Morning Star Textbook Solutions: The President and the Vice-President | History and Civics Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Very Short Questions

Q1: How is the Executive of the Indian Union constituted?
Ans: The Indian Union's Executive comprises the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers.

Q2: Who is the chief executive authority of the Indian Union?
Ans: The President serves as the chief executive authority of the Indian Union.

Q3: Who elects the President of India?
Ans: The President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of members from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the State Legislative Assemblies within the Indian Union.

Q4: What is the term of office of the President?
Ans: The President of India serves for a term of five years.

Q5: What is an Electoral College?
Ans: An Electoral College is composed of legislatively elected members from both Houses of Parliament and elected members from State Legislative Assemblies, including assemblies of Union Territories.

Q6: By how many electors should the nomination papers for a prospective Presidential candidate be proposed and seconded?
Ans: A Presidential candidate's nomination requires proposal by at least ten electors and seconding by another ten electors.

Q7: Who constitutes the Electoral College for the election of the President?
Ans: The Electoral College includes elected members from State Legislative Assemblies alongside elected members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Q8: Who settles the disputes arising in connection with the election of a President?
Ans: The Supreme Court of India resolves any disputes regarding Presidential elections.

Q9: How is the value of an elected member of a Vidhan Sabha is worked out?
Ans: The value of a Vidhan Sabha member's vote is calculated using this formula:
(Total Population of the State / Elected Members of the Vidhan Sabha) × 1000

Q10: How is the value of the elected Members of Parliament worked out?
Ans: The value of Parliament members' votes is determined by:
Total Votes of all MLAs / Number of Elected Members of Parliament

Q11: What is the security amount a Presidential candidate has to deposit?
Ans: A Presidential candidate must deposit Rs. 15,000 as security when filing nomination papers.

Q12: Who administers the oath of office to the President?
Ans: The Chief Justice of India administers the oath of office to the President.

Q13: What are the emoluments of the President?
Ans: The President receives a monthly salary, pension after term completion, annual expenditure allowance, and resides rent-free in the Rashtrapathi Bhawan.

Q14: Who is the thirteenth President of India?
Ans: Mr. K. R. Narayanan was the thirteenth President of India.

Q15: Suppose the President has resigned, who will take his office in his absence?
Ans: The Vice-President assumes office when the President resigns.

Q16: What is an ordinance?
Ans: An ordinance is an authoritative directive issued by the President when Parliament is not in session.

Q17: When can the President issue ordinances?
Ans: The President can issue ordinances when the Parliament is not in session but law enactment is necessary.

Q18: What does the term impeachment mean?
Ans: Impeachment refers to the process by which Parliament can remove the President through a special trial for grave misconduct.

Q19: Whom does the President call upon to form the Government after the election of Lok Sabha?
Ans: After Lok Sabha elections, the President invites the Prime Minister to form the Government.

Q20: Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
Ans: The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

Q21: Who presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament?
Ans: The President presides over joint sittings of both Houses of Parliament.

Q22: When does the President address both the Houses of Parliament assembled together?
Ans: The President addresses both Houses together at the first session of Parliament's commencement.

Q23: Mention two financial powers of the President of India.
Ans: The President can: (1) Appoint the Finance Commission, and (2) Create a contingency fund.

Q24: State one limitation imposed on the powers of the President by the Council of Ministers.
Ans: The President must act according to the advice given by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, and this advice is binding.

Q25: Under what conditions can the President of India declare emergency?
Ans: The President can declare emergency when satisfied that India's security is endangered by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.

Q26: How long can a state of emergency remain in operation without Parliaments approval?
Ans: A state of emergency can remain in effect for two months without Parliament's approval.

Q27: How can the Vice-President of India be removed from his office?
Ans: The Vice-President can be removed through a resolution passed by Rajya Sabha majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

Q28: What is the distinction between the electors of the President and the Vice- President?
Ans: While the President is elected by both Parliament and State Legislative Assembly members, the Vice-President is elected solely by Parliament members.

Q29:  When can the Vice President cast a vote in the Rajya Sabha?
Ans: The Vice-President can cast a deciding vote in the Rajya Sabha during a tie.

Q30: Who takes charge if the office of both the President and the Vice-President falls vacant?
Ans: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court assumes the Presidency if both offices are vacant.

