RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Text book Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Which qualification for being the President of India is a must among the following?
(a) He should be a citizen of India.
(b) His minimum age should be 35 years.
(c) He should have qualifications required for a member of the Lok Sabha.
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 2.
Which is not included in the pardon power of the President?
(a) To change death sentence into life imprisonment.
(b) To change life imprisonment into death sentence.
(c) To pardon life imprisonment completely.
(d) To delay the death sentence.
Answer:
(b) To change life imprisonment into death sentence.

Question 3.
Under the provision of which Article of the constitution, emergency is not declared :
(a) Article 352
(b) Article 356
(c) Article 360
(d) Article 75
Answer:
(c) Article 360

Question 4.
Who is not the part of the Council of Ministers?
(a) Cabinet Minister
(b) Parliamentary secretary
(c) Minister of State
(d) Deputy Minister
Answer:
(b) Parliamentary secretary

Question 5.
Under the provision of which constitutional Article does the President appoint the Prime Minister?
(a) Article 75
(b) Article 74
(c) Article 356
(d) Article 53
Answer:
(b) Article 74

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Who contains all executive powers of the Indian Union?
Answer:
The President contains all executive powers of the Indian Union.

Question 2.
Who was the first President of our country?
Answer:
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of our country.

Question 3.
Who does appoint the Prime Minister?
Answer:
The President appoints the Prime Minister.

Question 4.
Write the two important powers of the Prime Minister.
Answer:

  1. The Prime Minister allocates the departments among the Ministers.
  2. The Prime Minister advises the President in relation to all important appointments.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the process of the election of the President of India.
Answer:
The President of India is elected by the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and elected members of all the legislative Assemblies. The arrangement for the Presidential election is as follows :

Single Transferable Vote System :
The Presidential election is based on the single transitional method of proportional representation. According to this method, it is necessary to get the number of certain votes for the person to be elected. The number of fixed votes is called Quota, which is the majority of the total votes.
Formula for getting Quota :
RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 1
This means that for the Presidential election, the candidate must have received at least a clear majority of the votes cost.

Question 2.
Write a note on the executive powers of the President.
Answer:
Executive Powers of the President: The highest executive power of the union lies in the President. He uses it by himself or by his subordinate officers. All the officers of the union are his subordinate officers. The constitution provides a council of Ministers to the President to give ‘help and counseling’ in conducting of his duties. Its head is the Prime Minister. Unlike the United States, the President of India is only a constitutional head. His executive powers are virtually used by the federal council of Ministers. The President has the following major executive powers :

  1. The entire work of governance will be done in the name of the President.
  2. He can create rules to enable smooth governance.
  3. The President will have complete control over the states ruled by the centre.
  4. He welcomes the ambassadors arriving form other countries and they present their credentials to him.
  5. The appointment of officers of the Indian Union is also done by the President.

Question 3.
Clarify the rights of the President under Article 356.
Answer:
The rights of the President under article 356 :
Following are the rights of the President under article 356 :

  1. In President’s rule, the governor rules on behalf of the President. The President can appoint some delegates to give him suggestions.
  2. All the powers of the state legislature are received by the parliament.
  3. If the sessions of the Lok Sabha is not in progress, then the President may order the expenditure from the accumulated fund.
  4. The state’s governance system is completely under the central government because the state’s cabinet gets dissolved and the power of the executive of the state falls in the hands of the President.

Question 4.
Which special rights have been provided to President?
Answer:
The President has the following special rights :

  1. No person can be prosecuted in any civil or criminal court till the person holds the position of the Presidentship.
  2. Warrant for arrest against President cannot be issued.
  3. He cannot even be arrested.
  4. After giving written notice of 2 months, only civil action can be done against the President.
  5. Upon the death of the former President, his wife will receive half the pension of the retired President and a government house for lifetime.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the election procedure and ordinary powers of the President.
Answer:
President election :
In India, the method of indirect election has been adopted for Presidential election. This election a based on the single transferable voting system. The system is as follows :

Indirect election :
The election of the President in India is indirectly done by such electoral college in which :

  1. The elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
  2. The state legislatures and according to the 70th constitutional amendment, elected members of the legislative assemblies of union territories participate.

