Class 11 : Poltical Science (In English) – Lesson 4. Executive
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction
🔵 The Executive is one of the three main organs of the government, alongside the Legislature and Judiciary.
🟢 It is responsible for implementing laws and administering policies passed by the legislature.
🟡 In a democracy like India, the executive functions under constitutional limits and is accountable to the legislature.
🔴 This chapter explains the structure, powers, and role of the Union and State Executives in India, and how they function in a parliamentary system.
🧭 1. Meaning and Types of Executive
✔️ Executive refers to the branch of government that enforces laws and manages the day-to-day affairs.
🔹 Two Types:
1️⃣ Political Executive – Elected leaders (e.g. Prime Minister, Council of Ministers).
2️⃣ Permanent Executive – Bureaucracy/civil servants who assist in administration.
💡 Concept Tip: Political Executive decides policies; Permanent Executive implements them.
🏛️ 2. Executive in a Parliamentary System
India follows the Parliamentary form of government, modeled on the British system, where:
The President is the nominal head.
The Prime Minister is the real head.
The Executive is collectively responsible to the Legislature.
⚖️ 3. Executive at the Union Level
🟢 (a) The President
Article 52: There shall be a President of India.
He is the constitutional head of the State.
All executive actions are taken in his name.
Functions mainly on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74).
🟢 (b) Election of the President
Elected indirectly by an Electoral College consisting of:
Elected MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Elected MLAs of State Legislative Assemblies
Method: Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV).
🟢 (c) Qualifications
1️⃣ Citizen of India
2️⃣ At least 35 years old
3️⃣ Qualified to be a member of Lok Sabha
4️⃣ Should not hold any office of profit
🟢 (d) Tenure
5 years; eligible for re-election.
Can resign or be impeached for violation of the Constitution.
📜 4. Powers of the President
🔹 Executive Powers
Appoints Prime Minister, Ministers, Governors, Judges, Ambassadors.
Administers Union Territories.
All laws are executed in his name.
🔹 Legislative Powers
Summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament.
Addresses Parliament at the beginning of the session.
Gives assent to bills; can return a non-money bill for reconsideration.
Issues Ordinances (Article 123) when Parliament is not in session.
🔹 Judicial Powers
Appoints judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.
Can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, or remission (Article 72).
🔹 Diplomatic Powers
Represents India internationally, signs treaties, and appoints ambassadors.
🔹 Emergency Powers
1️⃣ National Emergency (Art. 352)
2️⃣ President’s Rule (Art. 356)
3️⃣ Financial Emergency (Art. 360)
💡 Though powerful on paper, the President functions under the advice of the Council of Ministers.
🧠 5. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
🔵 Prime Minister (PM)
Head of Government and real executive authority.
Appointed by President; must enjoy majority in Lok Sabha.
🔹 Powers of PM:
1️⃣ Selects and leads the Council of Ministers.
2️⃣ Allocates portfolios and directs policies.
3️⃣ Acts as link between President and Council.
4️⃣ Represents India internationally.
5️⃣ Can advise President to dissolve Lok Sabha.
💡 Example: Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi.
🟢 Council of Ministers (Article 74–75)
Includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers.
Collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
Must resign if loses majority support.
✔️ Cabinet = Core group that formulates major policies.
💡 Concept Tip: President is head of State; PM is head of Government.
🏛️ 6. State Executive
🔹 Governor
Nominal head of the state (like President at the Centre).
Appointed by President for 5 years.
Acts on advice of Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister.
🔹 Chief Minister (CM)
Real executive head at state level.
Responsible for administration and policy implementation.
🔹 Council of Ministers
Collective responsibility to State Legislative Assembly.
📚 7. Collective and Individual Responsibility
✔️ Collective Responsibility – All ministers jointly responsible to Lok Sabha; must resign together if the House passes a no-confidence motion.
✔️ Individual Responsibility – Each minister is accountable for work of their department.
🧾 8. Parliamentary vs Presidential Executive
Feature Parliamentary (India) Presidential (USA)
Head of State President (nominal) President (real)
Head of Government Prime Minister President
Relationship Executive accountable to Legislature Separation of powers
Stability Less stable (no-confidence) More stable
Flexibility More responsive Rigid
🧭 9. Role of Bureaucracy (Permanent Executive)
Includes civil servants (IAS, IPS, IFS).
Implement policies and assist political executive.
Provide continuity and expertise in governance.
