President on judicial appointments.
Consultation with Chief Justice
: The Prime Minister, along with the President, consults the Chief Justice of India for appointments to the higher judiciary.
Recommendation
: The Prime Minister is responsible for ensuring that judicial appointments are made based on merit and national needs.
Judicial Independence
: While the Prime Minister advises, the process respects the independence of the judiciary.
14. Q: What are the executive powers of the President under the Indian Constitution?
A:
The executive powers of the President include a range of functions.
Appointments
: The President appoints key officials such as the Prime Minister, Governors, and judges.
Running the Executive
: The President oversees the functioning of the executive branch and ensures laws are executed.
Military Powers
: The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and can declare war and peace.
Ordinance Power
: The President can issue ordinances to meet urgent situations when Parliament is not in session.
15. Q: Explain the significance of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
A:
The concept of collective responsibility means that the entire Council of Ministers is accountable to the Lok Sabha.
Accountability
: If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence, the entire Council, including the Prime Minister, must resign.
Unified Decision-Making
: All decisions made by the Council are considered collective, and no minister can act independently.
Political Stability
: This system ensures that the government remains stable and functions cohesively.
Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy
: It strengthens the democratic principle that the government must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