Single Transferable voting System :
The Presidential election is done by the elected members of the parliament, the legislative assemblies of the states and the Union territories, on the basis of a Special voting system, which is called the single transferable voting system. In this election voting is done by a secret ballot and it is necessary to get minimum quota for success in elections. The following formula is adopted to determine the minimum quota :
RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 2

General Powers of the President :

  1. The President administers oath to the ministers before they take their charge.
  2. He invites the meetings of the two Houses of Parliament and can also adjourn.
  3. He can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
  4. The President has the right to give an address in separate meeting of the two Houses or in a joint meeting.
  5. On differences in the Houses of Parliament on any bill, the President can call the joint session of the two Houses.
  6. The President can ask clarification from the Prime Minister regarding the decision of a Minister.
  7. Any bill passed by parliament cannot become an act without the President’s signature. In addition to the money bill, he can return the other bills to the Parliament for reconsideration.
  8. When the session of the parliament is not being run and if there is a need of law in any emergency then the President has the right to issue an ordinance. Ordinances have the same effect as the act passed by Parliament.

Thus, constitution makers have presented the President as a nominal head but as a patron of the constitution.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 2.
“Will emergency powers even make the President a dictator?” Explain this statement is context of the President’s emergency powers.
Answer:
Emergency provisions have been mentioned in Article 352 to 360 of part 18 of the Indian constitution. According to which the President can announce three types of emergency :

  1. National emergency (Article 352),
  2. Failure of constitutional mechanism in the state (Article 356),
  3. Financial Emergency (Article 360).

In the constitution, the President’s emergency powers are criticized on many grounds, which makes it clear that under certain circumstances, the President can misuse his power :

  1. Critics say that according to the constitution, the only decisive factor in the crisis situation is the President and the crisis management measures can be applied for one month by the President without asking the parliament. Therefore, in this situation, any ambitious and greedy President can become a dictator by misusing the emergency power but now it is not possible because the President is obliged to follow the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  2.  Under Article 356, the provision of a crisis announcement has been made in the state in context of constitutional mechanism failure, and the fear has been expressed from the beginning that the ruling party of the centre could suppress the governments of the opposition parties in the state through the President. Some examples of this type are also found.
  3. Extensive financial rights were granted to the central executive and the legislative during the crisis period. To maintain the financial stability of the sates, the President can issue any kind of order to the state governments.

In addition to the above criticism, regarding President’s crisis or emergency powers, one criticism is also made that the use of emergency provisions in practice has not been compatible with the expectations and wishes of the constitution makers.

The first type of emergency in practice was unnecessarily applied for long time form 1962 to 1968 and from 1975 to 1977 and on the basis of Article 356, in some cases voluntarily and in some cases unnecessarily, President’s rule was implemented in the states for a long time.

Question 3.
“Prime Minister is like the arch in the council of Ministers around whom all the powers revolve.” Throwing light on this statement, write an essay on the post and powers of the Indian Prime Minister.
Answer:
The post and powers of the Indian Prime Minister :
Prime Minister is one of the most important institutions in India. Article 74 of the constitution makes the provision that there will be a Council of Ministers to assist and give advice to the President, whose head will be Prime Minister and the President will act according to the advice of the council of Ministers.

The appointment of the Prime Minister is the first step in the creation of the council of Ministers. There is an important place of the Prime Minister in the council of Ministers. The Prime Minister presides over all the meetings of the Council of Ministers. In the parliamentary governance Prime Minister is like arch in the Council of Ministers around whom all the powers revolve.

The Prime Minister settles the difference between the Ministers. He advices the President to appoint his Ministers and allot their departments, change or accept their resignation or reject them. This statement of Dr. Jennings is very suitable for the position of Prime Minister “It is appropriate to call the Prime Minister the cornerstone of the entire constitution. The Prime Minister is not only the first of his counterparts, he is not only like the moon between the stars but is like the sun, which is orbited by other planets.” The influence of the Prime Minister in governance depends on his personality. Explaining the importance of the Prime Minister Goldstone has said that “The Prime Minister is the cornerstone of the cabinet building.”