Short Questions – I

Q1: What is the position of the President of India?
Ans: Theoretically, the President holds all powers under Article 53(1), exercisable directly or through officers. However, per Article 74(1), the President must act on the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers' advice.

Q2: Mention two military powers of the President of India.
Ans: The President: 

• Serves as Supreme Commander of India's armed forces
• Can declare war or conclude peace treaties

Q3: Mention the three types of emergencies envisaged by the Constitution.
Ans: The Constitution provides for: 

• National emergency
• Emergency due to constitutional machinery breakdown
• Financial emergency

Q4: Mention any two effects of the Proclamation of Emergency on account of war or external aggression or armed rebellion.
Ans: Effects include: 

• Partial or complete suspension of Fundamental Rights
• Parliament gaining power to legislate on State List subjects

Q5: Mention the circumstances when the President can declare a National Emergency.
Ans: The President can declare National Emergency during: 

• War, external aggression, or armed rebellion (Article 352)
• Failure of Constitutional Machinery in a state (Article 360)

Q6: Write down the qualification for the Vice-President of India?
Ans: The Vice-President must: 

• Be an Indian citizen
• Be at least 30 years old
• Qualify for Rajya Sabha membership
• Hold no profit-making office under the Government of India

Q7: Mr. Konar was not found eligible for the election as the Vice-President of India even though he had the qualifications of being a citizen of India and not being a member of the Parliament and the State Legislature. On what grounds was he disqualified? Give one reason.
Ans: Mr. Konar may have been disqualified because he: (1) Did not meet the minimum age requirement of thirty-five years, or (2) Did not qualify for Council of States membership.

Q8: How is the Vice-President of India elected?
Ans: The Vice-President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament in a joint meeting, using proportional representation with a single transferable vote system and secret ballot.

Q9: What are the emoluments of the Vice-President?
Ans: The Vice-President receives no salary for that position but receives salary and allowances as Rajya Sabha Chairman. When acting as President, the Vice-President receives Presidential emoluments.

Q10: Mention any two functions of the Vice-President?
Ans: The Vice-President:

• Presides over Rajya Sabha meetings
• Acts as President during the President's inability to function due to illness, resignation, removal, or absence

Short Questions – II

Q1: Mention the common qualifications required to be eligible to become the President of India.
Ans: Presidential candidates must: (1) Be Indian citizens, (2) Be at least 35 years old, (3) Qualify for Lok Sabha membership, (4) Hold no profit-making office under government, and (5) Not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature.

Q2: What is the process of Impeachment of the President?
Ans: Impeachment process: 

• Either House can frame charges with two-thirds majority
• A 14-day notice signed by one-fourth of members is required
• The other House investigates charges
• If sustained by two-thirds majority of total membership, the President is impeached

Q3: What does the President solemnly undertake to do when he takes the oath of office?
Ans: In the oath, the President promises to: 

• Faithfully execute Presidential duties
• Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws
• Devote himself to serving the Indian people

Q4: In what conditions can the office of the President fall vacant?
Ans: The Presidential office becomes vacant upon: 

• Death (requiring elections within 6 months)
• Resignation
• Removal through impeachment for constitutional violations.

Q5: Explain the method by which the President can be removed from his duties.
Ans: The method of his removal: In case of violation of the Constitution, the Parliament may remove the President through the process of impeachment. The charges for this purpose may be framed by either House of Parliament in the form of a resolution by two-third majority of the total membership of House. A fourteen days notice signed by at least one-fourth of the total number of members has to be given. The other House investigates the charges levelled against the President. If the charges are established by the two-third majority of the total membership of the other House also, the President is impeached and removed from office forthwith.

Q6: Explain any three Judicial powers of the President of India.
Ans: The President's judicial powers include: 

• Granting pardons or commuting sentences
• Immunity from legal proceedings for official duties
• Protection from criminal suits during tenure

Q7: The President of India is vested with Military powers. Discuss about them.
Ans: Military powers: The President is vested with military powers also which are:
(i) The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces of India.
(ii) He appoints the Chiefs of the three wings of the Army, subject to certain rules and regulations.
(iii) He can declare war or conclude peace with any foreign power on the advice of Council of Ministers.

