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Working of Institutions – Organs of the Government
Name of
Institution
I
LEGISLATURE
(a)
Lok Sabha
Composition
Way of Elections
Powers
543
The representatives from  Exercises the real power  It controls the Council
different constituencies are
on behalf of the people.
of Ministers.
directly elected by the
 The view of the Lok
 Discussions
and
people.
Sabha prevails in the
debates are held on
common meeting of
important issues to be
both the houses.
made into a law which
is fist passed by it.
 Lok Sabha exercises
more powers in money
matters.
 The Lok Sabha may not
accept changes made
by Rajya Sabha.
(b)
Rajya Sabha
250
It is indirectly elected
 It cannot reject money
related Laws passed by
Lok Sabha. Can only
delay by 14 days.
Functions
 Lok Sabha passes the
budget of Govt. or any
other money related
law.
 It looks after the
interests of various
states, regions or
federal units.
 It discusses about the
laws passed by Lok
Sabha, makes changes
and passés them.
II
EXECUTIVE
(a)
Prime Minister
1
The President appoints the  He continues in power
leader of the majority party
so long as he remains
that commands majority in
the leader of majority
LS as PM. There is no
party/ coalition.
direct election.
 He is the head of the
govt.
 Exercises general
supervision of different
ministries and can
dismiss them.
 The PM chooses the
various ministers.
 He chairs cabinet
meetings and
coordinates the work
of different Depts.
 His decisions are final
in case disagreements
arise between Depts.
 He distributes work to
 PM is the most powerful
various ministers.
within the Cabinet and
controls it.
 The PM of a coalition
govt. can’t take
decision as he likes, has
to accommodate
different groups,
factions in his party
(b)
Council of
Ministers
(COM)
60 – 80
The President appoints them
on the advice of the P.M.
They are usually from the
party or the coalition that
No minister can openly
criticize any decision of
the government even if it
is about another
Every ministry has
secretaries who are civil
servants.
has the majority in LS.
(i)
Cabinet
Ministers
(ii)
Ministers of
state with
independent
charge.
(iii)
Ministers of
State
(c)
20
Ministry/Dept.
 It is the inner ring of
 They are in charge of
the Council of Ministers
the major ministries
who meet to take
 The cabinet works as a
decisions in name of
team. The ministers may
Council of Ministers
have different views
in Cabinet Meetings.
and opinions but
everyone has to own up
to every Cabinet
decisions.
 They an usually
incharge of small
Ministries.
 They participate in
Cabinet meetings only
when specially invited
.
 They are attached and
required to assist
Cabinet Ministers.
1
The elected MPs and the  She is the Head of the
elected MLAs elect her. The
State and has nominal
candidate has to get a
powers.
majority of votes to win the
 She is the supreme
election in accordance with
commander of the
the system of proportional
 She supervises the
overall functioning of
all political institutions
in the
country
so that they operate in
harmony to achieve
objective of the State.
representation by means of
defence forces in India.  All govt. activities
single transferable vote.
,laws, internal treaties
 She exercises powers on
are made in her name.
advice of COM and can
them to reconsider her
 She appoints the PM
advice.
COM, Chief Justice
Supreme Court, High
 A bill becomes a law
Court Judges,
only after the
governors of state,
President’s ‘assent. She
Election
can delay it and send it
Commissioner
back for reconsideration
ambassadors.
but if Parliament passes
it again, she has to sign
it.
(a)
JUDICIARY
Supreme Court
The judges are appointed by  It controls judicial
the President on the PM’s
admin. In country and
advice and on the advice of
its decisions are
the CJ of India.
binding on all other
courts of the country.
 It is independent of
Executive and
Legislature.
Supreme Court
(Sc)
 Once the judges are
appointed, it is nearly
impossible to remove
them.
 It is the highest court
of appeal in
Civil/Criminal cases.
Takes up dispute
between citizens,
govts. (State or union).
 Acts as the guardian of
Fundamental Rights.
 It gives a fair
judgement which is
 They have the power to
interpret the
constitution and can
declare laws\ actions
of govt. as in valid if it
finds them against the
constitution. This is
called Judicial Review.
(i)
(b)
trusted and accepted
by everyone.
Chief Justice of 1
the Country (CJ)
The senior most judge of  All the above.
SC is appointed the CJ by
 He is the senior most
the President.
judge of the state.
 All the above
High Court
The judges are appointed  Once the judges are
by the President on the
appointed, it is nearly
PM’s advice and the Chief
impossible to remove
