ADpointment of a Prime Minister in case of sudden death of the incumbent

and

Dissolution of Lok Sabha

áitl
e r g e n c y Powers: He can declare an Emergency if there is a threat to thhe
E
eecurity of India or any part or if there is a failure of constitutional machanery

in
State o r if there is a financial c r i s i s
a

Dowers and Functions of the Vice-President

l He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
removal of the
t H e ofñciates as President in case
of death. resignation or

President till a new President is elected.

When the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence

functions
llness or any other r e a s o n . the Vice-President discharges his
and immunities of
During such period, he is entitled to all the powers
the President.

ASSESSMENTT
Section A
Answer Questions
Very Short
be answered briefiy and to the point.
one mark questions which have to
se arg
India?
A. who is the Head of State in the Union of

of India.
Ans. The President
the President?
2. Who administers oath of office to

Justice of India.
Ans Chief
President of India?
3What is the term of office of the
Ans. Five years.
President addresses both the Houses of
Mention the occasion when
Parliament assembled together.
each General Election to Lok Sabha and the
Ans. At the first session after
session of each year.
commencement of the first

When c a n ordinances be issued by the President?

not in session.
Ans. When both the Houses of Parliament are

6. By whom and on whose advice are the Union Ministers appointed?

Ans. By the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

. In whom does the Constitution vest the supreme command of the Indian

Defence forces?
the President and the Vice-Prestdent
 Ans. The President of India.
3Mention three types of Emergencies, which the Constitution provides.

Ans. i) National Emergency: (i) Emergency due to breakdown of Constitution

ional
Machinery in a State; and (ii) Financial Emergency.
W h a t is the normal term of offce of the Vice-President?

Ans. Five years.

10. How long can the Vice-President continue to hold offce even after tha
the
expiry of his term?
Ans. Until his successor takes over as Vice-President.

T o whom does the President send his resignation?

Ans. Vice-President of India.

12
B y what majority is an impeachment resolution passed?
Ans. Two-thirds of the total membership of the House.
13. Who the members of the Electoral
are
College for electing the President
of India?
Ans. The elected Members of Parliament
(MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies
(MLAs) of States.
14Who receives the foreign diplomatic envoys in India?
Ans. The President of India.

15. Who summons the joint sessions of the Parliament?

Ans. The President of India.

16. hat is an Ordinance? Give

sbould be, hE tn S
e mpoLa T a s d
limitatipn
one of an ordinance.
by presi daot whes paiLwunao t bot 2007.
ICSE
Ans. An Ordinante is å law 505 0
promulgated 'by the Executive (President or Governor)
when the legislature (Union Parliament or State Legislature) is not in session
and the enactment of law is
urgerntly required.
Limitation: (any of the following) The Ordinance
one
lapses if:
(i) it is not approved by the Parliament when it re-assembles;
(ii) it is
replaced by an Act of Parliament; and
(ii) automatically ceases to operate at the end of six weeks from the date the
Paiament re-assembles.
17 When can the President issue an Ordinance?
Ans. The President can issue an Ordinance when
(il both the Houses of Parliament are not in session.
198 Beeta Study Aid in History & Civics-X
 hn the President 1s satished that circumstances
immediate action. require hum to take

t e the reason why the President cannot dissolve the Rajya Sabha.

President cannot dissolve the Rajya Sabha because it is a permanent house

Ans
19. ho settles the disputes arising in connection with the election of the
President of India? ICSE 201
The Supreme Court.
Ans.
0. How many members can the President nominate to the Lok Sabha and to
20
the Rajya Sabha?

Lok Sabha - 0 2 : Rajya Sabha- 12.

Ans.

21. On whose recommendation can the Money Bills be introduced in the Lok
Sabha?

Ans. President of India.

President from
22.hat is the term used for the process of removal of the
office?

Ans. impeachment.
the President when a Bill is sent to him?
23. What are the options for

Ans. ( He may give his assent

Withhold the Bill.

