Union & State Government Structure

1. Introduction

India follows a Parliamentary System of Government with two levels: Union (Central) Government and State Governments. This is one of the most asked topics in SSC GD Polity.

Simple Definition

The Union Government is the central authority that governs India, headed by the President and Prime Minister.

2. The President of India (Head of the State)

2.1. Basic Information

Articles: 52–62
Residence: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
President = Ceremonial Head / Constitutional Head
Real power is with Prime Minister (not President)

2.2. Election of President

Elected by Electoral College:

Includes:

Elected MPs of Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
Elected MLAs of all States
Elected MLAs of Delhi & Puducherry

NOT included:

Nominated MPs/MLAs
Members of Legislative Councils
Governors

2.3. Qualifications

Citizen of India
35 years minimum age
Qualified for Lok Sabha
Not hold office of profit

2.4. Term & Removal

Term: 5 years
Resign to: Vice President
Removed by: Impeachment

2.5. Powers of the President

Power	Explanation
Executive	Appoints PM, Ministers, Governors, Judges
Legislative	Summons Parliament, signs Bills
Financial	Money Bill introduced with President's permission
Judicial	Pardons punishment
Military	Supreme Commander of Armed Forces
Emergency	Can declare 3 types of Emergencies

2.6. 3 Types of Emergency

Type	Article	When?
National Emergency	352	War, external aggression
State Emergency (President's Rule)	356	State govt fails
Financial Emergency	360	Financial instability

Till now, Financial Emergency → NEVER declared.

3. Vice President of India

Articles: 63–71 | 2nd highest constitutional post

Feature	Detail
Chairman of Rajya Sabha	Yes
Elected by	MPs of Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
Age	35 years
Term	5 years

Acts as President in his absence.

4. Prime Minister of India (Most Powerful)

Articles: 74–75 | PM = Real Executive Authority | Head of Government | Leader of ruling party

4.1. Powers of Prime Minister

Leads the Council of Ministers
Advises President
Controls government policies
Represents India internationally
Distributes ministries

PM is the real head of administration.

5. Council of Ministers (COM)

5.1. Three Categories

Category	Role
Cabinet Ministers	Most powerful
Ministers of State	Assist cabinet
Deputy Ministers	Lowest rank

Only Cabinet Ministers are part of the Cabinet (main decision-making body).

5.2. Collective Responsibility

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If Lok Sabha passes No-Confidence Motion, entire Government must resign.

6. State Government Structure

State government includes: Governor, Chief Minister, State Council of Ministers, State Legislature (Vidhan Sabha/Parishad)

7. The Governor (State Head)

Articles: 153–167 | Appointed by President

7.1. Key Features

Formal head of state
Acts as agent of central government

7.2. Qualifications & Term

Citizen of India
35 years age
Term: 5 years
Can be removed anytime by President

7.3. Powers of Governor

Power	Details
Executive	Appoints Chief Minister
Legislative	Signs state bills
Financial	Introduces state budget
Judicial	Pardons state offenses

Governor can reserve any state bill for the President.

8. Chief Minister (Head of the State Government)

Articles: 163–164 | CM = Real head of the state government | Equivalent to Prime Minister at state level

8.1. Powers of Chief Minister

Leads the state cabinet
Advises the Governor
Controls administration
Represents state

CM is the most powerful political authority in the state.

9. State Council of Ministers

Same structure as Union: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers

Collectively responsible to State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).

10. Important Constitutional Articles (SSC GD Focus)

Article	Topic
Art 52	President
Art 63	Vice President
Art 74	Council of Ministers
Art 75	PM appointment
Art 153	Governor
Art 163	CM + COM
Art 164	Oath of Ministers
Art 356	President's Rule
Art 360	Financial Emergency