The Indian Government
• India has a parliamentary form of Government, both at the central and state level.
• The President of India is the Head of State or Chief Executive.
Parliamentary Form of Government
• It is a system where executive is a part of the legislature and is answerable to the legislature.
• According to the constitution, powers and functions of the government are divided into three branches
- Legislature (makes laws)
- Executive (enforces laws)
- Judiciary (interprets laws)
Distribution of Power between Union and State Leqislatures:-
• The subjects for making laws are divided between Union and State governments.
• The Constitution provides for three lists.
- Union List
- State List
- Concurrent List
• Union List includes matters of national importance on which only Union Parliament can make laws.
• State List includes the matters of regional importance on which the State Legislatures can make laws.
• Concurrent List includes the matters of national and regional importance on which both, the Central and State Legislatures can make laws.
The Union Parliament:-
• Law-making body of the Central Government.
• It has two houses.
- Lok Sabha (House of People)
- Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
• Thus, it is a bicameral legislature.
• President is an integral part of the Parliament.
Lok Sabha (Lower House):-
Composition of Lok Sabha:-
Maximum strength of 552 members.
• 550 elected members.
• 2 nominated members
Basic Qualifications of Members of Lok Sabha:-
A member should be,
• A citizen of India
• At least 25 years of age
• A registered voter
Voting by Secret Ballot:-
• For the purpose of elections, the country is divided into constituencies.
• Voting is done through Secret Ballot.
Universal Adult Franchise:-
• Voters must be at least 18 years of age.Term of Lok Sabha:-
• Lok Sabha is elected for a 5-year term.
• Dissolution:- President can dissolve Lok Sabha before the term expires if the party in power loses the support of the majority.
• Extension:- Term of Lok Sabha can be extended for 1 year at a time in case of a national emergency.
Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha:-
The Speaker is the presiding officer of Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha (Upper House):-
Composition of Rajya Sabha:-
• Maximum strength 250 members
• 238 elected members.
• 12 nominated members.
Basic Qualifications of Members of Rajva Sabha:-
Members of Rajya Sabha should be,
• Citizens of India.
• At least 30 years of age
• Registered voters.
Term of Rajya Sabha:-
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent house.
• It cannot be dissolved by the President.
Presiding officer of Rajya Sabha:-
• Vice-President is the presiding officer or the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
Functions of Parliament:-
Law making functions:-
• It can frame new laws and modify the existing laws.
• Money bills are approved by the Parliament.
• It can introduce a bill to amend the constitution.
Budget:-
• It passes budget for every financial year.
Control over Executive:-
• It has control over Council of Ministers who have to resign if a no-confidence vote is passed against it by the Lok Sabha.
• It can also discuss policies.
Judicial Functions:-
• It can impeach or remove President, Vice-President and judges of the courts.
Elective Functions:-
• It plays an important role in election of President and Vice-President.
Sessions of Parliament:-
- Parliament meets at least twice a year.
- Quoram must be present for a session to take place.