(1
concerned with recommendations
12 Send it back to the House

24. What is meant by Budget'?

Union
estimate of the income and expenditure of the
Ans. The Budget is an
financial year
Governmentfor the coming

Commission of India?
the Finance
25.
Wbo appoints
Ans. The President of India
Vice-President send his resignation?
does the
26. Towhom
Ans. The President of India
Vice-President?
of India gets as the
Vice-President
27. How much salary does the
He gets his salary
in
the Vice-President.
Vice-President gets no salary as
8. The Sabha
Chairman of the Rajya
the capacity of the Vice-President
Electoral College for electing the
a r e the
members of the
48.
ho
ofIndia?
Parliament.
Ar Houses of
The Members of both

The President and the VicePresident

 29.ho conducts the business in the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the
Chairman?
Ans. Depuy Chairman.

3QWho elect the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

Ans. The members of the
Rajya Sabha.
Short Answer Questions
These are two marks answered briefly
questions which have to be and to the point.
. Mention the qualifications necessary for election as President of India.
Ans. For
this answer, refer to Summary.
29n whose advice does the President exercise his powers?
Ans. The President exercises his on the advice of the Prime Minister and the
powers
Counciof Ministers.
3 State the composition of Union Ezecutive.
Ans. The Union Executive consists of the
President, the Vice-President, the Prime
Minister and the Council of Ministers.
4.
Ho is the President of India elected?
Ans. The President of India is elected
indirectly by the members of an Electoral College
consisting of:
(i) the elected members of both the Houses of
Parliament;
(i) the elected members of the
Legislative Assemblies of the States including
National Capital Territory of Delhi and
the Union
5.
Territory of Pondicherry.
Mention two reasons for
adopting the indirect method of election for the
President.
ICSE 2013, 2009
Ans. Foiís answer, refer to Structured Questions, Q.1/b).
6ho administers the Union
Territory? How does he administer it?
Ans. The Union Territory is administered by the President through
appointe by him. an administrator,
7. Ho can the President vacate his office?P
AnsThe President can vacate his office
by
President. submitting his resignation to the
ViCe
8. What are the powers of the
Armed Forces? President as the supreme commander of the

Or
Mention two miuitary powers of the President of India. |ICSE 20007
Ans. For this answer, rejer to
Summary.
200 Beeta Study Aid in History & Ctuics.X
 t h e two
types of Bills that
9ntroduction in the Parliament. require President's prior approval before
9 M e n t i o n

ns. :1ls that require President's

The Bills
A n s

Parliament a r e :
prior approval before introduction in the

i) Money Bil.
Bill for the formation of new States or alteration of boundaries of
States. existing
when can the
national and financial
10. emergency be declared? |ICSE 2005
National emergency is declared when the
Ans. security of the country is threatened
by war, external aggression or armed rebellion.

Financial emergency is declared when the financial or credit stability of the

country is threatened.

11, How has the power of Parliament to declare an emergency been subjected
to the control of Parliament?
Ans. The Parliament has to approve all proclamations of Emergency and if the
Parliament does not approve them, they become null and void.

12. what grounds can the President of India be removed from ofmce?
Ans. The President of India can be removed from office on the grounds of violation
of the Constitution of India.

13What is an Ordinance'? When can it be passedP ICSE 2014

Ans. For this answer, refer to Very Short Answer Questions, Q.No. 16.

An Ordinance may be issued:

(1) to enforce the provisions of a Bill pending before a House;

2) to enforce the provisions of a Bill passed by one House and not yet passed

by the other House; and

11) an entirely urgent matter to be replaced subsequently by a Bil.

measures?
y are the Ordinances considered temporary
they to
Ans.
Ordinances are considered as temporary measures because cease

of Parliament or earlier
expiry of six weeks
operate at the from the reassembly
disapproved by the two Houses of Parliament.
President.
e n t i o n three legislative powers of the
Ans. For this to Summary.
answer, refer
16. Mention of the President.
ention any three executive powers
Ans. For this refer to Summary
answer,
he
President and the Vice-President 20
 3. With reference to the Vice-President of India, state:

(a) Qual1fications for Election

(b} Manner of his election.

(c) Functions of Vice -President

Ans. (a) Qualifications for Election

For this ansuer, refer to Summary
(b) Manner of Election of Vice-President
The Vice President is elected by the members of both the Houses of Parlisere
in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means
of ingie
transferable vote. In this election, the State egislatures do not have
any rgje tr

play
(c) Functions of Vice-President
For this answer,
refer to Summary.
Practice Questions
Short Aprwer Questions

Who is the Executive Head of State in India?

