The Union Executive and Parliament
The Union Executive and Parliament
This topic gives about 2 questions and covers how the Union government is put together and how it works. The examiner is interested in who is elected by whom, what the minimum ages are, and which house holds which power, so precision on numbers pays here.
The President
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 35 years |
| Elected by | Elected members of both Houses and of State Legislative Assemblies |
| Method | Proportional representation, single transferable vote, secret ballot |
| Term | 5 years |
| Removal | Impeachment for violation of the Constitution |
The President is elected indirectly, by an electoral college — not by the people directly. Nominated members do not vote in a presidential election, and nor do members of Legislative Councils. Both exclusions are examined.
The President is the nominal or constitutional head. Real executive power rests with the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, which under Article 74 aids and advises the President.
✗ The people of India elect the President directly | ✓ An electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs elects the President indirectly
Parliament
| Item | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | House of the People | Council of States |
| Maximum strength | 550 | 250 |
| Term | 5 years | Permanent, one third retires every 2 years |
| Minimum age | 25 years | 30 years |
| Presiding officer | Speaker | Vice-President as ex officio Chairman |
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved, though a third of its members retire every two years. Each member serves a six-year term.
A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and only on the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha may keep it no longer than 14 days and can only recommend changes, which the Lok Sabha may reject. This makes the lower house decisively stronger in financial matters.
The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
- The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who calls the leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
- Ministers are appointed by the President on the Prime Minister's advice.
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha under Article 75.
- A minister who is not a member of either House must become one within six months.
Collective responsibility is the centre of the parliamentary system: if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire Council of Ministers resigns, not only the minister concerned. The Vice-President, elected by members of both Houses, chairs the Rajya Sabha.
राष्ट्रपति नाममात्र प्रमुख हैं; वास्तविक शक्ति मंत्रिपरिषद के पास है।
TRE pointer: Numbers decide this topic. Fix the ages 35, 30 and 25 for President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the strengths 550 and 250, and the 14-day limit on a Money Bill. Two conceptual traps recur: the President is elected indirectly, and the Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved. Remember that nominated members do not vote in the presidential election.
60-Second Recap
- The President must be 35, is elected indirectly by an electoral college, for 5 years.
- Nominated members and members of Legislative Councils do not vote in that election.
- Real executive power lies with the Council of Ministers under Article 74.
- Lok Sabha maximum 550, minimum age 25; Rajya Sabha maximum 250, minimum age 30.
- The Rajya Sabha is permanent and cannot be dissolved; a third retires every two years.
- A Money Bill starts only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha may hold it 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who exactly votes in the election of the President?
The elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, including those of Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members of Parliament and members of State Legislative Councils are excluded, which is a point often tested.
Why is the Lok Sabha stronger than the Rajya Sabha?
Because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha, and because Money Bills can be introduced only there. The Rajya Sabha may hold a Money Bill for no more than fourteen days and can only recommend changes, which may be rejected.
Can the Rajya Sabha be dissolved?
No. It is a permanent house. One third of its members retire every two years and fresh members are elected in their place, so the house itself continues without interruption. Each member holds a six-year term. Only the Lok Sabha can be dissolved.
What does collective responsibility mean in practice?
It means the Council of Ministers stands or falls together. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire Council must resign, not merely the minister whose action prompted it. Ministers are also expected to defend cabinet decisions publicly.