The President
The President
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5. The President and the Vice-President
Section B — Chapter 2
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1
Answer
The President
Question 2
1. The President
2. The Defence Minister
3. The Prime Minister
4. The Vice-President
Answer
The President
Question 3
Which of the following statements about the President of India are correct?
R : The President exercises his/her powers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
1. P and Q
2. P and R
3. P and S
4. S and R
Answer
P and R
Question 4
Identify the qualifications necessary for a person to be eligible for election as President of India.
R : Is a citizen of India.
1. Q and R
2. P and R
3. S and R
4. P and Q
Answer
Q and R
Question 5
Identify the officials who form the electoral college for the election of President of India.
1. P and Q
2. R and S
3. P and R
4. Q and S
Answer
P and Q
Question 6
Answer
Droupadi Murmu
Question 7
Which of the following statements about the President of India are correct?
Q : The President of India may submit his resignation to the Vice-President of India.
R : The President of India can be removed from office for the violation of the Constitution.
S : The President of India has the power of selecting the Council of Ministers.
1. P and S
2. Q and S
3. Q and R
4. Q and P
Answer
Q and R
Question 8
Q : The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha and order fresh elections.
R : The President can nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian Community to the Lok Sabha.
1. R and S
2. P and R
3. Q and S
4. P and Q
Answer
P and Q
Question 9
R: The President can proclaim National Emergency if there is a danger of foreign aggression, civil war, insurgency or any other cause.
S: The President can proclaim Financial Emergency if there is a setback to the financial stability of the country.
1. P and S
2. R and S
3. R and Q
4. P and R
Answer
R and S
Question 10
The power to summon Parliament is subject to the condition that there should not be a gap of more than ............... months between two session
of each house.
1. Four
2. Six
3. Three
4. Nine
Answer
Six
Question 11
1. 1 month
2. 2 months
3. 6 months
4. 3 months
Answer
6 months
Question 12
Answer
Question 13
Identify the officials who form the electoral college for the election of the Vice-President of India.
1. P and S
2. P and Q
3. R and S
4. Q and S
Answer
P and S
Question 14
Which of the following statements about the Vice-President of India are correct?
1. P and Q
2. Q and S
3. R and S
4. Q and R
Answer
Q and R
Question 15
1. Issuing ordinances
2. Appointing the Prime Minister
3. Granting assent to bills passed by Parliament
4. Addressing the nation on Independence Day
Answer
Question 16
Ms Anita Singh's nomination for the election as the Vice-President of India was rejected even though she had the qualifications of being a citizen
of India and not being a member of the Parliament and State Legislature. On what ground was she disqualified?
1. For being below the age of thirty-five.
2. For being qualified to be a Member of Parliament.
3. For not holding a office of profit.
4. For her mother not being a citizen of India.
Answer
Question 1
(A) No Bill can become a law without the assent and the signature of the Prime Minister.
(R) Money Bills can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President.
Answer
Explanation: A Bill becomes a law only after the assent and signature of the President, not the Prime Minister.
Question 2
(A) The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
(R) The Vice-President gets the salary in the capacity of the Vice-President only and not as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer
Explanation: The Vice-President gets the salary and allowances in his capacity as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, not as the Vice-President.
Question 3
(A) The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and order fresh elections.
(R) The President of India has the power to summon both the Houses of Parliament after a gap of more than six months.
Answer
Explanation: The President can dissolve only the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.
The Constitution mandates that the gap between two sessions of Parliament must not exceed six months. Therefore, the President of India has the
power to summon both the Houses of Parliament, but there should not be a gap of more than six months between the two sessions.
Question 4
(A) The President uses discretionary judgement to appoint the Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Parliament.
(R) The President cannot appoint a new Prime Minister on the advice of the outgoing Prime Minister, who may have lost the election or the
support of the House.
Answer
Explanation: The President uses discretionary judgement to appoint the Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha
(not the Parliament).
Hence, Assertion (A) is inaccurate as the Rajya Sabha has no role in the appointment of the Prime Minister.
Question 1
Name the body as well as the process involved in the election of the President.
