ICSE Class 8 · Chapter 14

The Union Executive ICSE Class 8: President, Vice-President and Prime Minister

Updated 15 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Union Executive of India consists of the President, the Vice-President, and the Prime Minister with the Council of Ministers. The President is the constitutional head, elected indirectly for five years, while real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

What The Union Executive is about

The legislature makes laws; the executive carries them out and runs the government day to day. At the level of the Union (the whole country), the executive includes the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

India follows the parliamentary system. Article 53 vests the executive power of the Union in the President, but Article 74 provides a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President, who acts in accordance with that advice. So the President is the nominal or constitutional head, like a ceremonial captain, while the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are the real executive. They remain in office only as long as they have the support of the Lok Sabha.

The CISCE curriculum asks for the qualifications, election (method, not procedure), and powers and functions of the President, the Vice-President, and the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. So learn who elects each office and by what method, but you do not need step-by-step counting of votes.

Weightage: CISCE publishes no question paper, marking scheme or chapter weightage for Class VIII History and Civics: your school sets and marks the exam. The Union Executive sits in the Civics: The Three main Organs of the Indian Government section of the CISCE Curriculum for Upper Primary Classes (VI-VIII).Source: CISCE Curriculum for Upper Primary Classes (VI-VIII), RDCD 2016

Key concepts

The President: qualifications, election and term

The President is the head of the Indian State and the first citizen of India (Article 52).
Qualifications (Article 58):
1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must have completed 35 years of age.
3. Must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
4. Must not hold any office of profit under the Union, a State or a local authority (holding the office of President, Vice-President, Governor or Minister is not counted as an office of profit).

Election - method (Articles 54 and 55):

Elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry).
Nominated members do not vote.
The election is by proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and voting is by secret ballot.

Term: five years (Article 56); the President can be re-elected (Article 57). The President may resign by writing to the Vice-President.
Removal: by impeachment for violation of the Constitution, by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of each House of Parliament (Article 61).

Worked example

(3 marks) State the qualifications for election as President of India.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Citizen of India - 1 mark.
At least 35 years of age; qualified for election to the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.
Must not hold an office of profit - 1 mark.

Answer: A candidate for President must be a citizen of India, have completed 35 years of age, be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the government.

Powers of the President

1. Executive powers:

All executive actions are taken in the President's name (Article 53).
Appoints the Prime Minister and, on the Prime Minister's advice, other ministers (Article 75).
Appoints Governors of States, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Attorney General and the Election Commissioners.

2. Legislative powers:

Summons and prorogues Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha (Article 85).
Addresses Parliament at the start of the first session each year (Article 87).
Nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.
Gives assent to bills; can return a bill (other than a Money Bill) once for reconsideration (Article 111).
Issues ordinances when Parliament is not in session (Article 123); they must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly.

3. Financial powers:

The annual budget is laid before Parliament on the President's behalf; Money Bills need the President's prior recommendation.
Controls the Contingency Fund of India and appoints the Finance Commission.

4. Judicial powers: can grant pardons, reprieves and remissions, and suspend or commute sentences, including death sentences (Article 72).
5. Military and diplomatic powers: Supreme Commander of the armed forces (Article 53(2)); India's ambassadors are appointed and treaties made in the President's name.
6. Emergency powers: can proclaim a national emergency (Article 352), President's rule in a State (Article 356) and a financial emergency (Article 360), on the advice of the Union Cabinet.

Worked example

(4 marks) Explain any four powers of the President of India.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Executive: appoints the PM, ministers, Governors, judges - 1 mark.
Legislative: summons Parliament, dissolves the Lok Sabha, issues ordinances - 1 mark.
Judicial: grants pardons and commutes sentences (Article 72) - 1 mark.
Emergency / military / financial: proclaims emergencies; Supreme Commander; budget laid on his behalf - 1 mark.

Answer: (1) Executive: the President appoints the Prime Minister, other ministers on the PM's advice, Governors and judges. (2) Legislative: the President summons Parliament, can dissolve the Lok Sabha and issues ordinances when Parliament is not in session. (3) Judicial: the President can pardon or reduce sentences, even death sentences. (4) Emergency: the President can proclaim a national, State or financial emergency on the Cabinet's advice.

