Union Executive
Indian Constitution - Delhi Police Exams
Introduction
The Union Executive is the executive branch of the Central Government that implements laws and runs the administration of the country.
It consists of:
- The President
- The Vice President
- The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- The Attorney General of India
Articles: 52 to 78 (Part V of the Constitution)
Memory Trick: P.V.P.A → President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Attorney.
The President of India
Constitutional Position:
- Head of the State and Nominal Executive (Ceremonial Head)
- All executive actions are taken in the name of the President
- Article 52: There shall be a President of India
- Article 53: Executive power vested in the President
Election of the President
Indirect Election by an Electoral College consisting of:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament
- Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
- Elected members of Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories (Delhi & Puducherry)
System Used: Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (Secret Ballot)
| Eligibility | Condition |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be an Indian Citizen |
| Age | Minimum 35 years |
| Qualification | Eligible to be a Lok Sabha member |
| Oath | Before Chief Justice of India |
| Term | 5 years (renewable) |
| Removal | By Impeachment (Article 61) for violation of Constitution |
Trick: PRESIDENT → People's Representative Elected Secretly In Democracy.
Powers and Functions of the President
| Type | Key Powers |
|---|---|
| Executive | Appoints PM, Council of Ministers, Governors, CAG, Judges, etc. |
| Legislative | Summons and dissolves Parliament, gives assent to Bills, addresses both Houses |
| Financial | Money Bills can be introduced only with his prior recommendation |
| Judicial | Pardoning powers under Article 72 |
| Diplomatic | Represents India internationally; appoints ambassadors |
| Military | Supreme Commander of Armed Forces |
| Emergency | Can declare National, State, and Financial Emergency |
Memory Trick: ELF JDM – Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Diplomatic, Military.
Pardoning Powers (Article 72)
Pardon
Complete forgiveness
Commutation
Reduces punishment
Remission
Reduces duration
Respite
Shortens sentence for special reasons
Reprieve
Temporary delay in execution
Trick: PR2C – Pardon, Remission, Respite, Commutation.
The Vice President of India
Articles: 63–71
Article 63: There shall be a Vice President of India.
He is the second-highest constitutional office in India.
Election:
- Elected indirectly by members of both Houses of Parliament (only MPs vote)
- System: Proportional representation by single transferable vote
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be Indian |
| Age | Minimum 35 years |
| Qualification | Eligible for Rajya Sabha |
| Term | 5 years |
| Removal | By a resolution of Rajya Sabha (majority vote) |
Role and Functions
- Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64)
- Acts as President when the office of President is vacant (for a maximum of 6 months)
- Represents the dignity and discipline of the Rajya Sabha
Memory Trick: Vice-President → Votes in Parliament, Presides in Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Articles: 74–78
Article 74: Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister aids and advises the President
Real Executive Authority lies with the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Appointment:
- President appoints the Prime Minister
- PM must have the support of the majority in Lok Sabha
- On PM's advice, the President appoints other Ministers
Council of Ministers Structure
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Ministers | Head major ministries; key decision-makers |
| Ministers of State (Independent Charge) | Handle smaller ministries independently |
| Ministers of State | Assist Cabinet Ministers |
Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister
- Leader of the Government – Head of Council of Ministers
- Advisor to the President on all appointments
- Leader of Lok Sabha and spokesperson of the government
- Chairman of NITI Aayog, National Security Council, Inter-State Council
- Represents India in international forums
- Coordinates between ministries
Trick: P.M. = Policy Maker + Parliament Manager.
Collective Responsibility (Article 75)
- Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
- If Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire Council must resign
Trick: One falls – all fall.
Attorney General of India
Article 76
The Attorney General of India (AGI) is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India and the highest law officer of the country
Appointment:
- Appointed by the President of India
- Must be qualified to be a Supreme Court judge
- Holds office during the pleasure of the President
Functions and Powers:
- Advises the Government on legal matters
- Represents the Government in Supreme Court and High Courts
- Has right to speak in both Houses of Parliament, but no voting right
- Performs other duties assigned by the President
Trick: Attorney = Advisor + Advocate.
Remuneration:
Decided by the President (not fixed by Constitution)
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
The President of India is elected by —
A) Parliament alone B) People directly C) Electoral College (MPs & MLAs) D) Lok Sabha only
Show Answer
C) Electoral College (MPs & MLAs)
Who is the real executive head of India?
A) President B) Prime Minister C) Speaker of Lok Sabha D) Vice President
Show Answer
B) Prime Minister
Which Article deals with the impeachment of the President?
A) Article 56 B) Article 61 C) Article 72 D) Article 75
Show Answer
B) Article 61
Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
A) Prime Minister B) President C) Vice President D) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Show Answer
C) Vice President
The term of office of the President of India is —
A) 4 years B) 5 years C) 6 years D) 7 years
Show Answer
B) 5 years
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to —
A) President B) Lok Sabha C) Rajya Sabha D) Supreme Court
Show Answer
B) Lok Sabha
Who is the constitutional head of India?
A) Prime Minister B) President C) Chief Justice of India D) Vice President
Show Answer
B) President
The Attorney General of India holds office —
A) For 5 years B) At the pleasure of the President C) For 6 years D) Fixed by Parliament
Show Answer
B) At the pleasure of the President
The President's Pardoning power is mentioned under —
A) Article 52 B) Article 61 C) Article 72 D) Article 74
Show Answer
C) Article 72
Who presides over the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice President?
A) Speaker of Lok Sabha B) Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha C) Prime Minister D) Chief Justice of India
Show Answer
B) Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Summary Table – Union Executive at a Glance
| Position | Articles | Appointment | Term | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | 52–78 | Electoral College | 5 years | Constitutional Head |
| Vice President | 63–71 | Parliament | 5 years | Rajya Sabha Chairman |
| Prime Minister | 74–78 | President | 5 years (till majority) | Real Executive Head |
| Council of Ministers | 74–75 | President (on PM's advice) | 5 years | Assists PM |
| Attorney General | 76 | President | Pleasure of President | Chief Legal Advisor |
Final Concept Recap
- Union Executive = President + VP + PM + Ministers + AGI
- President → Nominal Head (Articles 52–78)
- Prime Minister → Real Head (Article 74)
- Vice President → Rajya Sabha Chairman (Article 64)
- Attorney General → Chief Legal Advisor (Article 76)
- Collective Responsibility → Article 75(3)
- Pardoning Power → Article 72
One-Line Memory: President leads in name, Prime Minister leads in action.
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