The President And VIce President Flashcards
1
Q
qualifications for president
A
- citizen of india
- completed age of 35
- qualified for election as member of lok sabha
2
Q
composition of electoral college
A
- elected members of both houses of parliament
- elected members of legislative assemblies of states and UTs
(nominated members of rajya sabha and state assemblies not allowed)
3
Q
reasons for indirect election of president
A
- if president would be elected directly, he would become a rival centre of power to council of ministers. this would be against parliamentary system with ministerial responsibility
- the membership in the house always has a dominating party. election by majority of the union parliament could make him a nominee of the ruling party like the prime minister
- an electoral college would make the president the elected representative of the whole nation with a clear voice given to states as well
4
Q
who gives oath of office
A
Chief justice of india (in his absence, seniormost judge of supreme court)
5
Q
term of office of president
A
5 years, until successor takes charge
6
Q
vacation of office
A
- may submit resignation letter to VP
- may be impeached for violation of constitution
7
Q
impeachment of president
A
- the parliament can level up the charge as: (resolution that is moved after 14 days’ notice in write, signed by 1/4th members, OR resolution is passed by 2/3rd membership)
- when a charge is preferred by a house, the other house investigates the charge. President has a right to appear and be represented at such an investigation
- if a resolution of 2/3rds majority is passed by the majority that the charge has been sustained, the resolution will have an effect to remove president from his office
8
Q
executive powers of president
A
- head of union administration
- appointment of officials of state
- control over state governments
- administration of union territories and border areas
9
Q
who does the president appoint as officials of state?
A
- PM, council of ministers
- chief justice, and judges of supreme court and high court
- governers of state
- chief commissioners of union territories
10
Q
legislative powers
A
- addresses both houses of parliament after they assemble together for the first time after general election to the lok sabha, and at commencement of first session of the year.
- sends messages to either house of parliament either in regard to any pending bill or other matter
- summon and prorogue houses of parliament, when there is not more than 6 months gap betweem two sessions
- can dissolve the lok sabha and order fresh elections
- nominates 12 members of rajya sabha having practical experience in literature, science, art, social service, etc.
- no bill can become a law without the president’s assent. the president may send a bill back to the houses with necessary recommendations
- may promulgate and withdraw ordinances
11
Q
financial powers of president
A
- money bills can be introduced only by the recommendation of president
- finance minister, on behalf of the president, places the annual budget before the parliament
- annual financial statement is also laid before parliament in beginning of every financial year, on behalf of president
- can authorise withdrawal of advances from the contingency fund
- president appoints a Finance commission after every 5 years to advise him on financial matters
12
Q
judicial powers of the president
A
- not answerable before any court of law for the exercise of the powers and duties of his/her office
- no criminal suit can be issued against him during the tenure of his office
- has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions of punishments- or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of a person
13
Q
discretionary powers of the president
A
- appointment of PM when there is a hung parliament , because president cannot appoint on the advice of outgoing PM who may have lost election or support of the house
- appointment of PM in case of sudden death of incumbent, where ruling party is unable to meet immediately to elect leader
- when the ruling party of lok sabha has lost majority, the president can dissolve the house or ask another party to prove their majority on the floor of the house
- can dismiss ministers in case the council of ministers loses the confidence of house but refuses to resign
14
Q
define emergency
A
a sudden or unforseen situation demanding immediate action
15
Q
when can president declare emergency
A
- national/general emergency
- breakdown of constitutional machinery
- financial emergency
