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Union Executive: President and PM | ICSE 8 Civics

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History & CivicsICSE Class 8 · The Union Executive

The Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (ICSE Class 8)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The President is the constitutional head of India, elected indirectly for five years by an electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs, aided and advised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister (Article 74). The Vice-President is elected by all MPs and is Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister, appointed by the President, leads the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Notice that the President appoints the Prime Minister but acts on advice, and the Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

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

1. The President: qualifications and election. Head of State and first citizen (Article 52). Qualifications (Article 58): citizen of India; 35 years complete; qualified for election to the Lok Sabha; no office of profit (the offices of President, Vice-President, Governor and Minister do not count). Election method (Articles 54-55): indirect, by an electoral college of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including Delhi and Puducherry); nominated members do not vote; proportional representation by the single transferable vote; secret ballot. Term five years, re-election allowed. Removal: impeachment for violation of the Constitution by a resolution of at least two-thirds of the total membership of each House.

2. Powers of the President. Executive: all executive action is in the President's name; appoints the Prime Minister and, on advice, other ministers; appoints Governors, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the CAG, the Attorney General and the Election Commissioners. Legislative: summons and prorogues Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha; addresses Parliament at the first session each year; nominates 12 Rajya Sabha members; gives assent to bills and may return a bill other than a Money Bill once; issues ordinances when Parliament is not in session (to be approved within six weeks of reassembly). Financial: the budget is laid on the President's behalf; Money Bills need prior recommendation; controls the Contingency Fund; appoints the Finance Commission. Judicial: pardons, reprieves, remissions, suspension or commutation of sentences, including death sentences. Military and diplomatic: Supreme Commander of the armed forces; treaties and ambassadors in the President's name. Emergency: national emergency (Article 352), President's rule in a State (Article 356) and financial emergency (Article 360) on the advice of the Union Cabinet.

3. The real position. Article 74(1) requires the President to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, though the Council may be asked to reconsider once. So the President is the constitutional (nominal) head and the Council is the real executive. The President has some discretion in choosing a Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority and in returning a bill once. Like the British monarch, the President advises, encourages and warns, and stands above party politics.

4. The Vice-President. Qualifications: citizen; 35 years; qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha; no office of profit; not a member of Parliament or a State Legislature. Elected by an electoral college of all members of both Houses (elected and nominated) by proportional representation using the single transferable vote and secret ballot; State legislatures do not take part. Term five years. Removal by a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by a majority of all its members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha after 14 days' notice. Functions: ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha with a casting vote; acts as President on a vacancy (until a new President is elected within six months) or when the President cannot discharge the functions.

5. The Prime Minister. Appointed by the President (Article 75); by convention the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Lok Sabha; if there is no clear majority, the President uses discretion. Must be a member of either House or become one within six months. Term not fixed: holds office as long as the Lok Sabha majority supports. Functions: head of government; forms the Council and allocates portfolios and can ask a minister to resign; presides over the Cabinet; link between the President and the Council (Article 78); Leader of the House; advises on summoning, proroguing and dissolving; chief spokesperson in foreign affairs.

6. Council of Ministers. Appointed by the President on the Prime Minister's advice; total strength including the Prime Minister not more than 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha membership (Article 75(1A)); a non-member may serve up to six months. Three categories: Cabinet Ministers (senior, in charge of Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs; form the Cabinet), Ministers of State (independent charge or assisting) and Deputy Ministers. Collective responsibility (Article 75(3)) to the Lok Sabha: a no-confidence vote requires the whole Council to resign. Individual responsibility: ministers hold office during the President's pleasure, in practice the Prime Minister's. Functions: national policy and administration, preparing the budget, introducing most bills, advising the President, foreign relations, defence and internal security.

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

President
  • Age 35
  • Term 5 years
  • Indirect election
  • Electoral college: elected MPs and MLAs
  • STV, secret ballot
Vice-President
  • Age 35
  • Term 5 years
  • Elected by all MPs
  • Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  • Casting vote
Prime Minister
  • Appointed by President
  • Majority of Lok Sabha
  • Member of either House within 6 months
Council of Ministers
  • Total not more than 15 per cent of Lok Sabha
  • Collective responsibility to Lok Sabha
  • Cabinet, State, Deputy Ministers

How to answer The Union Executive: President, Vice-President, PM and Council of Ministers questions

For election questions state electors, system and ballot.

  1. 1For powers, use heads: executive, legislative, financial, judicial, military, emergency.
  2. 2For the real position cite Article 74.
  3. 3For Council of Ministers, state numbers, categories and responsibility.
  4. 4Always distinguish the methods: President (MPs and MLAs), Vice-President (MPs only).

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

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

A government that loses the House

Suppose a government loses a no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha by 20 votes.

What must the Council of Ministers do and which principle applies?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Under collective responsibility, the entire Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha.
  2. When the House passes a no-confidence motion the whole Council must resign.
  3. The Prime Minister cannot save only some ministers.

Answer: The whole Council resigns; collective responsibility.

Memory hook: Sink or swim together.

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

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

  • President: MPs plus MLAs; VP: MPs only

    Different electoral colleges.

    Use it when: Election.

  • 35 for both

    The minimum age of the President and Vice-President is 35.

    Use it when: Qualifications.

  • 15 per cent

    Maximum ministers as a share of the Lok Sabha.

    Use it when: Council size.