Answer
Question 2
Answer
1. If the President were to be elected directly by the people, he could become a rival centre of power to the
Council of Ministers. This would be against the parliamentary system with ministerial responsibility.
2. Since the membership in the two Houses of Parliament was likely to be dominated by one party, election of
the President merely by a majority of members of the Union Parliament could make him a nominee of the
ruling party like the Prime Minister. Such a President could not represent the constituent States of the Union.
3. The President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the elected members of the two Houses of
Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of the States. This makes the President the elected representative of
the whole nation with a clear voice given to the States as well.
Question 3
How can the President vacate his/her office? On what grounds can the President of India be removed from office?
Answer
The President can vacate his office by either of the following procedures-
1. The President may submit his resignation letter to the Vice-President, in order to resign his office. Such
resignation will be communicated by the Vice-President to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. The President may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of
impeachment.
The President may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of impeachment.
Question 4
Mention the occasion when the President addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together.
Answer
The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together for the first session after each General Election to the Lok Sabha and at
the commencement of the first session of each year. In this address he lays emphasis on the internal and external policies of the Government.
The President has the power to address either House of Parliament or their joint sitting at any time.
Question 5
Read the following headline that appeared in The Economic Times, April 23, 2020 and answer the question that follow:
"COVID-19: Prez Ram Nath Kovind gives nod for promulgating ordinance to punish those attacking healthcare workers."
Under which conditions can the President promulgate an Ordinance?
Answer
1. The President must be satisfied that circumstances make it necessary for him/her to take immediate action.
2. An Ordinance can be promulgated at a time when both Houses of Parliament are not in session. However, if
one House is in session, there is no bar in issuing of Ordinances.
3. The Ordinance so promulgated should be laid before both Houses of Parliament when they reassemble. If the
Parliament does not approve the Ordinance, it lapses. If an ordinance is not disapproved, it will automatically
cease to operate at the end of six weeks from the date the Parliament re-assembles.
4. The Ordinance lapses if it is replaced by an Act of Parliament.
Question 6
Answer
An Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament elects the Vice-President.
1. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single
transferable vote.
2. The voting at such an election is by secret ballot.
3. Each nomination paper should be proposed by at least twenty electors (MPs) and another twenty electors
should second the same.
Question 7
How long can the Vice-President continue to hold office even after the expiry of his/her term? How can the Vice-President be removed from
office?
Answer
The Vice-President shall continue to hold office, notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until his successor enters upon his office.
1. He may, by writing, addressed to the President, resign his office. Such resignation will be communicated by
the President to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. He may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of impeachment.
Question 8
State the power of Vice-President as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer
The Vice-President of the Indian Union acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
1. In this capacity he regulates debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches.
2. He decides the admissibility of a resolution or of questions.
3. He may suspend or adjourn the business of the House in case of grave disorder.
4. He issues directions to the chairmen of various committees in all matters relating to their working.
Question 9
Mention the ways in which the Vice-President's office is a unique feature of the Indian Constitution.
Answer
The Vice President is the second head of the Union Executive. He is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Union Legislature). Thus,
he has two distinct and separate offices. This dual capacity is one of unique features of the Indian Constitution.
Question 10
The excerpt given below shows which feature of the Indian Constitution: Unitary or Federal? Give a reason to support your answer.
The Raj Bhavan (Kerala), in an official communication, said, "Hon'ble President of India has withheld assent to the following Bills which
Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan had referred to Rashtrapati Bhavan for consideration. ....Of the seven bills which Governor Arif
Mohammed Khan referred to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in November last year, assent has been accorded to only one Bill, namely, Kerala
Lokayukta Amendment Bill 2022. Decision on other three Bills is awaited."
— Indian Express February 29, 2024
Answer
Although India has a federal structure, certain provisions in the Constitution give greater authority to the Union Government. One such unitary
feature is that the Governor of a State can reserve a Bill passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President of India.
The President may give or withhold assent to such Bills, thereby exercising control over State legislation. This indicates that the States are not
fully sovereign in their law-making powers, and the ultimate authority lies with the Centre, which is a unitary characteristic of the Constitution.
