Chapter 20. Governance at the Union Level Textbook Solutions

NIOS Social Science Class 10 Chapter 20 Solutions

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.1

1. How is the President of India elected?

Ans: The President is indirectly elected by an Electoral College which consists of the elected members of the two Houses of the Parliament, as well as of the State Legislative Assemblies. Moreover, the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry (earlier known as Pondicherry) also participate in this election. The voting is by secret ballot. He/She is elected according to the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

2. Fill in the blanks:

(i) The President is Head …………………….

Ans: of the State

(ii) In order to be qualified for election as President, a person must:

(a) ……………………. (b) ……………………. (c) …………………….

Ans: (a) be a citizen of India (b) have completed the age of 35 years (c) be qualified for being elected as a Member of Lok Sabha (d) not hold any office of profit

(iii) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, ……….. shall act as the President of India.

Ans: The Vice President of India

(iv) The four major categories of powers of the President are (a) …………………….

(b) ……………………. (c) ……………………. and (d) …………………….

Ans: (a) Executive Powers (b) Legislative Powers (c) Financial Powers (d) Judicial Powers

3. How many times does the President convene the sessions of Parliament in a year? What are the names of the sessions? (Gather this information through books on the Indian Constitution, or through the Internet, or by consulting your teachers, classmates and friends.)

Ans: Gather this information through books on the Indian Constitution, or through the Internet, or by consulting your teachers, classmates and friends.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.2

(i) How is the second category of emergency proclaimed? What is its impact on the State?

Ans: The second type of emergency is proclaimed when the constitutional machinery of any State breaks down, and the President is satisfied based on the report of the Governor or otherwise that the State cannot be administered in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. During this period, the concerned State Assembly is either dissolved or remains suspended. The Governor of the State performs all the executive functions in the name of the President.

(ii) What is the role of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister in the proclamation of emergency?

Ans: The Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, plays an important role in the proclamation of an emergency. The President can issue a proclamation only when such a decision has been communicated to him/her in writing by the Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.

(iii) Do you agree that during the period of coalition governments, the position of the President is very effective? Give reasons.

Ans: Write your answer based on your understanding.

(iv) Which of the following statements are true and which are false?

(a) President is the real head of government.

Ans: false

(b) The President is just a ‘rubber stamp’.

Ans: False

(c) The President neither rules nor reigns.

Ans: true

(d) The President preserves, protects and defends the Constitution.

Ans: true

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.3

1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister is the ……………………………..

Ans: real executive

(b) The President should invite the person who is elected as ……………. of the …………. to become the Prime Minister.

Ans: leader, majority

(c) The Prime Minister is the …………………………….. head of the ……………………………..

Ans: real, government

(d) The Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendations of the …………………..

Ans: Prime Minister

2. Answer the following questions:

(a) How are the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers dislodged before the completion of their term?

Ans: If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers

(b) Who acts as a link between the Council of Ministers and the President?

Ans: The Prime Minister

(c) What are the three categories of the Ministers in the Council of Ministers?

Ans: Cabinet Minister, Minister of State, Deputy Minister

(d) Who presides over the meetings of the Cabinet?

Ans: The Prime Minister

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.4

1. Answer the following questions:

(i) What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?

Ans: 550

(ii) What is the tenure of the members of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: 6 years

(iii) Which house of Parliament is a permanent body?

Ans: Rajya Sabha

(iv) Who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?

Ans: The Vice President of India

(v) What are the functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

Ans: To preside over the sessions, maintain order and discipline, to allow members to speak, to decide if a bill is a money bill and to preside over the joint session of Parliament

(vi) What are the qualifications for being a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections?

Ans: (i) a citizen of India (ii) of at least 25 years of age (iii) not holding an office of profit

2. Fill in the blanks:

(i) An Ordinary Bill can be introduced in ………………………

Ans: Any House of Parliament

(ii) If the differences between both the Houses continue, the President convenes a ……………………… session of Parliament.

Ans: joint

(iii) A money bill can be introduced only in the ………………………

Ans: Lok Sabha

(iv) For having a control over the Council of Ministers, both Houses can

(i) ……………………… and (ii) move ……………………… motions.

Ans: (i) ask questions and supplementary questions, (ii) adjournment motion and calling attention

3. Which of the following statements is true and which is false:

(i) Ordinary bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Ans: false

(ii) Money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

Ans: true

(iii) No bill can become a law unless it is signed by the President.

Ans: true

(iv) In the joint session convened on account of the differences between two houses on a bill, Lok Sabha has an upper hand over the Rajya Sabha.

Ans: true

4. What qualities would you like to see in Members/Ministers when they participate in the proceedings of the Houses of Parliament?

Ans: Answer based on your own understanding of what the good qualities should be.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.5

1. Fill in the blanks:

(i) India has a ……………………. judiciary.

Ans: unified

(ii) The Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by ……………………

Ans: The President of India

(iii) A Judge of the Supreme Court can be removed through the process of ……………………

Ans: impeachment

(iv) The ultimate power of interpreting the Indian Constitution lies with the ……………………

Ans: the Supreme Court

2. Which of the following statements is true and which one is false?

(i) The Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Chief Justice of India

Ans: false

(ii) The Supreme Court has a Chief Justice and 30 Judges.

Ans: true

(iii) Judges of Supreme Court hold office till they attain the age of 65 years.