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Following are some important facts about the Prime Minister :

  1. The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is the Prime Minister. He declares the government’s important policies in the House. Not only this, he explains the speeches given by his colleagues in the House. He can also advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
  2. Being the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister is the leader of the country. At the time of elections, he prepares the election manifesto on which the election is contested.
  3. If a dispute arises between two or more Ministers on a subject, then the Prime Minister can mediate and resolve that conflict.
  4. Prime Minister is the chairman of the cabinet. In this way, he preside over all the meetings of the cabinet. In his absence, the seniormost Minister presides over the cabinet.
  5. The Prime Minister acts as a link between the council of Ministers and the President. He himself gives information to the President about the decisions of the council of Ministers. Apart from this, it is the prime duty of the Prime Minister to give the information to the President about the central government’s administrative matters and the proposals to make the law. He conveys the views of the President to the council of Ministers. In this way, he acts as a link between the council of Ministers and the President.
  6. The Prime Minister is the creator of the Federal Council of Ministers, which is normally accepted by the President. The Prime Minister can ask any minister to resign from the office whenever he wants. If the Minister does not resign, then the Prime Minister can resign from the cabinet where in he can leave any old Minister.
  7. All important decisions related to the Union cabinet and other policy making bodies are taken under his supervision. He is the ex-officio chairman of the NITI Ayog.
  8. The Prime Minister can put any decision taken by any Minister for reconsideration in the council of Minsters on the recommendation of the President.
  9. The Prime Minister provides leadership in the functioning of the Parliament. All government bills are prepared according to his inspection and advice.
  10. In the Parliament, the Prime Minister is the main spokesman of the government. The official declaration related to government policy comes only in the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister.
  11. He advises the President in relation to all important appointments.
  12. Prime Minister also acts as a contact medium between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He advises the President when a session of Parliament is to be called, when is it to be suspended and when to be dissolved.
  13. The Prime Minister takes important decisions related to foreign policy and represents India in foreign countries.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Other Important Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
How many parts of government are there?
(a) 5
(b) 4
(c) 3
(d) 2
Answer:
(c) 3

Question 2.
The executive power of the union lies in:
(a) The President
(b) The Prime Minister
(c) The Parliament
(d) The Cabinet
Answer:
(a) The President

Question 3.
The executive remains accountable for its action to :
(a) The Parliament
(b) The Judiciary
(c) The Speaker
(d) The President
Answer:
(a) The Parliament

Question 4.
Which of the following is a country having Parliamentary governance system?
(a) Germany
(b) France
(c) Russia
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer:
(a) Germany

Question 5.
The Presidential system is found in which of the following countries?
(a) Russia
(b) Brazil
(c) France
(d) Japan
Answer:
(b) Brazil

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 6.
Which article has the provision of the Presidential position?
(a) Article 49
(b) Article 50
(c) Article 51
(d) Article 52
Answer:
(d) Article 52

Question 7.
The members of the Presidential election board are:
(a) Prime Minister and Chief Minister
(b) All members of Parliament
(c) Elected members of the state assemblies
(d) Elected members of Parliament and state assemblies
Answer:
(d) Elected members of Parliament and state assemblies

Question 8.
For how many years is the President elected?
(a) 5 years
(b) 4 years
(c) 3 years
(d) 2 years
Answer:
(a) 5 years

Question 9.
Impeachment can be brought against the President in:
(a) The Lok Sabha
(b) The Rajya Sabha
(c) Any House of the Parliament
(d) Any state assembly.
Answer:
(c) Any House of the Parliament

Question 10.
The emergency announcement regarding war, external invasion or armed rebellion is done under which article of the constitution?
(a) Article 356
(b) Article 352
(c) Article 360
(d) Article 75
Answer:
(b) Article 352

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
The Presidential System is found in which countries?
Answer:
The Presidential system is found in The United States of America and Brazil.

Question 2.
Which countries are following the Parliamentary system?
Answer:
Japan, Germany, Italy, Britain, and India, etc. follow the Parliamentary system.

Question 3.
Who is the formal head of the executive?
Answer:
‘The President’ is the formal and constitutional head of the executive.

Question 4.
How many types of executive are there in Parliamentary system of India?
Answer:
Two types:

  1. Formal/ Nominal Executive
  2. Real / Actual executive.

Question 5.
Which article describes the process of impeachment on the President?
Answer:
Article 61 of the constitution describes the process of impeachment on the President

Question 6.
The impeachment can be imposed against the President on which basis?
Answer:
The impeachment can be imposed against the President on the basis of abuse of powers, misconduct and violation of constitution.

Question 7.
What type of majority is required by the Parliament to confirm impeachment against the President?
Answer:
In the two Houses of Parliament, a separate two-thirds of majority is required.

