1. Who is the President?

The President is the nominal Head of the State. The administration is run on the name of the President. The executive power in our Country is vested in the President. The President can be removed from his office through a process called impeachment. The President does not use his powers independently but uses them on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President of India is also called as Rashtrapathi. The residence of the President is called Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The President is an integral part of the Parliament.  

2. What are the qualifications required to become the President of India?

There are some qualifications required to become the President of India. They are:- He should be a citizen of India. He should have completed 35 years of age. He should be eligible for the membership of Lok Sabha. He should not hold any post of profit under the Government or be in receipt of income from Government.

3. What are privileges enjoyed by the President?

The person holding the office of the president enjoys some privileges and special protection. He resides in Rashtrapathi Nilayam which has all the facilities. He is not answerable to the Court of law. He is not subjected to any criminal action. He cannot be arrested. The executive power is vested in the President.

4. What are the emergency powers of the President?

The President of Indian can proclaim emergency fewer than three conditions. Emergency due to war, foreign invasion or armed rebellion or danger: The President can ask the State Governments to function according to his instructions. Parliament gets the power to make laws in the State list. Fundamental rights of the citizens remain suspended. If the Governor sends a report against the State Executive, the President declares emergency in the State and gets it under President's rule. If the President is satisfied that the financial credit or stability of the Country is threatened, he can declare as financial emergency.

5. What were the procedures taken to remove the President?

If the President acts against the constitution, suitable charges can be levelled against him in either of the houses of the Parliament. The allegation has to propose by not less than one fourth of the members of the house. Then the proposal will be taken up for discussion after 14 days. On being approved with two thirds majority in the house, the impeachment is discussed in the other house. If the charges are proved with the approval of two-thirds majority, the President has to step down.

6. What are the executive powers enjoyed by the President?

The administration is run in the name of the President. The President appoints the Prime Minister and other Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. He appoints Governors of States, the Chief Justice and other judges of Supreme Court and High Court. He also appoints the Chairman and other members of the Union Public Service Commission, the Election Commissioners, the Attorney General of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, are also appointed by him. He makes treaties and agreement with foreign countries and declares war. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and appoints the Chiefs of three forces Army, Navy, and Air Force. He gives orders to the State government an administration of State. He also appoints Ambassadors and High Commissioners for foreign countries and receives Ambassador from other Countries. Thus the President enjoys the executive powers in the country.

7. Explain the emergency and legislative powers of the President?

The President of Indian can proclaim emergency under three conditions. The President can ask the State Governments to function according to his instructions. Parliament gets the power to make laws in the state list. Fundamental rights of the citizens remain suspended. The Parliament is composed of the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the President. The President can summon prorogue and address the two Houses of Parliament. He gives assent to the bills passed by both the Houses of Parliament. They become laws with his assent. On the advice of the Prime Minister he can dissolve the Lok Sabha and order for fresh elections. He can issue ordinance when the Parliament is not in session. He approves certain bills for introduction in the Union or State legislatures.

8. Explain the financial powers of the President?

Financial Bills cannot be introduced in the Parliament without his approval. He gets the annual financial Statement prepared and submitted to the parliament. He exercises power over the Contingency Fund and Consolidated Fund of India. He appoints Financial Commission for distributing funds between the Central and State Governments.

9. What are the duties and powers of the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the administration of the country. He forms his Cabinet and distributes portfolios among them. He presides over the meetings of the Cabinet. He maintains co-ordination between different departments. As the Chairman of the Planning Commission, he supervises economic policies of the country. He represents the country in the international affairs and visits to foreign countries. He suggests the President to appoint particular persons too many important and key posts. He is not only the leader of the majority party but also the leader of the Parliament. In the crucial situation, he advises the President to proclaim emergency. The President has powers to appoint persons to important posts, but only on the advice of the Prime Minister and the council of minister. This clearly shows that the real powers of appointments rests with the Prime Minister.

10. Explain the role of the Prime Minister as the leader of the Parliament and the country?

The Prime Minister is not only the leader of the majority in the party but also the leader of the Parliament. He announces the national policies and plans. He acts as the leader of the nation during his visits to foreign countries and represents the country in the international meetings, conferences, treaties and alliances. He has the right to form the Council of Ministers and to make distribution of portfolios among them. If any minister disagrees, he can get him removed from the cabinet. The office of the Prime Minister is very important under the Indian Constitution. The Prime Minister is the prime adviser of the President but in practice he exercises all powers. He is the real ruler and leader of the country. If the Prime Minister resigns, the entire Council of Ministers step down. The policies of government are decided under his leadership. He allots work to the different members of the Council of Ministers and acts as a co-ordinator among them. He serves as the link between the President and the Cabinet. So the Prime Minister has absolute powers in the administration of the State and over the Council of Ministers.

11. What are the duties of the Council of Ministers?

The duties of the Council of Ministers which it does through the Cabinet are:- It controls the executive. It takes policy decisions of the government. It distributes subjects among the government departments and coordinates their work. Leader of the Council of Ministers is the Prime Minister.

12. How many types of Ministers at Central level and which are they?

The Council of Ministers at the central level consists of three types of ministers. They are:-
•    Cabinet Ministers
•    State Ministers
•    Deputy Ministers

13. What are the qualifications required for the members of Lok Sabha?

The members of Lok Sabha should be the citizen of India. They should have completed twenty five years of age. They should not be in a post either in State government or in Central government or should not be in receipt of any income from government. They should possess other qualifications prescribed by the Parliament from time to time.

14. Distinguish between the formation of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Lok Sabha is the house of people. Its members are elected directly by the elected members. Rajya Sabha is a federal house. It is also known as upper house. Its members are elected indirectly by the elected members of the legislatures. At present 543 members are elected from States and Union territories based on population. There are members not exceeding 250. At present there are 238 members are elected, 12 members are nominated by the President. The term of Lok Sabha is generally five years. It can be extended by one year during emergency. The term of Rajya Sabha is generally six years. One third members retire every two years. Though Rajya Sabha is an upper house it does not have upper hand over the lower house, Lok Sabha. It enjoys some respect as its members are elders who have gained rich experience. Rajya Sabha is an equal footing and enjoys equal powers with Lok Sabha in many respects. But in financial matters and controlling the executive, its role is less than the Lok Sabha.

15. What are the qualifications of the judge of the Supreme Court?

The President appoints the Chief Justice and in consultation with him the other judges. Parliament has the power to increase the number of judges. The judge of the Supreme Court should possess the following qualifications:-
•    He should be a citizen of India.
•    He should have experience for at least five years as judge of High Courts.
•    He should have experience as advocate in a High Court for not less than ten years.
•    He should be a distinguished jurist.

16. What are the jurisdictions of the Supreme Court?

Being the highest court of appeal in the country, the Supreme Court entertains appeals on the judgements of High Courts. The certificate of the High Court is necessary for appeals relating to civil, criminal and constitutional matters. Such certificates can be granted by the High Courts on their own or on the request of the parties. In nominal cases, the accused can directly appeal to the Supreme Court in case of death sentence or imprisonment of more than ten years.

17. What is judicial review?

The Supreme Court can review any judgement given by itself. The Supreme Court is also given the power to withdraw the case if it feels an important question of law is involved. The power of judicial review is to decide the constitutionality of the acts passed by the legislatures.

18. What are the objectives and advantages of judicial review?

The Supreme Court can review any judgement given by itself to decide the constitutionality of the act passed by the legislature. The advantages of the judicial review are:- the constitutional equilibrium between the Centre and States can be maintained. Equilibrium between the legislature and the executive can be established. The Fundamental Rights of the citizens can be safeguarded.