💡 Bureaucracy ensures day-to-day functioning regardless of political change.
⚠️ 10. Accountability of Executive
1️⃣ Parliamentary Control – Questions, debates, motions.
2️⃣ Judicial Review – Courts can check unconstitutional acts.
3️⃣ Public Opinion – Elections hold executive accountable.
4️⃣ Media & RTI – Promote transparency.
🧩 11. Emergency Powers and Executive Authority
During emergencies, executive powers expand significantly.
Centre can override states under Article 356.
Fundamental Rights can be suspended (except Art. 20, 21).
Executive becomes dominant.
➡️ Hence, emergency provisions must be used cautiously.
📈 12. Importance of Executive in Governance
🔹 Executes laws and maintains order.
🔹 Frames and implements public policy.
🔹 Represents nation in foreign affairs.
🔹 Ensures welfare and development programs.
💡 A strong yet accountable executive is key to good governance.
📜 Summary (≈300 words)
The executive is the organ responsible for enforcing laws and administering the country. India’s parliamentary system divides executive authority between the nominal head (President/Governor) and the real head (Prime Minister/Chief Minister).
At the Union level, the President is elected indirectly and functions on the advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, who holds real authority. The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The President’s powers include executive, legislative, judicial, diplomatic, and emergency functions, all exercised under constitutional limits.
At the State level, the Governor is the nominal head and the Chief Minister leads the government.
India’s FPTP electoral system ensures representation, while accountability is maintained through parliamentary control, judicial review, and public scrutiny.
The permanent executive (bureaucracy) ensures administrative continuity.
A balance between efficiency and accountability makes the executive a vital pillar of democracy.
📝 Quick Recap
🔹 Executive implements laws and policies.
🔹 Types: Political (PM, CM) & Permanent (bureaucracy).
🔹 President – nominal head; PM – real head.
🔹 Council of Ministers – collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.
🔹 Governor – head of state; CM – real head.
🔹 Accountability through legislature, judiciary, and public opinion.
✔️ Final Note:
A democratic executive must combine strong leadership with constitutional accountability, ensuring governance in public interest and adherence to the rule of law.
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1:
A parliamentary executive means:
a. Executive where there is a parliament
b. Executive elected by the parliament
c. Where the parliament functions as the Executive
d. Executive that is dependent on support of the majority in the parliament
🟢 Answer:
✅ Option (d) — Executive that is dependent on support of the majority in the parliament.
➡️ In a parliamentary system, the executive is drawn from the legislature and remains in office as long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority in the lower house.
🔵 Question 2:
Read this dialogue. Which argument do you agree with? Why?
Amit: Looking at the constitutional provisions, it seems that the President is only a rubber stamp.
Shama: The President appoints the Prime Minister. So, he must have the powers to remove the Prime Minister as well.
Rajesh: We don’t need a President. After the election, the Parliament can meet and elect a leader to be the Prime Minister.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Amit’s statement is partially correct. The President is the constitutional head and must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74).
✔️ However, the President is not merely symbolic; he plays an important role during political instability, hung parliaments, or when no party has a clear majority.
➡️ Hence, the President is not a rubber stamp, but his powers are limited by the Constitution and the Cabinet’s advice.
🔵 Question 3:
Match the following:
| i. Works within the particular State in which recruited | a. Indian Foreign Service |
| ii. Works in any central government office located either at the national capital or elsewhere in the country | b. State Civil Services |
| iii. Works in a particular State to which allotted; can also be sent on deputation to the centre | c. All India Services |
| iv. Works in Indian missions abroad | d. Central Services |
🟢 Answer:
i ➡️ b (State Civil Services)
ii ➡️ d (Central Services)
iii ➡️ c (All India Services)
iv ➡️ a (Indian Foreign Service)
✔️ Final Match: (i-b), (ii-d), (iii-c), (iv-a)
🔵 Question 4:
Identify the ministry which may have released the following news items. Would this be a ministry of the central government or the state government?
a. An official release said that in 2005 the Tamil Nadu Textbooks Corporation would release new versions for standards VII and XI.
b. A new railway loop line easing the crowded Tiruvallur–Chennai section to help move exporters.
c. The three-member sub-divisional committee formed to verify suicide by farmers in Ramayampet mandal has found that the two farmers who committed suicide this month have had economic problems due to failure of crops.