Question 8.
Give the formula for determining the quota of minimum votes in the President’s electoral system.
Answer:
RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 3

Question 9.
Where is the President’s summer residence located?
Answer:
At Chharbra near Shimla.

Question 10.
The President’s summer House located at Chharabra is known as what name?
Answer:
‘The Retreat Building’.

Question 11.
Where is President Nilayam Located?
Answer:
In Hyderabad.

Question 12.
Who all does the president appoint?
Answer:
The President appoints the Attorney General of India, Ambassadors to the foreign countries and Governors of the states.

Question 13.
Under what circumstances the President can issue an ordinance?
Answer:
When parliament’s session is not in progress and law is required, urgendy on an important subject then in such a situation, the President can issue an ordinance.

Question 14.
Who is the fifteenth Prime Minister of India?
Answer:
Sri Narendra Modi is the fifteenth Prime Minister of India.

Question 15.
Which Ministers do not participate in the cabinet meeting?
Answer:
Ministers of State do not participate in the cabinet meeting.

Question 16.
Who is the ‘Head of government’ and ‘ Head of state’ in India?
Answer:
‘Prime Minister’ is the head of government and ‘President’ is the head of state (Nation) in India.

Question 17.
Name the President’s emergency powers.
Answer:

  1. National Emergency
  2. Failure of constitutional mechanism in a state (State Emergency)
  3. Financial Emergency.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the nature of the executive in India.
Answer:
The Nature of the executive in India :
The Parliamentary system is established in India, in which the President is the formal and constitutional head of the executive and under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the council of Ministers is the actual executive. The post of President is considered as the post of dignity and prestige. He is the first citizen of the country and holds highest position in the order of preference (protocol). Article 52 of the constitution describes the post of the President, according to which ‘India will have a President’. According to Article 53, “The executive power of the Union will be vested in the President, which will be used by himself or by his subordinate officers.” Article 74 of the constitution has the provision that “There will be a council of Ministers to assist and give advice to the President whose head will be the Prime Minister and the President will act according to the advice of that council of Ministers.”

Question 2.
How can the President be removed from his office in India?
Or
The President can be removed from his post on the basis of which process?
Or
Describe the process of impeachment on the President.
Answer:
The Process of impeachment on President :
The tenure of the President is 5 years but according to the Article 61 of the constitution, on the violation of the constitution by the President, and by the method given in the constitution, he can be removed from his post by impeachment. Each House of the Indian Parliament has the right to impose impeachment on him. To get the permission to initiate the process of impeachment, one fourth of all the members of the prosecuting house must sign the proposal. It will be considered in the prosecuting house within 14 days after getting receipt of the proposal in the House and if the proposal of the impeachment is accepted by two-thirds of the total number of the house, the proposal is forwarded to the second house.

The second house will either investigate themselves or appoint special committee for this purpose. If the charges against the President are proved by this House and the second House also accepts the proposal of impeachment with at least two-thirds majority of its members, so from the date of acceptance of the proposal, the President will be deemed to be removed from the post.

Question 3.
In the Presidential election, what is the basis of the value of the vote of each member in Parliament and the value of the vote of each member of the state legislative assembly and the Union Legislative Assembly.
Answer:
In the election of the President, the value of the vote of each member in parliament and the value of the vote of each member of the state legislative Assembly and the Union territories legislative Assembly is determined by the following formula :
The value of vote of each member of Parliament in the Presidential election =

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 4
The value of the vote of each member of state/federal legislative Assembly =

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 5

Question 4.
Write a brief comment on the legislative powers of the President.
Answer:
The Legislative powers of the President- Following are the legislative powers of the President:

  • Legislative Administration :
    The President enjoys many powers related to the legislative administration, as he convenes the session of Parliament and announces the end of the session He can dissolve the Lok Sabha before its scheduled term. In the beginning of the session of the Parliament, he convenes a joint meeting of both the Houses of parliament and can give a speech in those meetings.
  • Power of Nomination of members :
    The President has the right to nominate those 12 members in the Rajya Sabha, who have outstanding services in literature, science, arts or any other area. He can also nominate two Anglo-Indian members in the Lok Sabha.
  • Use of privilege on Bill :
    Every Bill approved by the parliament takes the form of law only after the approval of the President. He could return the General Bill with some suggestions to Parliament for reconsideration, but if the Bill is passed by the Parliament with amendment or without amendment, then the President will have to accept it for the second time.
  • Power of issuing ordinance :
    At the time when the session is not in progress, the President has the right to issue. This ordinance remains in force till 6 weeks of the commencement of the session of parliament. But if the parliament wants, the ordinance can be terminated even before this period.