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

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Qualifications · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the qualifications for election as President of India.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Citizen of India and 35 years complete.
  2. Qualified for election to the Lok Sabha.
  3. Does not hold any office of profit under the Union, a State or a local authority.

Answer: Citizen, 35 years, Lok Sabha qualified, no office of profit.

Example 2: Electoral college · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the members of the electoral college for the President and the Vice-President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. President: elected members of both Houses and of the State Legislative Assemblies (including Delhi and Puducherry).
  2. Vice-President: all members of both Houses (elected and nominated).
  3. Both by proportional representation with the single transferable vote.

Answer: President: elected MPs and MLAs; Vice-President: all MPs.

Example 3: Council size · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

The Lok Sabha has 543 elected members. Find the maximum number of ministers including the Prime Minister (15 per cent), and state the three categories of ministers.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 15 / 100 x 543 = 81.45.
  2. The number cannot exceed this, so the maximum is 81 (the largest whole number not exceeding 81.45).
  3. Categories: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.

Answer: Maximum 81; Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers.

Example 4: President's position · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain why the President is called a constitutional head though the Constitution gives many powers to the President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Article 74(1) requires the President to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
  2. The President can ask the Council to reconsider its advice once but must then act on the advice given.
  3. So the Council is the real executive.
  4. The President has limited discretion, for example in choosing a Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority.

Answer: Article 74 binds the President to ministerial advice; the Council is the real executive.

Example 5: Evaluate the Prime Minister · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain why the Prime Minister is regarded as the central figure of the government, using four functions.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Forms the Council of Ministers, allocates portfolios and can ask a minister to resign.
  2. Presides over the Cabinet and coordinates ministries.
  3. Is the link between the President and the Council, communicating Cabinet decisions (Article 78).
  4. Leads the House and advises on summoning, proroguing and dissolving; chief spokesperson in foreign affairs.

Answer: The Prime Minister forms, leads, links and represents the government.

Where students lose marks in The Union Executive: President, Vice-President, PM and Council of Ministers

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

  • Mistake: Writing that the President is directly elected

    Election method wrong.

    Do this: Indirect election by an electoral college.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Including nominated members in the President's college

    Nominated MPs do not vote.

    Do this: Only elected members vote for the President.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Confusing collective and individual responsibility

    Responsibility is described incorrectly.

    Do this: Collective: to Lok Sabha; individual: during the President's pleasure.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Calculating 15 per cent without rounding down

    Writing 82 for 81.45.

    Wrong working

    Maximum = 82

    Right working

    Maximum = 81 (cannot exceed 81.45)

    Do this: Round down when a limit is not to be exceeded.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Make a table of qualifications for President and Vice-President.
  • Quote Article 74(1) for the real position.
  • Use "method, not procedure" for election as the syllabus instructs.
  • Group powers under six heads.

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

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

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The minimum age to be Vice-President is:
    (a) 25
    (b) 30
    (c) 35
    (d) 40

    Hint

    Same as President.

    Answer

    (c) 35.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Who acts as President when the office is vacant?

    Hint

    Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

    Answer

    The Vice-President (until a new President is elected within six months).

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    State any two judicial powers of the President.

    Hint

    Pardon.

    Answer

    The President can grant pardons, reprieves and remissions and can suspend or commute sentences, including death sentences.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    How is the President impeached? State the ground and the vote needed.

    Hint

    Violation of Constitution.

    Answer

    The ground is violation of the Constitution. A resolution must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of each House of Parliament.

  5. Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): The Prime Minister must be a member of Parliament within six months of appointment.
    Reason (R): The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Is R the reason?

    Answer

    (b) Both statements are true, but the six-month rule is a constitutional requirement of membership, not directly the reason of responsibility.

  6. Q6 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Describe the emergency powers of the President.

    Hint

    Three types.

    Answer

    On the advice of the Union Cabinet the President can proclaim a national emergency (Article 352), President's rule in a State (Article 356) and a financial emergency (Article 360).

  7. Q7 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Compare the Vice-President and the President under: qualifications, electoral college, chief function.

    Hint

    Table in sentences.

    Answer

    Qualifications: both citizens aged 35; the President qualified to be a Lok Sabha member, the Vice-President a Rajya Sabha member. Electoral college: President: elected MPs and MLAs; Vice-President: all MPs. Chief function: President: head of State; Vice-President: ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acting President on a vacancy.

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    No party wins a majority in the Lok Sabha. Describe the President's role in appointing the Prime Minister and why it shows discretion.

    Hint

    Convention versus discretion.

    Answer

    By convention the President invites the leader with a Lok Sabha majority. When no party has a clear majority the President asks the leader most likely to win the House's confidence, who may be asked to prove the majority on the floor. This is one of the few areas of real presidential discretion.

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. 1.Term of the President?Show answer

    Five years.

  2. 2.Who appoints the Prime Minister?Show answer

    The President.

  3. 3.Article 74 relates to?Show answer

    Council of Ministers aiding and advising the President.

  4. 4.Max ministers?Show answer

    15 per cent of the Lok Sabha.

  5. 5.Who is Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?Show answer

    The Vice-President.

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

Can the President be re-elected?

Yes, the Constitution allows re-election.

What is an ordinance?

A law issued by the President when Parliament is not in session; it must be approved within six weeks of reassembly.

What is the Cabinet?

The inner body of senior ministers that takes major decisions.

Is the Prime Minister's term fixed?

No, it lasts as long as he or she has Lok Sabha majority support.