🟢 Answer:
a. State Government – Education is a State Subject; hence handled by the State Ministry of Education.
b. Central Government – Railways come under Union Ministry of Railways.
c. State Government – Agriculture and farmer welfare are State Subjects; handled by State Ministry of Agriculture.
🔵 Question 5:
While appointing the Prime Minister, the President selects:
a. Leader of the largest party in the Lok Sabha
b. Leader of the largest party in the alliance which secures a majority in the Lok Sabha
c. The leader of the largest party in the Rajya Sabha
d. Leader of the alliance or party that has the support of the majority in Lok Sabha
🟢 Answer:
✅ Option (d) — The President appoints the leader who commands majority support in the Lok Sabha.
➡️ Even if no single party gets majority, the leader of a coalition who can prove majority is appointed.
🔵 Question 6:
Read this discussion and say which of these statements applies most to India.
Alok: Prime Minister is like a king, he decides everything in our country.
Shekhar: Prime Minister is only ‘first among equals’, he does not have any special powers. All ministers and the PM have similar powers.
Bobby: Prime Minister has to consider expectations of the party members and supporters, but has a greater say in policy making and choosing ministers.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Bobby’s view best fits India’s system.
➡️ The PM is ‘first among equals’ but exercises significant authority in shaping policies, chairing cabinet meetings, and leading the government.
✔️ However, decisions are made collectively by the Council of Ministers.
🔵 Question 7:
Why do you think the advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ To uphold the principle of parliamentary democracy where the real executive power lies with the elected Council of Ministers.
✔️ The President, being the nominal head, must act on their advice to ensure accountability to Parliament.
🔵 Question 8:
The parliamentary system of executive vests more powers in the legislature for controlling the executive. Why do you think it is necessary to control the executive?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ To prevent abuse of power by the executive.
✔️ To ensure responsibility and accountability to the legislature.
✔️ To maintain democratic checks and balances and protect citizens’ rights.
🔵 Question 9:
It is said that there is too much political interference in the working of the administrative machinery. It is suggested that there should be more autonomous agencies which do not have to answer to ministers.
a. Do you think this will make administration more people-friendly?
b. Do you think this will make administration more efficient?
c. Does democracy mean full control of elected representatives over the administration?
🟢 Answer:
a. Partial autonomy can make administration more professional and impartial, but accountability must remain.
b. It may improve efficiency by reducing political pressure.
c. Democracy requires control and accountability of administration to elected representatives, ensuring public interest.
🔵 Question 10:
Write an essay of two hundred words on the proposal to have an elected administration instead of an appointed administration.
🟢 Answer:
An appointed administration (bureaucracy) ensures professionalism, continuity, and expertise in governance. Civil servants are selected through competitive exams and trained to implement policies objectively.
An elected administration may reflect popular will but could lead to politicization and instability, as frequent elections and changing leadership may disrupt administration.
Democracy already ensures accountability of the appointed executive through elected representatives.
Hence, a balance between appointed administration and democratic control is ideal, ensuring efficiency, neutrality, and accountability in governance.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔵 Q1. Which of the following resembles most direct democracy?
🟢 1️⃣ Discussions in a family meeting
🟢 2️⃣ Election of the class monitor
🟢 3️⃣ Choice of a candidate by a political party
🟢 4️⃣ Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
✅ Answer: 4️⃣ Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
🔵 Q2. Who is the real executive in India?
🟢 Answer: The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
🔵 Q3. The President of India is elected by —
🟢 1️⃣ Direct vote of all citizens
🟢 2️⃣ Members of Parliament only
🟢 3️⃣ An electoral college of MPs and MLAs
🟢 4️⃣ Governors of States
✅ Answer: 3️⃣ An electoral college of MPs and MLAs
🔵 Q4. Articles 52–78 of the Constitution deal with —
🟢 Answer: The Union Executive.
🔵 Q5. Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?
🟢 Answer: The President.
🔵 Q6. The Prime Minister is described as —
🟢 1️⃣ Nominal Head
🟢 2️⃣ First among equals
🟢 3️⃣ Ceremonial Head
🟢 4️⃣ Head of State
✅ Answer: 2️⃣ First among equals
🔵 Q7. Define “Political Executive”.
🟢 Answer: The Political Executive consists of elected representatives who take policy decisions, e.g. Prime Minister and Ministers.
🔵 Q8. Define “Permanent Executive”.
🟢 Answer: The Permanent Executive includes civil servants who implement policies and remain in service irrespective of political changes.