Question 5.
What is an ordinance? Who issues this?
Answer:
Ordinances :
Ordinance is a law different from act which is applied by the President of the country in the situation of any crisis or in exceptional circumstances. Normally, the need for issuing an ordinance occurs when Parliament is not in session and it is necessary to legislate a subject. Ordinance has the same force as normal law. It remains effective only for a certain period. This ordinance is presented to both Houses after the session is convened. Parliament can convert it to law or end it, otherwise, it ends itself after 6 weeks of the parliament session. In the state, same as the center, the governor issues the ordinance when the session of legislature is not is progress.

Question 6.
Which financial powers are given to the President?
Answer:
Financial Rights of President: In India, the President enjoys the following Rights :

  1. Under Article 112, the President presents the details of the Union’s annual income expenditure before the Parliament.
  2. Under Article 113, any kind of money cannot be demanded from the parliament without recommendation of the President.
  3. Under Article 117(1), a Bill related to finance shall not be presented in the parliament without the permission of the President and after passing any Bill, any expenditure from the consolidated fund of India, cannot be considered by any house of the Parliament until the President has recommended to consider it.
  4. Supplementary budget and other additional demands are presented in Parliament with the permission of the President.
  5. The President appoints the members of the finance commission and the comptroller and Auditor General. He presents their reports in the parliament.
  6. The President allocates the income generated from income tax and other taxes between the center and the states, on the basis of recommendations of the finance commission.

Question 7.
Mention the Judicial Powers of the President.
Answer:
The Judicial Powers of the President :
The President has been given some judicial powers by the Indian constitution, which he uses only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. According to Article 72, the President has the right to pardon a convicted person.

The President has the power to forgive, reduce penalties or change the penalty of the persons punished by the court. The President can use these powers in these three types of cases :

  1. In all the cases where a penalty has been given by a military court.
  2. In all the cases where penalties are given for such crimes which come under the executive power of the Union.
  3. For all cases where death sentence is found. The President’s power of pardon shall not have any effect on the power of pardon of the governor of the states and the military officers of the military courts.

Question 8.
What is constitutional emergency? Mention its effect on the state.
Or
Under which circumstances can President’s Rule be implemented in any state?
Answer:
When the President is convinced by the Governor’s report or other sources that the administration of a state is difficult to run in accordance with constitutional provisions, then the President can declare constitutional emergency in the concerned state using Article 356 of the constitution. Constitutional emergency has the following effects on the concerned state :

  1. The governor acts as the President’s representative.
  2. The parliament gets the power to exercise the rights of the state legislature.
  3. The President can postpone or restrict the power of any organization in the state except the jurisdiction of High Court.
  4. In the respective state, other basic rights can be postponed except the right of fife and personal freedom of any citizen.

Question 9.
Can the President of India become a dictator?
Answer:
Given the powers of the Indian President, many people think that he can become a dictator but this idea of people is not right because:

  1. The President of India is a constitutional head, he fulfills a nominal leading role.
  2. The President of India is committed to accept the advice of the council of Ministers. (42nd and 44th constitutional Amendment)
  3. The President of India can be removed from the post after passing the impeachment motion on violation of the constitution.
  4. There is no mechanism to implement President’s rule in the center.
  5. The Parliament has the control over the consdidated fund of India, and the President cannot spend money without the approval of parliament.

Question 10.
Explain the position of the Prime Minister in the Indian Governance System.
Answer:
The Prime Minister’s position in the Indian governance system is similar to that of the British Prime Minister. He leads the executive and the legislature but it is also true that the position and power of the Prime Minister depends on his personality. “The post of the Prime Minister has the same significance as the person holding it wants to make it.”

Constitutionally, the position of the Prime Minister is undisputed in parliament, within his party and on international forums but the dignity of the post of the Prime Minister depends on the existence of the person who is sitting on this post. “Morley” calls the British Prime Minister “the cornerstone of a cabinet building”. This statement is also appropriate in relation to the Indian Prime Minister.