The President's real position

Article 74(1): there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President, who shall act in accordance with such advice. The President may ask the Council to reconsider its advice once, but must then act on the advice given after reconsideration.
Therefore the President is the constitutional (nominal) head, and the Council of Ministers is the real executive.
Situations where the President has some discretion: choosing a Prime Minister when no party or alliance has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha; returning a bill once for reconsideration; deciding how long to keep a bill before acting on it in some cases.
The President's role is like that of the British monarch: to advise, encourage and warn, and to stand above party politics as a symbol of national unity.

Worked example

(2 marks) Why is the President called the nominal head of the executive?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

All executive power is exercised in the President's name - 1 mark.
But under Article 74 the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM, which holds real power - 1 mark.

Answer: Although all executive actions are taken in the President's name, under Article 74 the President must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, which exercises real power; so the President is the nominal head.

The Vice-President

Qualifications (Article 66(3)): citizen of India; at least 35 years old; qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha; must not hold an office of profit. He or she must not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a State Legislature (if a member is elected, the seat is vacated).
Election - method (Article 66): elected by an electoral college of all members of both Houses of Parliament (elected and nominated), by proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and secret ballot. State Legislatures do not take part.
Term: five years (Article 67); can be re-elected.
Removal: by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all its then members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha, after 14 days' notice.
Functions:
1. Ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64): presides over it and has a casting vote in case of a tie.
2. Acts as President when the office falls vacant due to death, resignation or removal, until a new President is elected (which must happen within six months), and discharges the President's functions when the President is unable to do so due to absence or illness (Article 65).

Worked example

(3 marks) How is the Vice-President elected? State two functions of the Vice-President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Elected by members of both Houses of Parliament by proportional representation (single transferable vote), secret ballot - 1 mark.
Ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha - 1 mark.
Acts as President in case of a vacancy, until a new President is elected - 1 mark.

Answer: The Vice-President is elected by all members of both Houses of Parliament by proportional representation through the single transferable vote, by secret ballot. The Vice-President is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acts as President when that office falls vacant, until a new President is elected.

The Prime Minister

Appointment (Article 75(1)): the President appoints the Prime Minister. By convention, the President invites the leader of the party or coalition that has a majority in the Lok Sabha. If no party has a clear majority, the President uses discretion and asks the leader most likely to win the confidence of the House, who may be asked to prove the majority on the floor of the House.
Membership: the Prime Minister must be a member of either House of Parliament or become one within six months of appointment (Article 75(5)).
Term: not fixed; holds office as long as he or she has the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
Powers and functions:
1. Head of the government and leader of the Council of Ministers.
2. Forms the Council of Ministers: advises the President on the appointment of ministers and allocates departments (portfolios); can ask a minister to resign.
3. Presides over meetings of the Cabinet and coordinates the work of ministries.
4. Link between the President and the Council of Ministers: communicates all Cabinet decisions to the President (Article 78).
5. Leader of the House (if a member of the Lok Sabha) and chief spokesperson of the government in Parliament.
6. Advises the President on summoning and proroguing Parliament and on dissolving the Lok Sabha.
7. Chief spokesperson of the country in foreign affairs.

Worked example

(4 marks) Describe four functions of the Prime Minister.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Forms the Council of Ministers and allocates portfolios - 1 mark.
Presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates ministries - 1 mark.
Link between President and Council of Ministers (Article 78) - 1 mark.
Leader of Lok Sabha / advises on dissolution / chief spokesperson in foreign affairs - 1 mark.

Answer: (1) The Prime Minister chooses the ministers, who are appointed by the President on the PM's advice, and allocates their portfolios. (2) The PM presides over Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of all ministries. (3) The PM is the link between the President and the Council of Ministers, informing the President of all decisions. (4) The PM leads the government in Parliament and can advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha.

