Podcast
Questions and Answers
What institution is empowered to administer justice and resolve legal disputes?
What institution is empowered to administer justice and resolve legal disputes?
Who is responsible for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts?
Who is responsible for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts?
What power allows the Supreme Court and High Courts to declare laws invalid?
What power allows the Supreme Court and High Courts to declare laws invalid?
Which principle indicates that the core principles of the Constitution cannot be altered?
Which principle indicates that the core principles of the Constitution cannot be altered?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Signup and view all the answers
How can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed from office?
How can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed from office?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes the independence of modern judicial systems from the executive and legislature?
What distinguishes the independence of modern judicial systems from the executive and legislature?
Signup and view all the answers
Which court has the ultimate authority over all legal matters in India?
Which court has the ultimate authority over all legal matters in India?
Signup and view all the answers
Who appoints the Prime Minister in the country?
Who appoints the Prime Minister in the country?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the Prime Minister resigns?
What happens when the Prime Minister resigns?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the Cabinet Ministers?
What is the role of the Cabinet Ministers?
Signup and view all the answers
Who usually coordinates the work of different departments in the government?
Who usually coordinates the work of different departments in the government?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the Council of Ministers is true?
Which statement about the Council of Ministers is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the tenure status of a Prime Minister?
What is the tenure status of a Prime Minister?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a requirement for a minister who is not a member of Parliament at the time of appointment?
What is a requirement for a minister who is not a member of Parliament at the time of appointment?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the President primarily exercise in the political system?
What does the President primarily exercise in the political system?
Signup and view all the answers
How is the President of India elected?
How is the President of India elected?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the powers of the President is true?
Which statement about the powers of the President is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major difference between the President of India and the President of the United States?
What is a major difference between the President of India and the President of the United States?
Signup and view all the answers
In what situation does the President of India exercise discretion when appointing the Prime Minister?
In what situation does the President of India exercise discretion when appointing the Prime Minister?
Signup and view all the answers
What limitation exists on the powers of the President of India?
What limitation exists on the powers of the President of India?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a role of the President of India during an emergency situation?
Which of the following is a role of the President of India during an emergency situation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following appointments is made in the name of the President?
Which of the following appointments is made in the name of the President?
Signup and view all the answers
What must occur for a bill passed by Parliament to become law?
What must occur for a bill passed by Parliament to become law?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is regarded as the head of the government in India?
Who is regarded as the head of the government in India?
Signup and view all the answers
Which institution is responsible for making new laws in India?
Which institution is responsible for making new laws in India?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary method by which a major policy decision is taken?
What is the primary method by which a major policy decision is taken?
Signup and view all the answers
Which house of Parliament represents the interests of the states and union territories?
Which house of Parliament represents the interests of the states and union territories?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the President of India play in Parliament?
What role does the President of India play in Parliament?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of Parliament regarding government finances?
What is the function of Parliament regarding government finances?
Signup and view all the answers
If individuals or associations dispute a government order, where can they file their cases?
If individuals or associations dispute a government order, where can they file their cases?
Signup and view all the answers
How are the members of the Lok Sabha primarily elected?
How are the members of the Lok Sabha primarily elected?
Signup and view all the answers
What advantage does Lok Sabha have over Rajya Sabha in financial matters?
What advantage does Lok Sabha have over Rajya Sabha in financial matters?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens if Lok Sabha passes a bill but Rajya Sabha suggests changes?
What happens if Lok Sabha passes a bill but Rajya Sabha suggests changes?
Signup and view all the answers
Who has the power to appoint the Prime Minister in India?
Who has the power to appoint the Prime Minister in India?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about political and permanent executives is true?
Which of the following statements about political and permanent executives is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes the political executive in a democratic country?
What characterizes the political executive in a democratic country?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of a permanent executive in the government?
What is the role of a permanent executive in the government?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Lok Sabha?
Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Lok Sabha?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the primary differences between political and permanent executives?
What is one of the primary differences between political and permanent executives?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Working of Institutions
- Government institutions—legislature, executive, and judiciary—play key roles in policy decisions.
- Policy decisions are made through government orders, which are written directions from government authorities.
- Decision-makers include the President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), and Parliament (President and two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
- Lok Sabha represents the people, and Rajya Sabha represents states and territories.
- Major decisions are made by the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, through cabinet meetings.
- Citizens can challenge government decisions by filing cases in the Supreme Court or High Court.
- Parliament, composed of elected representatives (directly or indirectly), is the final authority for making and changing laws.
- Parliament controls the government's budget, debates public issues, and sets national policy.
- Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- Lok Sabha has real power, directly elected by people.
- Rajya Sabha represents states and has special functions, such as representing interests of states.
- The President is part of Parliament but isn't a member of either house.
Special Powers of Lok Sabha Over Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha holds significant power in most decisions, including those related to money (budget).
- Money bills can be delayed by Rajya Sabha but cannot be rejected.
- Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers; only those with majority support in Lok Sabha can become Prime Minister.
- If Lok Sabha loses confidence in the Council of Ministers, all ministers (including the Prime Minister) must resign.
- Rajya Sabha does not have this power.
Political and Permanent Executive
- Democratic countries have two types of executives: political and permanent.
- Political executive are elected for a set period, make major decisions, and include political leaders.
- Permanent executive (civil servants) are appointed for longer terms, assist the political executive, and remain in office even when the ruling party changes.
Prime Minister
- Prime Minister is the head of government and exercises executive powers.
- They are appointed by the President based on the majority party or a coalition in the Lok Sabha.
- They chair Cabinet meetings, coordinate ministries and have broad power.
Council of Ministers
- The Council of Ministers is the official body of ministers (60-80 members from different ranks).
- Cabinet Ministers are high-ranking members of the ruling party, in charge of major ministries.
- Ministers of State are in charge of smaller ministries.
- The Cabinet Secretariat assistants in coordinating ministries.
President
- President is the head of state with nominal powers (more ceremonial and symbolic).
- President appoints the Council of Ministers on the Prime Minister's advice.
- President supervises the functioning of political institutions.
- The President is indirectly elected by an electoral college.
Powers of the President
- The President is the formal head of the state.
- The President appoints government officials, such as judges, governors, and election commissioners.
- The President has emergency powers for critical situations.
- The President appoints the Prime Minister, though the choice is made according to the party support in Lok Sabha.
Judiciary
- Judiciary interprets the constitution, checks the legislative and executive actions.
- Judicially review actions by legislature and executive — if declared unconstitutional, those actions cease.
- It provides a mechanism to resolve legal disputes (Supreme Court, high courts, subordinate courts, etc).
- Supreme Court's decisions are binding on all other courts.
- Judges are independent from the executive and legislature.
Appointment and Removal of Judges
- Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts appointed by the President, based on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice.
- Removal of judges is difficult; requires impeachment by Parliament.
Role of the Supreme Court and High Courts
- Supreme Court and High Courts interpret the constitution.
- They can declare laws or actions invalid if unconstitutional.
- They have the role of public interest litigation (PIL)—to act in situations where public interest is adversely affected.
- They safeguard fundamental rights by checking the actions of the government and maintain a check on the administrative machinery.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the functioning of key government institutions including the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Understand how policy decisions are made, the role of elected representatives in Parliament, and the processes citizens can use to challenge these decisions. This quiz provides insights into the structure and operation of governance.