ICSE 2017
a t e pne reason why the President is elected indirectly.
ICSE 2013
ate the composition of the Electoral College for the election of the President of
India
h o settles disputes arising in connection with the election
of President of India

ICSE 2012
Name the official
procedure by which the President can be removed. [ICSE 2016
6 hen can the President use his
Prime Minister? Discretionary power to appoint the
ICSE 2017
State any two Executive powers of the President.
8.
Statgany two military powers of the President.
Whatjs meant by the Joint session of
Parliament.
Xnder what circumstances can the President proclaim a State of Energency
the country?
11How is the power of the
President to declare
Parliament?
an emergency subject to controi ou

206 Beeta Study Atd in History & Ctuics-X

 How
is the Vice-Presidentof India elected?
Who constitute
his election?
the electoral
college for
an the Vice-PTesident cast
a vote in the
Rajya Sabha?
n can any State be placed under the (ICSE 2013
President's rule?
e n

sractured Questions

1.
President of India is a nominal and constitutional
head of the State. In
this context answer the
following questions:
ICSE 2010
Why is the President of India referred to as a nominal head of the State? State
two examples of his legislative powers that suggest his nominal status.

ib Mention the circumstances when the President

can declare a national
emergency.
(c)Explain two Discretionary Powers of the President.

2. The President of India is the Head of the Indian Republic. In this context,
answer the following questions:

a Besides being a citizen of India, state three other qualifications required by a

person to be eligible to be the President of India.
of India.
b) Mention three legislative powers of the President

the President of ndia declare an emergency in

c) Under what circumstances can

the country?
Constitutional Head of the
Indian Republic. In
3. The President of India is the
IcSE 2016)
this context answer the following questions:

a) How is the President elected?

that the President
is enpowered to
Emergencies
Mention three types of
D
proclaim. President.

four
Executive
Powers' of the
Explain briefy any

Emergency,
explain the following
National the
4. t a reference to the be declared by
can
an emergency

under
which such
circumstances
The
a
President.
an
emergency.
Duration of such
O
Effects of such an emergency.
c

0
he
te President a n d t h e Vice-President
 ASSESSMENT
Section A

Very Short Answer Questions

These a n e mark questions which have to be answered brieth and to the pount

in the Council of Ministera

Mention the categories of Ministers
SE 201
Deputy Mnisters
Ans. Cgnet Ministers, Ministers of State and
Who is the head of the Union Council of
Minister? CSE 199
Ans. The Prime Minister of India

A. By whom le the Prime Minister appointed?

Ana. py the President of India

.By whom and on whose advice ie the Couneil of Ministers appointed?

Ans. the President on the advice of the Prime Miniater

How long can a Miniater stay in ofmee?

Ans. Aplong as they havr the pirasure of the Prrsicdent
What in the time duration underhich anon member must become
member of Parliament ?

Ans. Six months

Who acts as a link between the President and the Cabinet

Ans. The Prime Minister
8. To whom are the Council of Ministers collectively responsible?
Ans. Lok Sabha

What is maximum size of the Council of Ministers at the Centre and in

States as provided by the Constitution (91st
Amendment) Act?
Ans. 15 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha at the Centre and 15 per cent od
the strength of Legislative Assemblies in States
10. What is the maximum
strength of Ministers allowed for small States?
Ans. 12

1 . To whom are the Ministers individually

Ans. The President
responsible ?
What does the resignation of the Prime Miniater imply?
Ans. The resignation of the whole Cabunet

210 Beeta Study Aid in History &Cialca

Short Answer Questions

. marks
hese a r e two
questions which have to be
answered briefly and to the
1hat is the term
office or point.
of the Prime Minister?
QS Lon
T h e Prime Minister 1s selected for
Ans.
qaS bave the Condne ICSE 2006
a (period of 5 years but he has to resign
Lofare the completion of his term if a
No-Confidence Motion is passed against
his government.

2Under what provision can a

non-member of
minister? Parliament be made a

[ICSE 1987
Ans. A non-member of Parliament can be made a minister on the condition that he
must be elected or nominated as a member of Parliament within six months of
his appointment as a Minister.
3. What is the maximum strength of the Council of Ministers at the
Centre?
Ans. According to the Constitution (91st Amendment) Act, 2003, the maximum
strength of the Council of Minister cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total strength
of the Lok Sabha.