Structured Questions
Question 1
The President of India enjoys vast powers. In this context, briefly explain:
Answer
1. Head of the Union Administration — All executive orders are issued in the name of the President. All the
Union officials are his subordinates.
2. Control over State Governments — The Union Government may give necessary directions to a State.
During President's rule the control of the Union Government over States is complete.
3. Union Territories and Border Areas — The administration of the Union Territories and the Border Areas is
the responsibility of the President.
1. Addresses Sessions of Parliament — The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled
together for the first session after each General Election to the Lok Sabha and at the commencement of the
first session of each year. In this address he lays emphasis on the internal and external policies of the
Government. The President has the power to address either House of Parliament or their joint sitting at any
time.
2. Messages to Parliament — He has the power to send messages to either House of Parliament either in the
regard to any pending Bill or to any other matter.
3. Dissolve the Lok Sabha — He can dissolve the Lok Sabha and order fresh elections. Rajya Sabha is a
permanent body, not subject to dissolution.
1. The President is not answerable before any court of law for the exercise of the powers and duties of his
office.
2. No criminal suit can be initiated against him during his tenure of office.
Question 2
According to Dr. Ambedkar, "The President represents the nation but does not rule the nation." In this context answer the following questions:
(a) The President of India is referred to as a nominal head of the State. State two examples of legislative powers that suggest his/her nominal
status.
(b) Mention the circumstances when the President can declare a national emergency.
Answer
(a) The President of India is referred to as a nominal head of the State because of the following reasons-
1. According to the Constitution, the President is required to exercise his powers on the aid and advice of the
Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers.
2. All proclamations of emergency made by the President have to be approved by the Parliament within one
month. If it is not approved then it ceases to exist.
(b) The President can declare a national emergency in case of danger of foreign aggression or danger to the peace and security of the country
because of a civil war, insurgency or any other such cause (Article 352).
(c) Two discretionary powers of the President are-
1. When the ruling party who has lost majority support in the Lok Sabha or when a vote of no-confidence may
have been passed against it, recommends to the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, then it is at the
discretion of the President to either dissolve the House or ask another party to prove its majority on the floor
of the House.
2. The President can dismiss Ministers in case the Council of Ministers loses the confidence of the House but
refuses to resign.
Question 3
The President may declare an emergency in a State, if he/she is convinced of the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State. In this
context, answer the following questions:
(a) When can such an emergency be proclaimed? Why is such an emergency often referred to as President's Rule?
(b) What is the duration of such an emergency? State two conditions under which such an emergency can be extended beyond one year.
(c) State the effect of the emergency on the administration of the State.
Answer
(a) If the President, on receipt of a report from the Governor or otherwise, is satisfied that the governance of a State cannot be carried on in
accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he may declare an emergency in the State. This is called President's rule because the
President may assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State.
(c) The effect of the emergency on the administration of the State is as follows-
1. The State administration is directly placed under the President (i.e. the Union Government). The Governor of
the concerned State acts in accordance with the instructions that are issued by the Union Government from
time to time.
2. The President may:
i. dissolve the Vidhan Sabha of the State and dismiss the Council of Ministers
ii. keep the Assembly and the Council of Ministers in suspended animation.
In both cases, the Union Parliament can pass laws, even on all the Subjects of the State List, for that
particular State. Even the Annual Budget of that State is presented to and passed by the Parliament.
3. When the Lok Sabha is not in session the President may authorise expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund
of the State.
4. The President may suspend the provision of the Constitution relating to any authority of the State except
those relating to High Courts.
Question 4
According to Article 63 of our Constitution "There shall be a Vice-President of India". In this context, state:
Answer
(a) An Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament elects the Vice-President.
1. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single
transferable vote.
2. The voting at such an election is by secret ballot.
3. Each nomination paper should be proposed by at least twenty electors (MPs) and another twenty electors
should second the same.
1. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — The Vice-President of the Indian Union acts as the ex-officio Chairman of
the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity he regulates debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order
of speeches. He decides the admissibility of a resolution or of questions. He may suspend or adjourn the
business of the House in case of grave disorder. He issues directions to the chairmen of various committees
in all matters relating to their working.
