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Vocabulary flashcards summarising key constitutional terms, offices and powers related to the Indian President and Vice-President.
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President of India
Constitutional head of state and head of the Union Executive who acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Nominal Head of State
A leader who formally holds executive power but exercises it only on ministerial advice; role played by the Indian President in a parliamentary system.
Council of Ministers
Body headed by the Prime Minister that advises the President and exercises real executive power.
Prime Minister of India
Head of government who leads the Council of Ministers and is appointed by the President.
Qualifications for President
Citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be elected to the Lok Sabha; must not hold an office of profit.
Term of Office (President)
Five years, with eligibility for re-election; continues until successor assumes office.
Electoral College (Presidential)
Elected MPs and elected MLAs who vote to choose the President of India.
Office of Profit
A government post that yields financial gain; holders are disqualified from contesting the Presidential election.
Proposers and Seconders Requirement
Presidential nomination must have 50 proposers and 50 seconders from the Electoral College (raised from 10 each in 1997).
Value of Vote
Numerical weight assigned to each MP’s or MLA’s vote in a Presidential election, calculated to maintain federal balance.
Indirect Election
Method where citizens do not vote directly; the President and Vice-President are chosen by elected representatives.
Single Transferable Vote System
Proportional representation method with preferential ballots used in Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.
Proportional Representation
Electoral principle ensuring seats or outcomes reflect the proportion of votes received.
Impeachment (President)
Removal process for violation of the Constitution requiring a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.
Vacancy in Presidential Office
Can arise by expiry of term, death, resignation, or impeachment; must be filled within six months if mid-term.
Emoluments (President)
Salary, allowances, and rent-free furnished residence determined by Parliament and not diminished during tenure.
Executive Powers of President
Include issuing orders, forming the Council of Ministers, appointing high dignitaries, and administering Union Territories.
Legislative Powers of President
Summons, prorogues and dissolves the Lok Sabha, nominates members to Rajya Sabha, addresses Parliament, and assents to Bills.
Financial Powers of President
Prior recommendation for Money Bills, presentation of the Budget, and control of the Contingency Fund.
Pardoning Power
Authority to grant pardon, reprieve, commutation, remission, or respite to persons convicted of offences.
Ordinance-Making Power
Power to promulgate temporary laws when Parliament is not in session; ordinances lapse if not approved within six weeks of reassembly.
Emergency Powers
Special powers to declare National Emergency, President’s Rule, or Financial Emergency under specified constitutional articles.
National or General Emergency
Proclamation under Article 352 during war, external aggression, or armed rebellion affecting the whole or part of India.
President’s Rule
Emergency under Article 356 imposed when a State’s constitutional machinery fails; Parliament assumes State functions.
Financial Emergency
Article 360 provision allowing the President to act when India’s financial stability or credit is threatened.
Supreme Commander
Role of the President as head of India’s defence forces, exercised according to parliamentary law.
Assent to Legislation
President’s approval required for a Bill to become law; may withhold or return non-money Bills once for reconsideration.
Money Bill
Finance-related Bill that can be introduced only on Presidential recommendation and in Lok Sabha.
Contingency Fund of India
Fund at the President’s disposal for meeting unforeseen expenditure pending parliamentary approval.
Administrator of Union Territory
Official through whom the President governs a Union Territory as provided by the Constitution.
Discretionary Powers of President
Limited areas where the President may act without or contrary to ministerial advice, e.g., asking for reconsideration of advice.
Immunity of President
During tenure, no criminal proceedings can be instituted and no court can require the President to answer for official acts.
Vice-President of India
Second highest constitutional office; ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and first in line to act as President.
Qualifications for Vice-President
Citizen of India, at least 35 years old, eligible for Rajya Sabha membership, and not holding an office of profit.
Term of Office (Vice-President)
Five years, continuing until a successor assumes office; can resign by writing to the President.
Removal of Vice-President
Can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an absolute majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
Electoral College (Vice-Presidential)
All elected and nominated members of both Houses of Parliament who vote to elect the Vice-President.
Ex-Officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Primary role of the Vice-President, presiding over the Upper House and regulating its proceedings.
Casting Vote
Deciding vote exercised by the Rajya Sabha Chairman (Vice-President) in case of a tie.