Justice
of
India’s
them.
consultation.
 They interpret the
constitution and can
declare laws/ actions of
govt. as invalid.
 They act as the
gourdian of
Fundamental Rights.
 It is independent of the
Legislature and the
executive.
 He gives his
consultation to appoint
supreme Court of High
Court Judge.
 They prevent the
miuse of govts power,
check malpractices.
Working of Institutions
Ques. 1
How does the Parliament exercise political authority?
Ans. 1
The parliament exercises political authority in the following
ways:
1.
Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country. It
can make new laws, change existing ones or abolish them and
make new ones.
2.
Parliament all over the work exercise some control over those who
run the government. In India, they can take decisions only so long as
they enjoy the Parliament support.
3.
Parliaments control all the money the governments have.
4.
It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and
national policy in any country.
Ques. 2 Which are the two houses of the parliament? What is the
difference between them?
Ans.
The two houses of
Rajya Sabha.
the Parliament are the Lok sabha and the
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
1.
It is the House of the 1.
People.
It is the Council of
States.
2.
It has 543 members (and 2.
2 nominated)
It has 233 members
(and 12 nominated by
President).
3.
The members are directly 3.
elected by people as
representatives through
elections.
The members are
indirectly elected.
4.
It is addressed by the 4.
speaker.
It is addressed by the
Vice President
of
India.
5.
The term of members is 5 5.
years.
1\3 members retire
after every 2 years. So
the term of each
member is 6 years.
Ques. 3 Which of the two houses of the Parliament is more powerful and
How?
Ans. 3 On most matters, Lok Sabha exercises supreme power and is
more powerful than Rajya Sabha.
1.
Any ordinary bill needs for to be passed by both the houses. But if
there is a difference between the two, final decision is taken in a joint
session in which members of both Houses sit. Because of the larger
number of members, the view of the Lok Sabha is likely to prevail.
2.
Lok Sabha exercises more power on money matters. Rajya Sabha
can only delay these by 14 days or suggest changes.
3.
Lok Sabha controls the council of Ministers. Only a person who
enjoys the support of majority of members of LS is appointed the PM.
If the majority of Lok Sabha members have no confidence in Council
of Ministers, all ministers with the PM, have to quit. The Rajya Sabha
does not have this power.
Ques. 4
Why are the functionaries called as the executive?
Ans. The functionaries are called as the executive because they are in
charge of the execution of the policies of the government. Thus,
when
one talk about ‘the government’ we usually mean the
executive.
Ques. 5
What are the two kinds of executive? What is the difference
between the two?
Ans. The two kinds of executive are:
1. Political executive and
2. Permanent executive
POLITICAL
PERMANENT
It is elected by the people for a specific The Civil servants are appointed
period. Political leaders who take big for a long turn basis. They
decisions fall in this.
remain in office even when the
ruling party changes.
Ques. 6 Why does the political executive have more powers than nonpolitical executive?
Ans.
In a democracy the will of the people is Supreme. The minister is
elected by the people and thus empowered to exercise the will of
the people on their behalf. He or she is finally answerable to the
people for all the consequence s of its decisions. That is way
political executive has more powers than non-political executive.
Ques.7 What is a Cabinet – Sectratariat?
Ans.
Every ministers
has Sectraries who are civil servants. The
secretaries provide the necessary background information to the
ministers to take decisions. The Cabinet as a team is assisted by
the Cabinet Secretariat. This includes many senior civil servants
who try to Co-ordinate the working of different ministers.
Ques. 8 Why are the parliamentary democracies in most countries known
as Cabinet form of government?
Ans.
It is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss
everything. Therefore the decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings.
That is why parliamentary democracy in most countries is often
known as Cabinet form of government.
Ques. 9 What is a Coalition government? What
constraints has
it
imposed on the powers of the Prime Minister?
Ans.
Coalition government is a government formed by an alliance of
two or more political parties usually when no single party enjoys
majority support of the members in a legislature. The Prime
Minister of a Coalition government can not take decisions as he