The Council of Ministers

Composition: ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister (Article 75(1)). The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total membership of the Lok Sabha (Article 75(1A)). A non-member can be a minister for at most six months unless he or she becomes a member of Parliament.
Three categories:
1. Cabinet Ministers: senior ministers in charge of important ministries such as Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs; they form the Cabinet, the inner body that takes major decisions.
2. Ministers of State: may hold independent charge of a ministry or assist Cabinet Ministers.
3. Deputy Ministers: assist Cabinet Ministers or Ministers of State.
Collective responsibility (Article 75(3)): the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. All ministers stand by the government's decisions; if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no-confidence, the whole Council must resign.
Individual responsibility: ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President (Article 75(2)), which in practice means the Prime Minister can ask a minister to resign.
Functions:

Makes national policies and runs the administration through ministries.
Prepares the budget and introduces most bills in Parliament.
Advises the President on appointments and the use of emergency powers.
Conducts foreign relations and looks after defence and internal security.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is meant by collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The Council of Ministers is responsible as a team to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)) - 1 mark.
If a no-confidence motion is passed, all ministers resign together; all defend Cabinet decisions - 1 mark.

Answer: Collective responsibility means that the Council of Ministers is responsible as one team to the Lok Sabha: all ministers support and defend Cabinet decisions, and if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire Council must resign.

The Union Executive in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Nominal and real head

Suppose your school has a highly respected Chairperson whose name appears on every certificate and who formally appoints the Principal, but all day-to-day decisions are actually taken by the Principal and the staff council.

Who is like the President and who is like the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers? Why?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The Chairperson's name is on everything but the Chairperson acts on advice: like the President.
The Principal and staff council take real decisions: like the PM and Council of Ministers.
This is the difference between nominal and real executive.

Answer: The Chairperson is like the President, the nominal head in whose name actions are taken, while the Principal and staff council are like the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, who exercise real power.

Memory hook: President signs, Prime Minister decides.

Collective responsibility

Imagine a class project team of five members. One member disagrees with the team's plan in a meeting, but when the teacher asks questions, all five defend the plan together and share the grade.

Which principle of the Council of Ministers does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Disagreements are discussed inside the team.
Outside, all members support the decision.
The team rises or falls together, like ministers before the Lok Sabha.

Answer: It resembles collective responsibility: ministers may argue in Cabinet, but they defend decisions together in public and Parliament, and if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, all resign together.

Memory hook: Sink or swim together.

Indirect election of the President

Suppose the head boy of a school is chosen not by every student but by all the elected class monitors of every class, with each monitor's vote weighted by the size of the class.

How does this resemble the election of the President of India?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Students elect monitors directly (like citizens electing MPs and MLAs).
Monitors elect the head boy (like MPs and MLAs electing the President).
Votes carry different values, as votes of MPs and MLAs do in the presidential election.

Answer: Like the head boy, the President is elected indirectly by the elected representatives of the people: elected MPs and elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, whose votes carry different values.

Memory hook: People choose the choosers.

Topics in this chapter

The Union Executive: President, Vice-President, PM and Council of Ministers

The Union Executive: key facts

President: Qualifications age 35, citizen, qualified for Lok Sabha
Term 5 years, re-eligible
Electors elected MPs and elected MLAs
Method PR by single transferable vote, secret ballot; Articles 52-58; impeachment Article 61.
Vice-President: Qualifications age 35, citizen, qualified for Rajya Sabha
Term 5 years
Electors all members of both Houses
Roles Chairman of Rajya Sabha, acts as President in a vacancy; Articles 63-67.
Prime Minister: Appointed by President; leader of Lok Sabha majority by convention; must be MP or become one within 6 months; Article 75(1), 75(5); Article 78 duties.
Council of Ministers: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers; maximum 15% of Lok Sabha strength; collectively responsible to Lok Sabha; Article 74, 75(1A), 75(3).
Key presidential powers: Ordinances (Article 123); pardon (Article 72); emergencies (Articles 352, 356, 360); return a bill once (Article 111)

Qualifications	age 35, citizen, qualified for Lok Sabha
Term	5 years, re-eligible
Electors	elected MPs and elected MLAs
Method	PR by single transferable vote, secret ballot

Qualifications	age 35, citizen, qualified for Rajya Sabha
Term	5 years
Electors	all members of both Houses
Roles	Chairman of Rajya Sabha, acts as President in a vacancy

