Indian Polity & Constitution Quiz: Executive (Union and State) | 14th Jan, 2021

The fundamental principle underlying the working of parliamentary system of government is the principle of collective responsibility.
•Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
•This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of ommission and commission. They work as a team and swim or sink together.
•When the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the council of ministers, all the ministers have to resign including those ministers who are from the Rajya Sabha.
Source: Laxmikanth

The role of Cabinet:
•It is the highest decision-making authority in our politico-administrative system.
•It is the chief policy formulating body of the Central government.
•It is the supreme executive authority of the Central government.
•It is chief coordinator of Central administration.
•It is an advisory body to the president and its advice is binding on him.
Source: Laxmikanth

The following four are the more important cabinet committees:
•The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs.
•The Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates the governmental activities in the economic sphere.
•Appointments Committee decides all higher level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.
•Parliamentary Affairs Committee looks after the progress of government business in the Parliament.
Source: Laxmikanth

The following four are the more important cabinet committees:
•The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs.
•The Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates the governmental activities in the economic sphere.
•Appointments Committee decides all higher level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.
•Parliamentary Affairs Committee looks after the progress of government business in the Parliament.
The first three committees are chaired by the Prime Minister and the last one by the Home Minister. Of all the Cabinet Committees, the most powerful is the Political Affairs Committee, often described as a “Super-Cabinet”.
Source: Laxmikanth

Articles 79 to 122 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, powers and so on of the Parliament.
Source: Laxmikanth

The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which, 238 are to be the representatives of the states and union territories (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the president.
•At present, the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Of these, 229 members represent the states, 4 members represent the union territories and 12 members are nominated by the president.
•The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories.
Source: Laxmikanth

If the Rajya Sabha declares that it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should make laws on a matter in the State List, then the Parliament becomes competent to make laws on that matter.
•Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting.
•The resolution remains in force for one year; it can be renewed any number of times but not exceeding one year at a time.
•The laws cease to have effect on the expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.
Source: Laxmikanth

Oath or Affirmation by the President.
Before entering upon his office, the President has to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation. In his oath, the President swears:
•to faithfully execute the office;
•to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law; and
•to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India.
Source: Laxmikanth

The term of the Prime Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the president.
•However, this does not mean that the president can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time.
•So long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support in the Lok Sabha, he cannot be dismissed by the President.
•The Constitution does not contain any specific procedure for the selection and appointment of the Prime Minister.
•Article 75 says only that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president.
Source: Laxmikanth

The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members (as soon as may be, after its first sitting).
•Whenever the office of the Speaker falls vacant, the Lok Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
•The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.
Source: Laxmikanth