likes. He has to accommodate different groups and factions in his
party as well as among alliance partners. He also has to heed to
the views and positions of the coalition partners and others parties
on whose support the survival of the government depends.
Qs. 10
How does the President remain only a nominal executive/
Ans. The President is the head of the State who exercises only nominal
powers. The President of India is like the queen of Britain whose
functions are to a large extent ceremonial The President supervises the
overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country so that
they operate in harmony to achieve the objectives of the State. The
President can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the
Prime Minister enjoys. This ensures that he remains a nominal executive
only. All government activities take place in the name of the President.
All laws and major policy decisions of the government are issued in her
name. All major appointments are made in the President’s name. But the
President exercises all these powers only on the advice of the Council of
Minister and the Prime Minister.
Q.11 What kind of disputes can be settled by the Supreme Court?
Ans. The Supreme Court can take up disputes between:
(a) Citizens of the country
(b) Citizens and government
(c) Two or more State Governments
(d) Governments at the union and state level.
Q. 12
What is Office Memorandum?
Ans.
Office Memorandum is a communication issued by an
appropriate authority stating the policy or decision of the
government.
Q.13 What is public interest litigation? Why does judiciary enjoy high
level of confidence among people?
Ans. In recent years the Courts have given several judgements and
directives to protect public interest and human rights. Anyone can
approach the court if public interest is hurt by the actions of the
government. This is called Public Interest Litigation. The courts
intervene to prevent the misuse of the governments power to make
decisions. They check malpractices on the part of public officials.
Therefore, judiciary enjoys a high level of confidence among the
people.
Q.14.How does the constitution ensure that courts are independent of
legislative and executive. Explain in detail.
Ans. The judges
do not act on the direction of the government or
according to the wishes of parties in power.
 The judges of SC and HC are appointed by the President on the
advice of the Prime Ministers and in consultation with the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court.
 In practice it now means that the senior judges of the SC select the
new judges.
 There is very little scope for interference by the political executive.
 Once a person is appointed as jude of the Supreme or High Court,
it is nearly impossible to remove him or her from that positions as
difficult as removing the President of India.
 A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed
separately by two-third members of the two houses of the
Parliament.
 The Supreme Court
and the High Court have the power to
interpret the constitution of our country.
Qu. 15
Why do we need a Parliament.
The parliament exercises political authority in the following
ways:
1.
Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country. It
can make new laws, change existing ones or abolish them and make
new ones.
2.
Parliament all over the work exercise some control over those who
run the government. In India, they can take decisions only so long as
they enjoy the Parliament support.
3.
Parliaments control all the money the governments have.
4.
It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and
national policy in any country.
Ans 1 In all democracies, an assembly of elected representatives exercises
supreme political authority on behalf of the people. In India such a
national assembly of elected representatives is called a Parliament.
Q. 16 How is a government order passed? Explain with the help of an
example.
Ans.
A govt. order is passed in the following ways:

The President of India in his address to the Parliament announces
the intention of govt. to implement it. Like Mandal Commission.

The Union Cabinet takes a formal decision to implement the
recommendations.

The Prime Ministers informs the Parliament about the decision
through a statement in both the houses.

The decision of the Cabinet is sent to the Department of Personnel
and Training. The Senior offices of the department drafts on order in
line with the Cabinet decision and take the ministers approval.

An officer signs the order on behalf of Union Govt.

And hence the order is passed.
E.g on August 13, 1990 the Govt. of India issued on order O.M. No.
36012/31/90 – Est (SCT) dated 13.8.1990. The Joint Secretary signed the
order.