How the school exam asks The Union Executive

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Question type	How it is asked	Method
Qualifications and election (2-3 marks)	State the qualifications of the President / Vice-President; how is each elected?	Citizen, 35, qualified for Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha, no office of profit; then who elects and the method.
Powers (4 marks)	Explain the executive / legislative / judicial / emergency powers of the President.	Group powers under headings with one example each.
Prime Minister and Council (3-4 marks)	How is the PM appointed? Functions of the PM; collective responsibility.	Convention of majority leader, then functions; define collective responsibility with Article 75(3).
Analytical (3-4 marks)	Why is the President a nominal head? Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.	Article 74; real versus nominal; size and role of the Cabinet.

Tricks to remember The Union Executive

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

35 for both
President and Vice-President: both 35; President must qualify for the Lok Sabha, Vice-President for the Rajya Sabha (the House he chairs).
Use it when: Qualifications.
Who elects whom
President: MPs + MLAs (elected only). Vice-President: MPs only (all).
Use it when: Election method.
President's powers: E-L-F-J-M-E
'Every Lion Feels Joy Meeting Elephants': Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Military, Emergency.
Use it when: Listing powers.

The Union Executive: exam-level solved questions

Ordered from exam level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Example 1: Electoral college · 1 mark · MCQExam level

Which of the following do NOT vote in the election of the President of India?
(a) Elected members of the Lok Sabha
(b) Elected members of the Rajya Sabha
(c) Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
(d) Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Article 54: only elected members of both Houses and of State Legislative Assemblies vote.
Nominated members are excluded.

Answer: (d) Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha.

Example 2: Assertion and reason: Article 74 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder exam level

Assertion (A): The President of India is the nominal head of the executive.
Reason (R): The President acts in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
(a) Both A and R are true and R explains A
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The President is the constitutional, nominal head: A is true.
Article 74 requires the President to act on the Council's advice: R explains A.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.

Example 3: Ordinances · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

What is an ordinance? When can the President issue one, and how long does it last?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

An ordinance is a temporary law made by the President (Article 123).
It can be issued only when both Houses are not in session and immediate action is needed.
It must be laid before Parliament and ceases six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved earlier.

Answer: An ordinance is a temporary law issued by the President under Article 123 when Parliament is not in session and immediate action is needed. It has the force of law but must be placed before Parliament and lapses six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved earlier.

Example 4: Hung Lok Sabha · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

After an election, no party or alliance has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. How can the President choose the Prime Minister?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The usual convention (majority leader) cannot be applied directly.
The President uses discretion to invite the leader most likely to win the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
The person appointed may be asked to prove the majority through a vote of confidence within a set time.

Answer: Since no one has a clear majority, the President uses personal discretion and invites the leader who seems most likely to command the confidence of the Lok Sabha, such as the leader of the largest party or alliance. The new Prime Minister may then be asked to prove the majority by winning a vote of confidence in the House.

Example 5: Cabinet and Council of Ministers · 3 marks · Short answerExam level

Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers on three points.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Size: Cabinet is small; Council is larger (all three categories).
Members: Cabinet has only Cabinet Ministers; Council includes Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
Role: Cabinet takes major policy decisions; Council as a whole rarely meets and implements policy.

Answer: (1) The Cabinet is a small body; the Council of Ministers is much larger. (2) The Cabinet consists only of Cabinet Ministers, while the Council includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. (3) The Cabinet takes the major policy decisions; the Council as a whole rarely meets and mainly carries out those decisions.

Example 6: Vice-President's two roles · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain the two main roles of the Vice-President and show why the qualification 'eligible for the Rajya Sabha' fits the office.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Role 1: ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over its proceedings with a casting vote.
Role 2: acts as President during a vacancy (until a new President is elected within six months) or when the President cannot work.
Qualification: must be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha (35, citizen).
It fits because the Vice-President's regular duty is to preside over the Rajya Sabha.

Answer: The Vice-President is ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over it and voting only to break a tie, and acts as President when that office is vacant (until a new President is elected within six months) or when the President is unable to work. The qualification of being eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha fits because the Vice-President's everyday role is to preside over that House.