All the observations that have been made in the context of the British Prime Minister are entirely suitable for all Indian Prime Ministers, Since there are parliamentary governments in both the countries.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 11.
How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
Answer:
The appointment of the Prime Minister :
In Article 74 of the Indian constitution, this arrangement has been made that the appointment of the Prime Minister will be done by the President and the President will appoint the other Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. Under Article 75, the President appoints the person as the Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and who gets majority support in the Lok Sabha. If a single party does not get a majority in the Lok Sabha, then the President invites the leader of the biggest national party to form the government at his discretion, and he orders the candidate to prove his majority in a given time period.

It is mandatory for the Prime Minister to be a member of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. If the Prime Minister is not a member of a house when he it appointed, he has to become a member of either house within 6 months.

Question 12.
Explain the position of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers.
Answer:
Position of the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers :

  1. The Prime Minister builds the Council of Ministers.
  2. He divides the departments between the Ministers.
  3. He can demand resignation from Ministers and appoint new persons. The Ministers whom be asks for a resignation, have to give resignation.
  4. He Presides over the meetings of the cabinet.
  5. He speaks and announces all ministerial decisions/policies in the Parliament on behalf of the cabinet.
  6. He co-ordinates the various departments of governance and removes differences of Minister and maintains harmony among them.
  7. He can change the departments of Ministers.

Question 13.
How are the Ministers appointed and their departments allotted?
Answer:
Appointment of Ministers and allocation of their departments: The Prime Minister appoints the members of the the council of Ministers under article 75 of the India constitution. According to 91st constitutional amendment (which was passed in 2003 and approved by the President in 2004), the total number of members of the council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total .members of the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister himself allocates the Departments of the Ministers. The Prime Minister sends the list of his fellow Ministers to the President, which the President approves and administers them an oath too. In the present government, there is a large Council of 78 Ministers including Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Question 14.
Explain the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers of India.
Answer:
The Relationship between the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers :
The relationship between the Prime Minister and the Council of Minister in India can be described in the following manner

  1. The Prime Minister is the base and center point of the Council of Ministers :
    In India, the Prime Minister is the base and center point of the council of Ministers. Existence of the council of Ministers depends on the position of the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister resigns or if the motion of no confidence is passed in the Lok Sabha against him, then the entire council of Ministers has to resign.
  2. Establish co-ordination among Ministers :
    The Prime Minister co-ordinates the activities of various Ministers.
  3. Initiatives in decisions and official statement :
    The Prime Minister takes the initiative in the decision of the cabinet and gives official statements on behalf of the Council of Ministers.

Question 15.
What do you think about collective, responsibility of the council of Ministers?
Answer:
The collective Responsibility of the council of Ministers :
The collective responsibility of the council of Minister implies that Work is divided among different members of the Council of Ministers and different Ministers are responsible for the functions of their department in administrative terms, but there is no personal responsibility of Ministers in front of the Parliament on issues related to policy; rather the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible for this. If the Lok Sabha expresses mistrust against any one departments policies or at the time of considering the Budget then by passing a deduction proposal in relation to the demands of a single department, it is considered to be a distrust of the entire council of Ministers.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 16.
Explain the relationship between the Prime Minister and the parliament
Answer:
The Relationship between the Prime Minister and the Parliament :
The relationship between the Prime Minister and the Parliament is described in the following points

  1. Generally, the Prime Minister is elected from the lower house of the parliament.
  2. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament and is liable to it and the remains in office till its faith.
  3. In Parliamentary system, there is no separation of powers between the executive and the legislature. Thus the real executive, i.e., the Council of Ministers is taken from the parliament and the Prime Minister is the head of the council of Ministers.
  4. In the affairs of the country’s administration and policy related matters, he is responsible for both the Houses of parliament.
  5. The Prime Minister advises the President as to when parliament session should be convened, when should it be suspended and dissolved.
  6. The Prime Minister also ensures that which Bill should be presented in parliament according to the cabinet’s decision and to face the opposition party’s criticism.

