NCERT Solutions - Executive

Q1 Parliamentary executive means:
(a) Executive where there is a parliament
(b) The executive elected by the parliament
(c) Where the parliament functions as the Executive
(d) An executive that is dependent on the support of the majority in the parliament
Ans:
(d) An executive that is dependent on the support of the majority in the parliament.

Q2: 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 power 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.
Ans: 
 Amit: I partly agree with Amit's argument, but with clarification.
The President generally acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, so in practice does not exercise real executive powers independently. However, the President is not merely a rubber stamp and can exercise limited discretion, such as asking the Council to reconsider its advice or acting in situations where no party has a clear majority.

Shama: Shama's argument is incorrect.
Although the President appoints the Prime Minister, he/she cannot remove the Prime Minister at will. The Prime Minister remains in office as long as he/she enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. Thus, removal is determined by the legislature, not directly by the President.

Rajesh: Rajesh's argument is also incorrect.
The President is an essential part of the parliamentary system. As the formal Head of State, the President ensures continuity in governance, performs constitutional functions, and plays an important role especially during political uncertainty.

Q3: Match the following

Ans:

Q4: Identify the ministry which may have released the following news items. Would this be a ministry of the central government or the State government? Why?

(a) An official release said that in 2004-05, the Tamil Nadu Textbooks Corporation would release new versions for standards VII, X and XI.
Ans: Ministry/Department: Ministry (Department) of Education
Level of Government: State Government
Reason: Education is a subject under the State List; thus, each State Government has the authority to legislate and implement education policies. Hence, the release is from the State Education Department.

(b) A new railway loop line bypassing the crowded Tiruvallur-Chennai section to help iron ore exporters. The new line, likely to be about 80 km long, will branch off at Puttur and then reach Athipattu near the port.
Ans: Ministry/Department: Ministry of Railways
Level of Government: Central Government
Reason: Railways is a subject included in the Union List and is managed exclusively by the Central Government. Hence, the Ministry of Railways has issued the news.

(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 the failure of crops.
Ans: 
Ministry/Department: Ministry (Department) of Agriculture
Level of Government: State Government
Reason: Agriculture is listed in the State List and falls under the jurisdiction of the State Government. Therefore, the news concerns the State Agriculture Department.

Q5: 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 the  Lok Sabha
Ans: (d)
Leader of the alliance or party that has the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
Q6: Read this discussion and say which of these statements applies most to India.
Alok: The Prime Minister is like a king; he decides everything in our country.
Shekhar: The Prime Minister is only 'first among equals', he does not have any special powers. All ministers and the PM have similar powers.
Bobby: The Prime Minister has to consider the expectations of the party members and other supporters of the government. But after all, the Prime Minister has a greater say in policy-making and in choosing the ministers.
Ans: 
The statement of Bobby applies most to India.

• In India, the Prime Minister is the head of the government but functions within a parliamentary system, making him "first among equals" in the Council of Ministers.
• The Prime Minister leads policy-making, coordinates government work, and advises the President on ministerial appointments, giving him more influence than other ministers.
• At the same time, the Prime Minister must consider the views of party members, allies, and Parliament, thereby not acting as an absolute ruler.

Q7: Why do you think the advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President? Give your answer in not more than 100 words.
Ans: 
The advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President because:

• The President is the formal head of state in a parliamentary democracy.
• Article 74(1) mandates a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President.
• The President is constitutionally required to act according to the aid and advice of the Council.
• This ensures that the elected government governs, while the President acts as a constitutional head, safeguarding democratic governance.
  

Q8: The parliamentary system of executive vests many powers in the legislature for controlling the executive. Why, do you think, is it so necessary to control the executive?
Ans:  In a parliamentary system, the executive is drawn from the legislature and is accountable to it. The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, remains in office only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

Control over the executive is necessary to ensure that it does not misuse its powers and remains responsible to the representatives of the people. This accountability makes the government responsive to public needs and expectations and helps maintain democratic governance.

Q9: 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 and more autonomous agencies which do not have to answer to the ministers.
(a) Do you think this will make the administration more people-friendly?
Ans: No. Removing political accountability can make administration arbitrary and less responsive to the people, as it may lack proper checks and citizen oversight.

(b) Do you think this will make administration more efficient?
Ans: No. Autonomous agencies may not align with elected government policies, creating conflicts that compromise efficiency and social welfare goals.

(c) Does democracy mean full control of elected representatives over the administration?
Ans: No. Democracy requires elected representatives to oversee and hold administration accountable, but administration needs a degree of autonomy to perform specialised functions effectively.

Q10: Write an essay of two hundred words on the proposal to have an elected administration instead of an appointed administration.
Ans:  Essay: Proposal for an Elected Administration
The proposal to have an elected administration suggests that administrative officials should be directly chosen by the people instead of being appointed. Supporters of this idea argue that it would make the administration more accountable and responsive to public needs, as officials would be directly answerable to the citizens. However, administration requires specialised knowledge, training and experience. In India, the permanent executive (bureaucracy) consists of trained professionals who assist in policy implementation and ensure continuity in governance. If administrators are elected, they may lack the necessary expertise and may prioritise short-term popular decisions over long-term national interest.
The present system maintains a balance between the political executive and the permanent executive. The political executive (elected leaders) is responsible for making policies and is accountable to the people, while the permanent executive ensures efficient and impartial implementation of these policies.
In conclusion, while an elected administration may increase direct accountability, it can weaken efficiency and professionalism. Therefore, a system that combines elected leadership with a skilled and appointed administrative machinery is more suitable for effective and stable governance.