🔵 Q9. Name two types of Executive systems.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Parliamentary Executive
2️⃣ Presidential Executive
🔵 Q10. Who is the Constitutional Head of the State?
🟢 Answer: The President.
🔵 Q11. Who is the real Head of Government in India?
🟢 Answer: The Prime Minister.
🔵 Q12. State one difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Executive.
🟢 Answer:
In Parliamentary, executive is responsible to legislature.
In Presidential, executive is independent of legislature.
🔵 Q13. What do you mean by “Collective Responsibility”?
🟢 Answer: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha; loss of confidence means resignation of the entire Council.
🔵 Q14. Mention any two functions of the President.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Appoints Prime Minister and other Ministers.
2️⃣ Gives assent to bills and issues ordinances.
🔵 Q15. Name three categories of civil services.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ All India Services
2️⃣ Central Services
3️⃣ State Services
🔵 Q16. What is meant by “Nominal Executive”?
🟢 Answer: A head who acts according to the advice of others, holding ceremonial powers only — e.g. the President.
🔵 Q17. What is meant by “Real Executive”?
🟢 Answer: The authority that actually exercises administrative powers — the Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister.
🔵 Q18. State one function of the Cabinet Secretariat.
🟢 Answer: It assists the Prime Minister, prepares Cabinet agenda, and ensures implementation of decisions.
🔵 Q19. Mention one provision that ensures control of Parliament over the Executive.
🟢 Answer: Question Hour or No-Confidence Motion.
🔵 Q20. Explain the difference between Nominal and Real Executive in India.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Nominal Executive: The head who acts on advice and has ceremonial powers (e.g. President).
2️⃣ Real Executive: The head who exercises real powers and makes key decisions (e.g. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers).
✔️ In India, the President is the Nominal Executive, while the Prime Minister is the Real Executive.
🔵 Q21. Describe three powers of the President of India.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Executive Powers – Appoints Prime Minister, Ministers, Governors, Judges.
2️⃣ Legislative Powers – Summons, prorogues Parliament; gives assent to bills.
3️⃣ Judicial Powers – Can grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations.
🔵 Q22. What are the qualifications required to become the President of India?
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Must be a citizen of India.
2️⃣ Must be 35 years or above.
3️⃣ Must be qualified to be elected as a member of Lok Sabha.
4️⃣ Should not hold any office of profit under government.
🔵 Q23. Explain any three functions of the Prime Minister.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Head of Government – Leads the Council of Ministers.
2️⃣ Policy Maker – Guides government policy and legislation.
3️⃣ Link – Acts as the link between the President and the Council of Ministers.
🔵 Q24. What is meant by Collective Responsibility? Give one example.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ The entire Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
➡️ If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the whole ministry must resign.
🧭 Example: In 1999, the Vajpayee government resigned after losing a confidence vote.
🔵 Q25. Mention three differences between Parliamentary and Presidential forms of government.
🟢 Answer:
Parliamentary Presidential
Executive is accountable to legislature Executive is independent of legislature
Dual executive (Nominal + Real) Single executive (President)
Collective responsibility No collective responsibility
🔵 Q26. Write three functions of the Council of Ministers.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Formulate and implement government policies.
2️⃣ Advise the President in all matters.
3️⃣ Ensure administration through ministries and departments.
🔵 Q27. Explain the composition of the Council of Ministers.
🟢 Answer:
It consists of:
1️⃣ Cabinet Ministers – Head important ministries.
2️⃣ Ministers of State – Assist cabinet ministers.
3️⃣ Deputy Ministers – Support specific departments.
➡️ All are led by the Prime Minister.
🔵 Q28. Describe the role of the Cabinet Secretariat.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Assists the Prime Minister and Cabinet in policy formulation.
2️⃣ Prepares agenda and minutes of Cabinet meetings.
3️⃣ Ensures implementation of decisions across ministries.
🔵 Q29. Evaluate the importance of the Executive in a parliamentary democracy.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ The executive ensures implementation of laws, administration, and policy-making.
✔️ In a parliamentary democracy, it remains accountable to the legislature.
✔️ Provides stability, leadership, and coordination in governance.
🔵 Q30. Write a short note on Permanent Executive.
🟢 Answer:
The Permanent Executive comprises civil servants or bureaucrats who:
1️⃣ Implement decisions made by the political executive.
2️⃣ Provide expert advice to ministers.
3️⃣ Ensure continuity of administration despite political changes.
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ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET
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MIND MAPS
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