Question 17.
“The Prime Minister is a link between the Parliament and the cabinet” Explain the statement
Answer:
The Prime Minister acts as a link between the Parliament and the cabinet. He is the main spokesman for the government in parliament. The Prime Minister leads the parliament due to being the leader of the majority party or group of parties. In such circumstances, when the Prime Minister is not a member of the Lok Sabha and is a member of the Rajya Sabha, In the Lok Sabha, he is not the leader of his party but practically he provides leadership to the Lok Sabha and he is also the leader of the Lok Sabha. It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to declare important policy decisions. The Prime Minister intervenes in the debate of general importance in the parliament and speaks to defend and clarify the government’s policy.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 18.
Describe the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister in India.
Answer:
The Relationship between the President and the Prime Minister in India :
In India, the powers of governance are used the by the Prime Minister in coordination with the council of Ministers while the President of India keeps himself separate from the general functions of the government. He acts as the guide and path exhibitor of the Prime Minister in practice, as:

  1. The Prime Minister’s responsibility is to make the President aware of the activities related to the government when it is expected by the President.
  2. The President can direct the Prime Minister to present the decision taken by a Minster of consideration before the council of Ministers.
  3. The Prime Minister works as the contact medium between the President and the Council of Ministers.
  4. If the President wants to be convinced whether the Prime Minister has the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha or not, he can direct the Prime Minister to get the confidence of the Lok Sabha. After the implementation of the constitution in India, there has been cordial relations between the President and the Prime Minister. Despite some differences, there have been no conflicts between the two constitutional posts.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the process of Presidential Election.
Answer:
The Process of Presidential election :
The description of the Presidential election process of India is presented under the following points :
i. Indirect Election :
The President of India is elected by the Public by indirect election method, not by direct election method.

ii. Electoral college :
The President is elected by an electoral college. According to Article 54 of the constitution, in the electoral Board of the President:

  1. Elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament and
  2. The elected members of the legislative Assemblies of states and legislative assemblies of the union territories participate.

iii. Value of votes of each member of the electoral college :
This provision has been made in Article 55 of the constitution that, as far as possible, in the election of the President, the measurement of the representation of different states will be uniform on the basis of population, and there will be equality in all states and union territories. A formula has been adopted for maintaining equality and uniformity in all states and union territories. According to this formula, the value of vote of each member will be determined by following manner

  • The value of vote of any member of the legislative Assembly :
    Each elected member of a state Legislative Assembly will have as many votes, as many as 1000 multiples of that quotient, which come from dividing the population of the state by the total number of elected members of that House. If after taking the above multiples of 1000, the remainder is not less than 500, then one will be added to the number of votes of each member, as :
    The value of vote of one member of the legislative assembly =
    RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 6
  • The value of vote of each member of Parliament :
    Thus, when the number of votes of all the states is received, then the sum of all of them divided by the total number of elected members of both houses of Parliament, the number which will be received, will be the number of votes of each member of parliament. An incomplete number which is more than half will be considered one and the less will be left, as :
    The value of vote of each member of Parliament =
    RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 7

iv. Single Transferable voting system by secret ballots :
The President is elected by the elected members of parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories by a special voting system, which is called the single transferable voting system. In this election, polling is done by a secret ballot. The names of Presidential candidates are printed on a ballot paper and a space is left next to the name for preference polling. The voter can write preference of his choice in the number before the name of the candidates contesting the election.

v. Counting of votes :
counting of votes begins after voting. The following Procedure is adopted in the regard :

  • Determination of minimum vote count (Quota) in election :
    To achieve success in the election, it will be necessary for the candidate to get a minimum quota. This formula is adopted to determine the minimum quota :
    Minimum Quata =
    RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21english medium - 8
  • The provision of minimum quota has been done so that only after receiving an apparent majority, a person can get the post of President.

Vi. Process of counting votes :
First of all, the votes are calculated in the sequence of priority and if any candidate does not get the same amount as the value of votes of the prescribed election quota in the calculation of votes of first preference, then the candidate who receives the least votes is declared defeated, and the votes of these ballots are added to the votes of the remaining candidates on the basis of second preference. If someone does not get a fixed quota in the second calculation, then the third and fourth counts are done. Thus, this sequence of calculations continues till a candidate gets the certain required mandate.

Question 2.
Explain the process of impeachment in detail.
Answer:
The Process of Impeachment: Impeachment is a judicial process by which a public servant who is in high post, such as the President of India can be ousted from the post on grounds of violation of the constitution, misconduct or misuse of powers. According to article 61 of the constitution, on the violation of the constitution by the President, according to the method given in the constitution, he can be removed from his post by impeachment. Each House of the Indian Parliament has the right to initiate impeachment on him. In order to initiate impeachment, the signature of 1/4th members of the total number of the prosecuting house is a must.