Q8: The President of India enjoys vast powers. In this context explain certain Diplomatic powers.
Ans: Diplomatic powers: Being the head of the state, the President has certain Diplomatic powers which are:

The President's diplomatic powers include: 

• Appointing Ambassadors and High Commissioners
• Entering treaties or declaring war on India's behalf
• Receiving foreign diplomatic representatives

Q9: Explain two Discretionary powers of the President.
Ans: Two Discretionary powers of the President are:
(i) The President has to be informed of all important decision and deliberations of the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister is bound to provide whatever information the President seeks.
(ii) The President cannot dismiss the Prime Minister in a Parliamentary System, as long as he enjoys a majority. But in case no single party gets a majority, then the President can write to the person who can govern with a majority support to form a Coalition Government which would be stable.

Q10: Why is the President of India referred to as a nominal head of the state?
Ans: The President is considered nominal because: 

• Real executive power lies with the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
• Presidential emergency proclamations require Parliamentary approval within one month.

Long Questions

Q1: Justify the need for ‘Indirect Election’of the President.
Ans: The President of India is elected indirectly to ensure a democratic yet stable form of representation that reflects the federal structure of the nation. This method uses proportional representation through a single transferable vote system, involving an electoral college consisting of elected members from both the Houses of Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies. This formula helps balance the vote value of state representatives against the population they represent, and equalizes the influence between state and national legislators in choosing the Head of State, ensuring no undue advantage to any state.

Q2: The President of India occupies the highest office in the Country. In this context explain the Legislative Powers.
Ans: As part of the Parliament, which includes the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the President holds significant legislative powers. These include inaugurating the Parliament sessions, summoning or proroguing sessions, dissolving the Lok Sabha, and addressing either a joint or separate session of Parliament. These powers facilitate the functioning of the legislative process and ensure the President's role as an integral part of the governance structure.

Q3: Explain the Financial Powers of the President of India.
Ans: The President plays a crucial role in India's financial governance. Key responsibilities include presenting the annual budget and financial statements to Parliament, approving the introduction of money bills, allocating shares of income tax revenue between the Union and the States, managing the contingency fund of India for unforeseen expenses, and appointing the Finance Commission to recommend the distribution of financial resources.

Q4: Explain the Executive Powers of the President of India.
Ans: Although the President's role is largely ceremonial, several executive powers are significant. These include the requirement that all executive actions of the government be taken in the President's name, the ability to make rules for more efficient government operations, the right to be kept informed of all executive decisions by the Prime Minister, and overseeing all Union government officers.

Q5: Mention the reason, when can General or National Emergency be declared and three consequences of emergency declared under Article 352 of the Constitution?
Ans: General or National Emergency: The President may declare a General Emergency at any time if he is satisfied that the security of India or any part is in danger or is likely to be in danger either due to war or external aggression or armed rebellion. This type of emergency is proclaimed under Article 352 of the Constitution. If emergency under Article 352 is declared, it has the following impacts:
(i) The President becomes the sole administrator of the country.
(ii) The Federal structure of the country is converted into a unitary one.
(iii) The Governor of the States act in accordance with his instructions.
(iv) The exercise of Fundamental Rights including Right to Constitutional remedies is suspended.

Q6: When can General or National Emergency be declared? State three consequences of emergency declared under article 356 of the constitution?
Ans: A State Emergency, or President's Rule, can be declared under Article 356 if there's a breakdown of constitutional machinery in a state. During this period, the state comes under the direct control of the central government, with the Governor acting on behalf of the President, effectively centralizing administrative powers and sidelining the state legislature and executive.

Q7: How is the Vice-President of India elected and what are his functions?
Ans: The Vice-President of India is elected by an ‘Electoral College’ consisting of members of both the Houses of Parliament. The procedure of his election consists of a secret ballot proportional representation and single transferable vote. An absolute majority of votes polled is required for the election of the Vice-President of India.
Functions:
(i) The Vice-President of India is the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
(ii) The Vice-President of India officiates as the President for six months till a new President is elected.
(iii) The Vice-President can also act as a President when the latter is unable to discharge his functions due to illness, resignation, removal and absence. When the Vice-President discharges the functions of the President, he is entitled to same privileges and powers.