Ans: true

(iv) Judicial activism has concentrated on giving the disadvantaged the access to justice.

Ans: true

(v) The President of India must accept the advice given by the Supreme Court on the matter that was referred to it by the President for advice.

Ans: true

TERMINAL EXERCISES

(i) How is the President of India elected? How can he/she be removed from office?

Ans: The President is indirectly elected by an Electoral College which consists of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament as well as of State Legislative Assemblies. Moreover, the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry (earlier known as Pondicherry) also participate in this election. The voting is by secret ballot. She/he is elected according

to the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

The President can be removed from office by impeachment. Impeachment ( a resolution to remove the President for his/her unconstitutional act) is to be adopted by a special majority of votes in both the Houses of Parliament.

(ii) What are the powers and functions of the President of India? In spite of so many powers given by the Constitution, why is it said that the President does not rule but represents the nation?

Ans: The President has the following powers,

(a) Executive Powers: The President

Appoints the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the majority party or group of parties having majority in the lower house, the Lok Sabha.
Appoints other members of the Council of Ministers on the recommendations of the Prime Minister.
All diplomatic work is conducted, and all international treaties and agreements are negotiated and concluded in his/her name.
All executive actions of the Union must be expressed to be taken in the name of the President. The executive power of the President includes the power of appointment of Governors in the States, the Attorney General of India, the Comptroller, the Auditor General of India, the Ambassadors and High Commissioners as well as the Administrators of the Union Territories, the Chairman and Members of the Union Public Service Commission, Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. Moreover, the President is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and appoints the Chiefs of the three wings, Army, Airforce and Navy.

(b) Legislative Powers:

The President addresses the Parliament every year at the commencement of the first session and after each general election to the Lok Sabha.
He/She summons and prorogues the sessions of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Without his/her assent, no bill can become a law or an Act.
If the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha fail to agree on the passage of any bill, the President can call a joint session to resolve the issue.
Whenever Parliament is not in session, the President, on the request of the Prime Minister, can issue an ordinance, which has the force of a law.

(c) Financial Powers: No money bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha without his/her prior recommendation. In other words, all the money bills are initiated in the Lok Sabha only with the assent

of the President. The President gives his consent for it to be laid before the Lok Sabha before the beginning of every financial year.

(d) Judicial Powers: The President of India, as Head of the State, possesses certain special judicial prerogatives. He/She has the power to grant a pardon or reduce the sentence of a person convicted of an offence.

(iii) Examine and evaluate the role of the Prime Minister in India.

Ans: The Prime Minister is the ‘principal spokesperson’ and defender of the policies of the government in the Parliament. The Council of Ministers functions as his/her team.

The nation looks to him/her for needed policies and programmes and required actions.
All international agreements and treaties with other countries are concluded with the consent of the Prime Minister.
He/She has a special status both in the government and in the Parliament.
The Prime Minister has to be very vigilant and diplomatic, especially when working as a coalition government.
He/She has to make major decisions regarding defence and security of the country.
He/She has to formulate policies not only for providing better living conditions but also to maintain peace and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries.

Thus, it is clear that the Prime Minister is the keystone of the cabinet arch.

(iv) Is it appropriate to say that ‘Rajya Sabha is not only the second chamber but also a secondary chamber’? Justify your answer.

Ans: Lok Sabha is definitely more powerful than the Rajya Sabha. But it will not be appropriate to state that the Rajya Sabha is not only the second chamber, but also a secondary chamber. Here are some reasons.

If the differences between both houses continue and a joint session is convened, the Lok Sabha gets an upper hand, as its membership is more than double that of the Rajya Sabha.
In respect of having control over the Council of Ministers, once again, the Lok Sabha is more effective. Rajya Sabha can have some control by debating on the policies and programmes and criticizing the government. But only the Lok Sabha has the power to pass a no-confidence motion, which, if done, results in the Council of Ministers’ resignation.
In financial matters, the Lok Sabha has an upper hand; it is only the Rajya Sabha that may create a new All India Service and declare a subject in the State List to be of national importance.

(v) How is the Supreme Court constituted? What is its jurisdiction?

Ans: The Supreme Court of India consists of the Chief Justice and other Judges whose number is prescribed by the Parliament from time to time. The Supreme Court, at present, consists of the Chief Justice and 30 Judges.

The Chief Justice and other Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India.
For appointing the Chief Justice of India, the other Judges of the Supreme or High Courts may be consulted. Usually, the senior-most Judge in the Supreme Court is appointed as the Chief Justice.
For the appointment of other Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice has to be consulted.
Usually, the Chief Justice himself consults a collegium of the four senior-most Judges, and all of them need to agree for any candidate to be recommended for the appointment of a judge.

(vi) Is judicial activism a boon or a bane of Indian democracy? Justify your answer with three reasons.

Ans: For the Indian democracy, judicial activism is more like a boon.

It has support from the public because it has concentrated on giving the disadvantaged access to justice.
It uses the instrument of Public Interest Litigation (PIL), with which any person can bring a petition about a problem before the court, and not just the person affected by the problem.
PIL has often been used on behalf of people who are poor or disadvantaged and do not have the means to approach the court.
With judicial activism and PIL, courts have given judgments on pollution, the need for a uniform civil code, eviction of unauthorized buildings, stopping child labour in dangerous occupations, and other issues.