President, Prime Minister, Governor and Chief Minister
The chapter on the President, the Prime Minister, the Governor and the Chief Minister explains the highest offices of the country and of the states. In the ADRE Grade IV Social Studies paper, questions from this chapter are direct and usually ask about the method of election, the qualifications, the term of office and the main powers of each office. The chapter is best studied by grouping the offices into the union level and the state level, and by comparing each office with its counterpart, because the differences between them are exactly what the examiner likes to test.
The President of India
The President is the head of the state and the first citizen of India, and the office is dealt with in Articles 52 to 62. The President is not elected directly by the people but indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states and of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. The President holds office for a term of five years and may be re-elected. The President may be removed before the end of the term by impeachment under Article 61 for violation of the Constitution. To be eligible, a person must be a citizen of India, must have completed the age of thirty-five years, and must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha. The oath of office is administered by the Chief Justice of India. The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and has executive, legislative, financial and judicial powers, and may declare a national emergency, a state emergency or a financial emergency under Articles 352, 356 and 360.
The Vice President
The Vice President is dealt with in Articles 63 to 71. The Vice President is elected by the members of both Houses of Parliament and holds office for five years. The Vice President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acts as President when the office of the President falls vacant or when the President is temporarily unable to discharge the duties of the office.
The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the real executive authority of the country. Under Article 75 the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and in practice the President invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha to become the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and is the principal adviser to the President. Under Article 74 the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister allocates portfolios among the ministers, coordinates the work of the government and represents the country at home and abroad.
The Governor
The Governor is the constitutional head of a state and the office is dealt with in Article 153. The Governor is appointed by the President and is not elected by the people. The Governor is not a member of the state legislature, and the same person may be appointed as Governor of two or more states. The Governor holds office normally for five years but holds office during the pleasure of the President. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and, on the advice of the Chief Minister, the other ministers, and exercises the executive, legislative and, in certain cases, discretionary powers of the state.
The Chief Minister
The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and the office is dealt with in Article 164. The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, and in practice the Governor appoints the leader of the majority party in the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers of the state, advises the Governor on the appointment of ministers, and is responsible for the administration of the state. The Chief Minister stands in the same relation to the Governor as the Prime Minister stands to the President.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
Questions usually ask who elects the President, the age required for the office, the term of the President or the Governor, the article under which the Prime Minister or Chief Minister is appointed, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, or who administers the oath to the President. The comparison between the President and the Governor, and between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, is a favourite source of questions.
Memory Tips
Pair every union office with its state counterpart: the President with the Governor, and the Prime Minister with the Chief Minister. Remember that the President and the Vice President are elected indirectly, while the Governor is appointed by the President. Keep the two age facts: thirty-five years for the President, and no minimum age for the Governor, because the Governor is appointed and not elected. Remember that the Chief Justice of India administers the oath to the President, and that the Vice President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking that the President is elected directly by the people.
- Confusing the President with the Prime Minister, and the Governor with the Chief Minister.
- Forgetting that the Governor is appointed by the President.
- Mixing the ages required for the office of the President and the Vice President.
- Forgetting that the Vice President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Prepare a comparison table of the union and state offices.
- Learn the method of election or appointment of each office.
- Memorise the term of office of each post.
- Keep the key articles ready with each office.
- Solve previous years' papers and note the repeating facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the President of India elected?
The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college made up of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states and of Delhi and Puducherry.
Who is the head of the government of India?
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the real executive authority, while the President is the head of the state. The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers.
Who appoints the Governor of a state?
The Governor is appointed by the President and is not elected by the people. The same person may be appointed as Governor of two or more states.
Who is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
The Vice President of India is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Vice President is elected by the members of both Houses of Parliament.
What is the term of the President and the Governor?
The President holds office for five years and may be re-elected. The Governor also normally holds office for five years but holds office during the pleasure of the President.