The Executive Power of the Indian Union is vested in the President

Union Executive (10)

The Executive Power of the Indian Union is vested in the President. In this context, answer the following:

  1. How is the President of India elected? State the composition of the Electoral College that elects him.
  2. Explain any three Discretionary Powers of the President.
  3. Mention any four Executive Powers of the President.

Answer

(a) 1. President is elected indirectly by the members of an electoral college. /single transferable vote/proportional representation.

2. Composition of Electoral college:

  • Elected members of both houses [LS and RS] of parliament
  • Elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states including the national capital territory of Delhi and the union territory of Puducherry.
  • OR MPs and MLAs

(b) The discretionary powers:

  • Where he uses his wisdom and judgement.
  • Dissolution of Lok Sabha during constitutional crisis
  • Explore possibilities of alternative government at the centre
  • Dismissal of ministers when the government collapses due to No confidence.
  • Appointment of the PM where no single party commands
  • Appointment of PM in case of death
  • May withhold assent to an ordinary bill or send it back for reconsideration
  • No time limit within which he is to declare his assent/refusal of bill.

(c) The Executive powers:

  • Head of the Union administration/ administration of the country runs in his house/ All orders are issued in his name
  • Appointment of officials of the state
  • Control over state governments during emergency
  • And Union territories and border areas/exercises power through an administrator appointed by the President.

Appoints the

  • Attorney General
  • Auditor General
  • Ambassador
  • Members of UPSC
  • Judges of High Court and Supreme Court
  • Members of the Planning Commission
  • Election Commissioner
  • Governors of State
  • PM and the Council of Ministers.
  • Exam Year: 2020