Union Executive and Presidential Elections

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum number of terms a President can serve in the USA?

One term

Two terms (correct)

Unlimited terms

Three terms

Which of the following is NOT a way a vacancy in the President's office can occur?

On the expiration of tenure

Death of the President

Foreign appointment (correct)

Citizen disqualification

What is required for the impeachment charges to be initiated against a President?

A majority vote from state assemblies

Signature of one-fourth members of the House (correct)

Approval from the Supreme Court

An election deadline

How long does a President hold office before another assumes charge?

Five years Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the President's removal is not clearly defined in the Constitution?

Violation of the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the impeachment process is incorrect?

Elected state assembly members participate in impeachment. Signup and view all the answers

How long of a notice must be given to the President before initiating impeachment charges?

14 days Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT allow the President to remain in office?

Resignation Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a vacancy in the presidency occurs due to death, resignation, or removal?

An election must be held within six months to fill the vacancy. Signup and view all the answers

When does the newly-elected President begin their term?

From the date they assume charge of the office. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Vice-President play when the President is unable to fulfill their duties?

The Vice-President discharges the functions of the President. Signup and view all the answers

If both the President and the Vice-President positions are vacant, who acts as the President?

The senior most judge of the Supreme Court. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the powers of the President?

Legislative veto powers Signup and view all the answers

What does the President need to do to authenticate orders under their name?

Make rules for authentication as per Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for the President to continue holding office after term expiration?

The successor assumes charge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following powers allows the President to take actions during national emergencies?

Emergency powers Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary responsibilities outlined in the President's oath?

To execute laws to the best of his abilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions must be met for someone to be elected President?

Should not hold any other office of profit Signup and view all the answers

How much was the salary of the President increased to in 2008?

Rs.1.50 lakh per month Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for administering the oath of office to the President?

The Chief Justice of India Signup and view all the answers

What privilege does the President enjoy concerning legal proceedings during his term of office?

He has immunity from all criminal proceedings. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a member of the parliament if he is elected as President?

He is deemed to have vacated his seat in the parliament. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the family pension of a deceased President’s spouse?

It is at the rate of 50% of the retired President’s pension. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits not available to former Presidents after their term?

Immunity from civil proceedings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Union Executive

Articles 52-78 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the Union executive
The Union executive comprises the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and Attorney General of India
The President is the head of the Indian state, acts as the symbol of national unity, integrity, and solidarity, and is the first citizen of India

Election of the President

The President is not elected directly by the people, but by members of an electoral college
The electoral college consists of:
Elected members of both Houses of Parliament
Elected members of legislative assemblies of the states
Elected members of legislative assemblies of Union Territories (Delhi and Puducherry)
Nominated members of Parliament and legislative assemblies, and members of state legislative councils (in bicameral legislatures) do not participate in the election
Where an assembly is dissolved, its members cease to be qualified electors
Voting at presidential elections requires uniformity in representation by states, as well as parity between the states and the union in the electoral college.
Every elected member of a state legislative assembly gets votes based on a quotient obtained from the population of the state divided by the total elected members of the state assembly, rounded to the nearest multiple of one thousand
Every elected member of parliament (MP) gets a number of votes based on proportion to the total votes of the elected members of legislative assemblies of states

Electoral Quota

The electoral quota formula is (total valid votes +1) / (no. candidates elected +1)

Voting Process

Each member of the electoral college receives one ballot
Voters mark their preferences (1, 2, 3, etc) for candidates on the ballot paper
First preference votes are counted to determine whether a candidate has secured the required quota. If not, votes are transferred based on second, third preferences until a candidate reaches the quota
Disputes related to the election are resolved by the Supreme Court

Qualifications

A person must be an Indian citizen
Be at least 35 years old
Be qualified as a member of Lok Sabha
Not hold any office of profit under the Union or states government, or local authorities.

Oath or Affirmation

Prior to assuming office, the President must take an oath or affirmation embodying faithfully executing the office, upholding the constitution and laws of India, and serving people.
Oath administered by the Chief Justice of India or seniormost Supreme Court judge available

Conditions of President's Office

The President can't be a member of either Parliament or any state legislature.
The President cannot hold any other office of profit.
President gets to live in Rastrapati Bhavan.
The salary and perks of the President can't be lowered during term of office.

Term of President's Office

The President holds office for a term of five years
Resignation is possible by letter to Vice President.
Removal is possible via impeachment process
The President can continue holding office beyond the five-year term until the successor assumes office.

Impeachment

The President can be removed from office via impeachment process for violating the Constitution.
The process begins in either House of Parliament with charges signed by at least one-fourth of members and 14 days' notice to the President
After an impeachment resolution has passed with a two-thirds majority in one house it is forwarded to the other for investigation
If the second house also passes the impeachment resolution with a two-thirds majority it is valid.

Vacancies in the President's Office

Expiry of five-year term
Resignation
Removal/Impeachment
Death

Powers and Functions

Executive Power: The President acts in the name of the Government of India, makes rules about authenticated orders, appoints PM & ministers etc.
Legislative Power: The President can summon/prolong/dissolve Parliament; can send messages to Parliament; nominate members to Rajya Sabha; can make regulations in territories (certain areas)
Financial Power: The president's financial powers include recommending money bills, presenting annual financial statements (the Union Budget), and approving demands for government grants
Judicial Power: The president appoints judges to Supreme Court and High Courts, can seek legal advice from the Supreme Court
Diplomatic Power: The President represents India internationally, negotiating and concluding treaties/agreements (subject to Parliament's approval), and sending/receiving diplomats
Military Power: The President is the Supreme Commander of the defence forces; appoints chiefs of the armed forces, and can declare war/peace (subject to Parliament approval).
Emergency Power: Powers to deal with national emergencies (Article 352), President’s rule (Article 356 & 365), and financial emergencies (Article 360)

Veto Power

The president can either approve, reject or send the bill back to the parliament for reconsideration (if it not a money bill)
For bills coming from legislatures (states) the same power applies
The president cannot use a veto for constitutional amendments

Ordinance Power

The president can issue ordinances when parliament is not in session
The ordinance power functions concurrently with the parliament’s law-making.
Ordinances must be presented to parliament when it convenes.
The ordinance will lapse within six weeks of parliament’s re-assembly unless approved
An ordinance cannot override the fundamental rights of citizens under the Indian constitution.

Pardoning Power

The President can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions of punishment, and commute sentences to persons convicted of offences under Union law, or court martial, or those punishable under the death penalty.
The Supreme Court has determined certain limitations on this power.

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Description

Explore the structure and functions of the Union executive as outlined in Articles 52-78 of the Indian Constitution. This quiz covers key roles such as the President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister, as well as the election process of the President by the electoral college. Test your knowledge and understanding of this vital component of the Indian political system.