For such proposal of the House, it is necessary to give written notice to the President at least before 14 days in advance. After 14 days of initiating impeachment, it will be considered in the prosecuting house. If it is approved by two- thirds of all members of the house. Then it is sent to the second house of Indian parliament, the second house will either investigate these accusations itself or appoint a committee for this action. The President has the right to participate in the investigation of impeachment by being present in the house or by any of his representatives and take his side.

If the allegations against the President are proved in the house and the second house also accepts the proposal of impeachment by at least two-thirds majority of its members, then the proposal will be accepted. From the date of acceptance of the proposal, The President shall be considered dismissed. It is remarkable is this regard that even during this period, he will continue to work on his post with full powers.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

Question 3.
Describe the powers and functions of the President
Answer:
The powers and function of the President :
According to the constitution, the President is the highest office bearer of the country; He acts as the Head of the nation. The powers of the President can be divided into two parts
I. General Powers
II. Crisis / Emergency powers.

I. General Powers: Following are the general powers of the President.
1. Executive Powers :
Being the President of the federal executive, the President is the supreme commander of the armed forces. He has right to declare or peace at any time. As right of appointment, the President appoints Ministers, Governors, ambassadors, judges of the state High Court and Supreme Court judges, members of the Union Public service commission, Attorney General, Election Commissioner, Comptroller and Auditor General, Chairman of Scheduled Caste / Tribal Commission, heads of Minorities and Backward Classes Commission, etc.

2. Legislative Powers :
The National federal legislative is formed by both the Houses of the Parliament and the President, the Powers of the President in this regard are as follows :

  • He works to summon, postpone and prorogate both the Houses. The President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
  • He can convene a joint meeting of the two houses on a disputed bill.
  • He nominates 2 members in the Lok Sabha and 12 members in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The President gives the address at the beginning of the new session every year and after the formation of the new Lok sabha on the first session.
  • The signature of the President is compulsory on each bill passed in the parliament.
  • The President has the right to issue an ordinance under Article 123.
  • The President’s Rule can be implemented, in case of constitutional mechanism failure in states under article 356.

3. Judicial Powers:
Under section 72, the President has the powers of reducing the sentence of a convicted person, suspending sentence, waiving off the death sentence, etc.

4. Financial powers :
Prior to the start of each financial year, the annual financial statement and supplementary budget to be presented on the table of the Parliament comes under the authority of the President. No money bill can be presented in parliament without the permission of the President. He distributes the receipts of income tax between the states and the center. In emergency, the task of extracting money from contingency funds, is made by the President. He has the right to appoint finance commission.

II. Emergency Powers :
Emergency powers Eire described under article 352, 356 and 360. The Financial emergency can be implemented in National level under Article 352, and in state level in the form of ‘President Rule’ under Article 356 and 360 :

  • National Emergency :
    Under Article 352 of the constitution, it has been mentioned that when the President believes that there is a crisis for of the security of India or any part of India due to external aggression or armed internal rebellion, then he can declare an emergency in the entire country or any part of it.
  • Constitutional failure in states :
    In Article 356 of the constitution, it has been mentioned that the President can declare constitutional crisis in a state on the basis of the report submitted by the governor of the state or if he believes that the state is not being governed according to the provision of the constitution, such announcement of the President will be placed within 2 months before parliament where approval by both houses is necessary. The President’s rule cannot remain for more than 3 years in any state in any situation.
  • Financial emergency :
    under Article 360 of the constitution, it is mentioned that if the President believes that the financial stability or good will of India or any part of it is in crisis then he can declare an emergency in the country or any part of it. Approval of such announcement is necessary within 2 months from the Parliament. The salary can be deducted of all officers including the judges, at the time of financial emergency. However, there has been no need to apply a single financial emergency till date in the country.

In conclusion, it can be said that, in normal times and in times of crises, the President enjoys broad powers but he does not make actual use of these powers. Due to constitutional provisions and traditions, he can use these powers only on the advice of the Prime Minister and the council of ministers. For this reason, the President is a symbol of honour, being the head of the nation but is not a symbol of power being the head of government.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 21 Federal Executive, Presidential Election and Powers, Prime Minister-Position and Functions

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science