Executive

The Executive is the organ of government that implements laws and runs the day-to-day administration.

• It includes both the President, who is the nominal head (de jure), and the Prime Minister with the Council of Ministers, who exercise real power (de facto).

📝 PYQ (BPSC 66th): Who is the real executive in India? → Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

---

Types of Executive

1. Nominal Executive

• President of India (Article 52)
• Head of State
• Performs functions on the advice of the Council of Ministers

2. Real Executive

• Prime Minister + Council of Ministers (Articles 74–75)
• Holds real power and responsibility for governance

---

Structure of Executive in India

1. The President of India (Articles 52–62)

• Elected by an electoral college (MPs + MLAs)
• Tenure: 5 years
• Powers:
  • Executive powers: Appoints PM, Governors, Judges of SC/HC, etc.
  • Legislative powers: Summons, prorogues Parliament, assents bills
  • Judicial powers: Pardoning under Article 72
  • Emergency powers: National, State, Financial Emergency

📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): Who appoints the Prime Minister? → President of India

---

2. The Vice President (Article 63)

• Elected by MPs only
• Ex-officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha
• Acts as President during temporary vacancy

---

3. Prime Minister (Articles 74–75)

• Head of the Government and real executive authority
• Appointed by President; must enjoy majority in Lok Sabha
• Powers:
  • Chairs meetings of Council of Ministers
  • Advises President on key matters
  • Leader of Lok Sabha
  • Represents nation at global forums

📝 PYQ (BPSC 64th): Real executive authority in India? → Prime Minister

---

4. Council of Ministers

• Formed under Article 74

• Three categories:

  • Cabinet Ministers – Key decision makers
  • Ministers of State – Assist cabinet ministers
  • Deputy Ministers – Junior-most rank

• Collective Responsibility: Council is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75)

📝 Expected MCQ: Article dealing with collective responsibility? → Article 75

---

5. Attorney General of India (Article 76)

• Chief legal advisor to Government of India
• Appointed by the President
• Can attend Parliament but cannot vote
• Term: Holds office during the pleasure of the President

---

6. Bureaucracy and Civil Services

• Implements executive decisions
• Led by Cabinet Secretary, followed by Secretaries, IAS, IPS, IFS officers
• Recruited by UPSC
• Permanent executive, unlike political executive

📝 PYQ (BPSC 68th): Who is the head of the permanent executive? → Bureaucracy/Civil Services

---

Functions of the Executive

• Policy-making and its implementation
• Maintaining law and order
• Managing defense and foreign policy
• Delivering public services
• Administering national schemes, budget execution
• Handling emergency provisions

---

Executive in States

• Governor (nominal head) + Chief Minister & Council of Ministers (real head)
• Similar structure to Union but limited to state subjects

📝 Expected MCQ: Who is the real executive at the state level? → Chief Minister

---

Key Articles Related to Executive

• Article 52 – President of India
• Article 63 – Vice-President
• Article 74 – Council of Ministers to aid and advise
• Article 75 – Collective Responsibility
• Article 76 – Attorney General
• Article 78 – Duties of PM towards President
• Article 153–167 – State Executive

---

Quick Revision Points

• Executive = President (nominal) + PM + Ministers (real)
• PM → Real power; President → Constitutional head
• Council of Ministers = Cabinet + MoS + Deputy
• Executive ensures law implementation, foreign policy, defense
• Bureaucracy = permanent executive
• Collective Responsibility – Article 75
• Executive at state level → CM and Ministers

---

Sources Used

• NCERT Class 11 Political Science – Indian Constitution at Work
• Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
• Lucent GK – Polity Section
• PRS Legislative Research
• Ghatna Chakra PYQs – BPSC/DPSC