Example 7: Emergency powers · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

Name the three types of emergency the President can proclaim, with the Articles.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

National emergency: war, external aggression or armed rebellion (Article 352).
Failure of constitutional machinery in a State, President's rule (Article 356).
Financial emergency (Article 360).

Answer: (1) National emergency under Article 352, on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. (2) President's rule in a State under Article 356, when the constitutional machinery fails there. (3) Financial emergency under Article 360, when India's financial stability is threatened.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In a school exam set on the board pattern this is a 7-mark question split into 2 + 2 + 3 marks.

Case study: a new government

Read the imagined situation and answer the questions.

After a general election, Party P wins 300 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Its leader, Ms Rao, is a member of the Rajya Sabha. The President invites her to form the government. She later recommends 60 names to be appointed as ministers, including Mr Singh, who is not a member of either House.

(i) · 2 marks
Why did the President invite Ms Rao? Can a member of the Rajya Sabha be Prime Minister?
Answer
Answer: By convention, the President invites the leader of the party with a majority in the Lok Sabha; Party P has 300 of 543 seats. Yes, a Prime Minister may be a member of either House of Parliament.
1 mark each.
(ii) · 2 marks
Can Mr Singh be appointed a minister? State the condition.
Answer
Answer: Yes, but he must become a member of either House of Parliament within six months, or he must leave office (Article 75(5)).
1 mark for yes, 1 for the six-month condition.
(iii) · 3 marks
Can the government have 60 ministers? Show the calculation using the 15 per cent rule, and state to whom the ministers are collectively responsible.
Answer
Answer: 15% of 543 = 81.45, so up to 81 ministers including the Prime Minister are allowed; 60 is within the limit. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
1 mark for the calculation, 1 for the conclusion, 1 for the Lok Sabha.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

State two qualifications of the Vice-President. (2 marks) (2 marks)

Step	Marks
Citizen of India, at least 35 years old.	1
Qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha; no office of profit.	1

How is the President elected? (3 marks) (3 marks)

Step	Marks
Indirectly, by an electoral college.	1
Elected members of both Houses and of State Legislative Assemblies.	1
Proportional representation by single transferable vote; secret ballot.	1

Explain four legislative powers of the President. (4 marks) (4 marks)

Step	Marks
Summons, prorogues Parliament; dissolves Lok Sabha.	1
Assent to bills; may return once.	1
Ordinances (Article 123).	1
Nominates 12 to Rajya Sabha / addresses Parliament.	1

Where students lose marks in The Union Executive

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Writing that the people directly elect the President
Confusing with Lok Sabha elections.
Do this: The President is elected indirectly by elected MPs and elected MLAs.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Including State MLAs in the Vice-President's electoral college
Mixing the two elections.
Do this: Vice-President: members of both Houses of Parliament only.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Describing step-by-step vote counting
Students try to explain the quota.
Do this: The curriculum asks for the method (who elects, proportional representation, secret ballot), not the procedure.
Usually costs: Time.
Mistake: Saying the Prime Minister has a fixed five-year term
The Lok Sabha's term is five years.
Do this: The PM stays in office as long as he or she has the Lok Sabha's confidence.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Practice questions on The Union Executive

