Question 1

How is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha?

Accepted Answer

The Lok Sabha exercises more powers than the Rajya Sabha: (i) Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses. But if there is a difference between the two Houses, the final decision is taken in a joint session in which members of the Houses sit together. Since the Lok Sabha has a larger number of members, their view is likely to prevail in such a meeting. (ii) The Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money-related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes.

Question 2

Describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India.

Accepted Answer

There is no direct election to the post of the Prime Minister. The President appoints the Prime Minister. But the President cannot appoint anyone he likes. He appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as Prime Minister. In case no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure a majority support. The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure. He continues in power so long as he remains the leader of the majority party or coalition. Since the Prime Minister is the head of the government, he enjoys wide-ranging powers : (i) He chairs Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are final in case disagreements arise between Departments. (ii) He exercises general supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under his leadership. (iii) The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. (iv) He also has the power to dismiss ministers. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits. Thus, the Prime Minister is the most powerful person within the Cabinet.

Question 3

Describe the three categories of ministers which constitute the Council of Ministers.

Accepted Answer

The Council of Ministers is the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers. It usually has 60 to 80 Ministers of different ranks (i) Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties who are in-charge of the major ministries. Usually the Cabinet Ministers meet to take decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers. Cabinet is thus the inner ring of the Council of Ministers. It comprises about 20 ministers. (ii) Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited. (iii) Ministers of State are attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers.

Question 4

What are the powers and functions of the Parliament?

Accepted Answer

The Parliament consists of two houses i.e. Lol Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the lower house with a maximum strength of 552 members, out of which 530 members represent the State, 20 members represent the Union Territories and 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community. The important functions of the Lok Sabha are:1) Legislative Function: The primary function of Parliament is a law making function. Lok Sabha plays an important part. It can pass bills concerning to all those subject which have been included in Union and Concurrent list. No bill can become law unless it has been passed by Lok Sabha. In case of any disagreement between the two Houses, the will of Lok Sabha will prevail in joint sitting with the Rajya Sabha because Lok Sabha has more members than Rajya Sabha.2) Financial Power: The power of control over the finances by the Lok Sabha is powerful. The money bill has to be introduced in the Lok Sabha first, and when passed by the Lok Sabha it is to be transmitted to Rajya Sabha for the recommendation. It is upon the Lok Sabha to accept or not to accepts the recommendations. The Lok Sabah alone has the exclusive power of sanctioning all government expenditures.3) Executive Control: The Constitution provides that ' Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.' Thus, the Government is accountable to the Lok Sabha for its acts. It is only the Lok Sabha which can pass a no-confidence vote against the Council of Ministers and force them to resign. 4) Electoral Function: The Lok Sabha members are part of the electoral college for the election of President. The members of Lok Sabha also elect the Vice-President. It elects the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. There are more other functions of the Lok Sabha like redressal of grievances, judicial functions and miscellaneous functions.

Question 5

Who among the following is a part of Political Executive?

Accepted Answer

Out of the given option Home minister is the political executive. One that is elected by the people for a specific period is called the political executive.

Question 6

Explain the power and functions of the Supreme Court.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court is the Apex court of India. The judges of Supreme court are appointed by the President in consultation with such other judges of the supreme court and high court. The Supreme Court is primarily a court of appeal though it hears cases in the original jurisdiction. It is the last resort in case of appeals. It is the guarantor and guardian of Fundamental Rights and exercises the power of judicial review to check the actions of legislative and administrative authority. It has the power of giving an advisory opinion to the President in certain matters. It hears interstates disputes and disputes between center and states. It issues writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights and hears PIL (Public Interest Legislation).

Question 7

Who was the first woman prime Minister of India?

Accepted Answer

Indira Gandhi was the first women Prime Minister of India who served for three consecutive terms. She succeeded Lal Bahadur Shastri as the PM. Indira Gandhi was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru. She was the second longest serving Indian PM and was a central figure of Indian National Congress.

Question 8

State any one reason why the President is elected indirectly.

Accepted Answer

Under the system of Parliamentary Democracy present in India, the President is only the nominal executive and the real power resides with the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister which is the real executive. The President is elected indirectly as spending huge amount of money, time and other resources for direct election of the nominal executive was not considered necessary by our Constitution makers.

Question 9

Why is the President of India referred to as a Nominal Head of the State?

Accepted Answer

The President is the head of the state. All the important decisions are taken in his name. But he is known as de jure head or nominal Head of the State because, in reality, power is exercised by the council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Also, the President works on the suggestions by the PM.

Question 10

Explain any five powers of Lok Sabha.

Accepted Answer

The power of the House of the People are as under.(1) Legislative Powers: Main function of fthe House of People is framing of Laws. As per the Constitution, powers of House of People and Council of States are equal in respect of framing of laws but in practice the House of People is more powerful. Generally all important bills are presented only in the House of People.(2) Financial Powers: The Constitution has made the House of People powerful so far as financial matters are concerned. Finance bills are initiated in the House of People only-Although finance bills are sent to the Council of States after passing by the House of people but the Council of State have to accord sanction to the Finance bills within $14$ days.(3) Control over the Executive: According to the Constitution the Council of Ministers is responsible to the House of the People. The Council of Ministers can be functional till it enjoys the confidence of the House of People. The members of the House of People exercise control over the Government by asking questions in the House, bringing motion of adjournment or no confidence in respect of Government policies.(4) Amendment in Constitution: The House of People(the Lok Sabha) and the Council of States(the Rajya sabha) together can make amendment in the Constitution.(5) Election of the President and the Vice President: The President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.(6)  Miscellaneous functions: (a) Lok Sabhya can bring a motion of impeachment of the President.(b) It can discuss the proposal passed by the Council of States for removal of the Vice President.(c) It can discuss the proposal for the impeachment of the Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.(d) It is necessary for the Lok Sabha (House of People) to confirm the emergency proclaimed by the President within a month otherwise such proclamation shall automatically be nullified.