2. Taking over as the President — The Vice-President takes over the office of the President under the
following situations:
i. death of the President
ii. resignation of the President
iii. removal of the President
iv. when the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause.
Picture Study
Question 1
(c) Why is it said that the President of India is only a nominal head?
Answer
(a) The then Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V. Ramana is administering the Oath of Office to President Droupadi Murmu.
1. is a citizen of India
2. has completed the age of thirty-five years
3. is qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
(c) The President of India is referred to as the nominal head of the state because India follows a parliamentary system of Government.
1. According to the Constitution, the President is required to exercise his powers on the aid and advice of the
Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers.
2. All proclamations of emergency made by the President have to be approved by the Parliament within one
month. If it is not approved then it ceases to exist.
Thinking Skills
Question 1
Suppose you have a penfriend who lives in Los Angeles in the USA. He/She wants to know the difference in powers of the Presidents of India
and the USA. Tell him/her the differences and also who has more powers.
Answer
The difference in powers of the Presidents of India and the USA are:
President of President of
India USA
Indian president is
elected indirectly
by the elected US president is
members of elected directly
Parliament and by US citizens.
State Legislative
Assemblies.
US President is
Indian president is both the Head of
only a nominal the State and
head of the State Head of the
Government.
US President
Indian president
holds the office
holds office for 5
for 4 years and
years and is eligible
can seek re-
for re-election any
election only
number of times.
once.
The Indian
US president is
Parliament includes
not part of any
the President, the
legislature and is
Vice-President and
not responsible
the two houses —
to the
Lok Sabha and
legislatures.
Rajya Sabha.
Question 2
Suppose riots break out in your State and there is a break down of law and order. What will the Governor of your State do and what will be its
consequences?
Answer
The Governor of the State will send a report of the situation to the President and will recommend for President's rule. If the President is satisfied
with the report he/she will declare an emergency in the state and impose President's rule. Consequences of President's rule in the state will be the
following:
1. The State administration is directly placed under the President (i.e. the Union Government). The Governor of
the concerned State acts in accordance with the instructions that are issued by the Union Government from
time to time.
2. The President may:
i. Dissolve the Vidhan Sabha of the State and dismiss the Council of Ministers; or
ii. Keep the Assembly and the Council of Ministers in suspended animation.
In both cases, the Union Parliament can pass laws, even on all the Subjects of the State List, for that
particular State. Even the Annual Budget of that State is presented to and passed by the Parliament.
3. When the Lok Sabha is not in session the President may authorise expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund
of the State.
4. The President may suspend the provision of the Constitution relating to any authority of the State except
those relating to High Courts.
However, the duration of President's rule is two months. Beyond this, it should be ratified by the Parliament for six months. It can be extended
for another six months. Thus, President's rule can normally continue only for a year.
Question 3
There are a few areas where the President of India can act at his/her discretion. Thus proving that the President of India is not a rubber stamp at
all. Give your views on this statement by giving examples from the past.
Answer
The President of India usually acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers. However, there are certain situations where the President can act
independently or use discretionary powers. This shows that the President is not just a rubber stamp, but plays an important role in safeguarding
the Constitution.
Some examples where the President can act at their own discretion are:
1. When no party gets a clear majority in the Lok Sabha — the President uses personal judgment to appoint a Prime Minister who is likely
to win the confidence of the House. Example — (i) In 1989, President R. Venkataraman appointed V.P. Singh as Prime Minister when
no party had a majority.
(ii) In 1996, President Shankar Dayal Sharma appointed Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister for 13 days as BJP was the single largest
party.
2. The President can send back a bill passed by Parliament for reconsideration. This shows that the President can express independent
views, though if the bill is passed again, the President must give assent.
3. In special cases, the President can dismiss a government that has lost majority and refuses to resign. This is also a discretionary power,
though used rarely.
These situations prove that the President is not a mere rubber stamp, but an important guardian of the Constitution who acts wisely when needed.
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