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQExam level
The minimum age for election as President of India is:
(a) 25 years
(b) 30 years
(c) 35 years
(d) 40 years
Hint
Article 58.
Answer
(c) 35 years.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder exam level
Under which Article can the President grant pardons?
(a) Article 72
(b) Article 74
(c) Article 123
(d) Article 352
Hint
Judicial power.
Answer
(a) Article 72.
Q3 · 1 mark · Very short answerHarder exam level
Who administers the oath of office to the President?
Hint
Head of the judiciary.
Answer
The Chief Justice of India (or, in the CJI's absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court).
Q4 · 1 mark · Very short answerExam level
Who is the Supreme Commander of India's armed forces?
Hint
Article 53(2).
Answer
The President of India.
Q5 · 1 mark · Very short answerHarder exam level
Within what time must the office of President be filled if it falls vacant?
Hint
Article 62.
Answer
Within six months of the vacancy.
Q6 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder exam level
Can the President refuse to sign a bill passed by Parliament? Explain.
Hint
Article 111.
Answer
The President can return a bill (other than a Money Bill) once for reconsideration, but if Parliament passes it again, with or without changes, the President must give assent.
Q7 · 2 marks · Very short answerExam level
State two functions of the Council of Ministers.
Hint
Policy and budget.
Answer
It makes national policies and runs the administration through ministries, and it prepares the budget and introduces most bills in Parliament.
Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Why is the Prime Minister described as the 'keystone of the Cabinet arch'?
Hint
Remove the keystone...
Answer
The Prime Minister forms the Council of Ministers, allocates portfolios, presides over the Cabinet and coordinates all ministries. If the Prime Minister resigns or dies, the whole Council of Ministers is dissolved, just as an arch collapses when its keystone is removed.
Q9 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder exam level
How does the election of the Vice-President differ from that of the President?
Hint
Who votes.
Answer
The President is elected by the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and of the State Legislative Assemblies. The Vice-President is elected by all members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members, and State Legislative Assemblies do not take part. Both use proportional representation by single transferable vote and secret ballot.
Q10 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Some people suggest that India's President should be directly elected by the people. Give one argument for and one against.
Hint
Two centres of power.
Answer
For: a directly elected President would have the people's mandate and might feel more independent. Against: a President directly elected by the whole country could claim to be more representative than the Prime Minister, creating a rival centre of power and conflict in a parliamentary system where real power rests with the Council of Ministers responsible to the Lok Sabha; direct election would also be very costly. The Constitution chose indirect election for these reasons.
Q11 · 2 marks · Very short answerExam level
What happens to the Council of Ministers if the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion?
Hint
Collective responsibility.
Answer
The entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign, because it is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Which Article vests executive power in the President?Show answer
Article 53.
2.What is the term of the President?Show answer
Five years; can be re-elected.
3.Who acts as President if the office falls vacant?Show answer
The Vice-President.
4.Who appoints the Prime Minister?Show answer
The President.
5.What is the maximum size of the Council of Ministers?Show answer
15 per cent of the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
6.Which Article lays down collective responsibility?Show answer
Article 75(3).

Best order to study it

Understand nominal and real executive.
Learn the President: qualifications, election method, term, removal.
Learn the President's powers under headings.
Learn the Vice-President: qualifications, election, functions.
Learn the Prime Minister: appointment and functions.
Learn the Council of Ministers: categories and collective responsibility.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

President (Articles 52-61): citizen, 35, qualified for Lok Sabha, no office of profit; elected by elected MPs and MLAs (including Delhi and Puducherry) by PR-STV, secret ballot; term 5 years; impeachment by two-thirds of total membership of each House.
Powers: executive (appoints PM, ministers, Governors, judges), legislative (summon, dissolve, assent, ordinances, nominate 12), financial (budget, Contingency Fund), judicial (pardon, Article 72), military, emergency (352, 356, 360).
Nominal head: Article 74 - acts on advice of the Council of Ministers; may ask for reconsideration once.
Vice-President: citizen, 35, qualified for Rajya Sabha; elected by all MPs; term 5 years; Chairman of Rajya Sabha; acts as President in a vacancy.
PM: appointed by President, majority leader by convention; MP within six months; forms ministry, chairs Cabinet, links President and Council (Article 78).
Council of Ministers: Cabinet, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers; max 15% of Lok Sabha; collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)).

The Union Executive: frequently asked questions

What does 'method, not procedure' mean for the President's election?

You should know who elects the President, that it is indirect, by proportional representation through the single transferable vote and secret ballot. You do not need the formula for the value of votes or how votes are counted.

Can the President act without the Council of Ministers' advice?

Only in a few situations, such as choosing a Prime Minister when no one has a clear majority, or returning a bill once for reconsideration. Otherwise the President acts on the Council's advice.

Is the Prime Minister always from the Lok Sabha?

No. The Prime Minister must be a member of either House of Parliament, or become one within six months, but must have the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.

Based on: CISCE Curriculum for Upper Primary Classes (VI-VIII), History and Civics (Class VIII); CISCE RDCD: Curriculum Pre-School to Class VIII