4. Give two reasons for putting a ceiling on the size of the Council of Ministers.
Ans. A ceiling has been put on the size of the Council of Ministers for the
following
reasons:

) To check defections from one party to another.

(1i) To curb government expenditure incurred due to large size of Council of

Ministers.
5. Menttion two methods adopted by the Parliament to control the executive.

Ans. (i) By asking questions regarding the policies of the Union Government and

voting on different bills placed in the Parliament.

(i) By moving a vote of No-Confidence against the Government.

6. Under what circumstances can the President use his discretion in appointing
the Prime Minister? ICSE 2011]
Ans. The President can use his discretion in appointing the Prime Minister under the
following circumstances:
() When no single political party gets an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha
and there is a hung Parliament.

ti) In case of sudden death of the incumbent Prime Minister and the ruling
cannot meet immediately to elect a new leader.
Legislature Party
rime Minister and Council of Ministers 21
 7. How does the Prime Minister acts as a link between the Council of Ministers
rs
and the President?
Ans. The Prime Minister acts as a link between the Council of Ministers and the
the
President in the following ways:
i) He informs the President about the decision of the Council of Ministers

relating to the administration of the Union.

(i) The ministers are appointed and dismissed by the President on the advice
ce
of the Prime Minister.

8. What is meant by the 'Cabinet'? ICSE 2005

Ans. The term Cabinet' refers to the apex of the party, who are
body ofsepior Jeaders
P)jnI5tev
included in the Council of Ministers. They hold important portfolios and decide
major policies of the government.
9. What does a Minister affirm under the Oath of Office?

Ans. In the Oath of Office, a Minister swears to:

) bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India;

(i) uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India; and

ii faithfully and conscientiously discharge his duties without fear or favour,
action or ill-will.
10. What is the distinction between the 'Cabinet' and
the "Council of Ministers'?
Ans. The Cabinet' refers to the Prime Minister and a
small group of 15 to 18 Ministers
who hold important
portfolios like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs,
Railways, etc. The Council of Ministers, on the other hand, refers to all the
categories of Ministers-
Cabinet, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, headed
by the Prime Minister.

11. Explain the Collective Responsibility and Individual Responsibility of the

Ministers.
Ans. Collective responsibility of the Ministers means that
directly responsible to the Lok Sabha and
they are collectively and
can remain in office
the
as long as they
enjoy majority support in the Lok Sabha.
A vote of No-confidence
against one Minister is a vote against the whole Councu
of Ministers and they have to
resign collectively.
Individual responsibility of the Ministers
means that the Ministers arc
individually responsible to the
President, i.e., they hold office during the pleasure
of the President and may be dismissed by him, on the
advice of the Prime
Minister even wnen they may have the
confidence of the Legislature.
12 Beeta Study Aid in History & Civics-
 Comiimunicating to
of the Union
nisters
reiating to the administration
of the Nation
c) Role of the Prime Minister as Leader
The Prime Minister represents the nation. When he speaks, the whole.
whole nation
1s supposed to be speaking through him
u) Duning a national crisis like war, even the oppOsition parties sunnors
the
Prime Minister
(n) The Prme Minister decides the kind ot relations India would have
the
other counties of the world.
(Iv) The Prume Minister tries to protect the interests of the countm.
on
international forums. He discusses matters of mutual interest with her

the of India in mind.

leaders. keeping interests

Practice Questions
Short Answer Questions

1.-Expiain the term Collective Responsibility. ICSE 2013

2 hat 1s understood by the term Individual Responsibility' in a parliamentarv
democracy? ICSE 2014
3 a t is the provision in the Constitution of India for categorising the Council of
Ministers?
S a t e one point of difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers
with reference to their responsibilities in the Government. ICSE 201o
5Xame the three categories of Ministers and the functions of each category.
6. State three administrative powers of the Cabinet.

State three financial powers of the Cabinet.

8Mr. X is the Finance Minister of the Union government. A vote of No-confidence
is passed by the Lok Sabha against him. What will be its effect on the Council of
Ministers?
9 What is the role of the Cabinet in the formulation of the Bills?

10
How is the Pr1me Minister of India appointed?
11WA is the role of the Prime Minister inside the Parliament?
12Mention one way by which the authority of the Prime Minister can be checked?

ICSE 2014
213 Beeta Study Aid in History & CluicsX