1. Why do democratic governments insist on Political Institutions?

Answer:
Institutions make it difficult to have a good decisions taken very quickly.
But they also make it equally difficult to rush through a bad decisions. That is why
democratic governments insist on political institutions.

2. What is the role of Parliament in law making?

Answer:
Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country.
Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws or abolish
existing laws and make new ones in their place.

3. How does Lok Sabha exercise money powers?

Answer:
Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha
passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha
cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can delay it by 14 days or suggest changes in it. The
Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes.

4. How does Lok Sabha exercise control over the Council of Ministers?

Answer:
Lok Sabha controls the council of ministers. If the majority of the Lok
Sabha members say they have 'no confidence' in the council of ministers including the
prime minister, have to quit. The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.

5. Who is called 'Permanent Executive'?

Answer:
Permanent Executive members are appointed on a long term basis. They
are called permanent executive or civil services. They remain in office even when the
ruling party changes. These officers work under political executive and assist them in
carrying out day-to-day administration.

6. How does the President act as Executive Head?

Answer:
The president is the head of the state. In our political system the head of
the state exercises only nominal powers. The president of India is like the queen of
Britain whose functions are to a large extent ceremonial. The president supervises the
overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country so that they operate in
harmony to achieve the objectives of the state.

7.How does President give his assent to a bill?

Answer:
A bill passed by the parliament becomes a law only after the President
gives assent to it. If the president wants he/she can delay this for some time and send
the bill back to the parliament for reconsideration. But if the parliament passes the bill
again, she/he has to sign it.

How is the chief justice of India appointed?

Answer:
The senior most Judge of the supreme court is usually appointed the chief
justice. Once a person is appointed as the Judge of the Supreme Court or the High
Courts it is nearly impossible to remove him or her from that position.

Who are the major functionaries in India?

Answer:
The major functionaries of our country are: (i) The President who is the
head of the state and is the highest formal authority in the country. (ii) The Prime
Minister who is the head of the government and one who actually exercises all the
government powers. He takes most of the decisions in the cabinet meetings. (iii) The
Parliament which consists of two Houses?Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Prime
Minister must have the support of a majority of the Lok Sabha members.

Why had the Mandal Commission become a debatable issue in India?

Answer:
(i) The newspapers and magazines were full of different views and
opinions on this issue. (ii) It led to widespread protests and counter-protests, some of
which were violent. (iii) People reacted strongly because this decision affected
thousands of job opportunities. (iv) Some felt that the existence of inequalities among
people of different castes in India necessitated job reservations. (v) Others were of the
view that this was unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who did not
belong to a backward community. (vi) Some felt that this would hamper national
unity.

What are the basic powers and functions of each institution in India?

Answer:
(i) The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are institutions that take all
important policy decisions. (ii) The Civil Servants, who work together with the
ministers, are responsible for taking steps to implement the ministers' decisions. (iii)
The Supreme Court is an institution where disputes: (a) between citizens of the
country, (b) between citizens and the government, (c) between two or more state
governments and (d) between union and state governments are finally settled.

State how working with institutions is not an easy task.

Answer:
(i) Institutions involve rules and regulations. This can bind the hands of the leaders.
(ii) Institutions involve meetings, committees and routines. This often leads to
delays and complications. Therefore, dealing with institutions can be frustrating.
(iii) Some of the delays and complications introduced by the institutions are very
useful. They provide an opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted in any
decision-making.
(iv) Institutions make it difficult to take good decisions very quickly, but they also
make it equally difficult to rush through a bad decision.

How are ministers appointed?

Answer:
(i) The ministers are usually from the party or the coalition that has the
majority in the Lok Sabha. (ii) The Prime Minister is free to choose ministers as long
as they are members of Parliament. (iii) Sometimes, a person who is not a member of
Parliament can also become a minister. But such a person has to get elected to one of
the Houses of Parliament within six months of appointment as minister.
What does executive mean?
Answer:
(i) At different levels of any government, we find functionaries who take day-to-day
decisions but do not exercise supreme powers on behalf of the people.
(ii) All those functionaries are collectively known as executive. (iii) They are called
executive because they are in charge of the 'execution' of the policies of the
government. Thus, when we talk about 'the government' we usually mean 'executive'.

In what ways does the Lok Sabha exercise more powers than the Rajya Sabha?

Answer:
(i) Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses. But if there is a
difference between the two Houses, the final decision is taken in a joint session.
However, since the number of members in the Lok Sabha are more; their view or
decision is more likely to prevail.
(ii) The Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha
passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha
cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can delay it only by 14 days or can suggest changes
in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept the change.
(iii) The Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. If the majority of the Lok
Sabha members say that they have 'no confidence' in the Council of Ministers; all the
ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. The Rajya Sabha does not have
this power.

Who forms the cabinet?

Answer:(i) Cabinet is formed by the top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties
who are in charge of the major ministries. (ii) Usually the cabinet meets to take
decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers. (iii) Cabinet is thus the inner ring
of the Council of Ministers. It comprises about twenty ministers.
What is Impeachment Motion?
Answer:
(i) A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by
two-third members of the two Houses of the Parliament.
(ii) Similarly, with impeachment, even President of India can be removed. It is passed
by both the Houses of Parliament by two-third members majority.
How is the president of india elected?
Answer:
The President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of
the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the
Legislative Assemblies of States and the Union Territories.
How is the prime minister of india elected?
Answer:
The prime minister is appointed by the president of India; however the prime
minister has to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Lok Sabha members, who are
directly elected every five years, lest the prime minister shall resign.

Which two categories constitute the executive in a democraticcountry?

Answer:
(i) Political Executive: One that is elected by the people for a specific period is
called the 'political executive'. Political leaders who take big decisions fall in this
category.
(ii) Permanent Executive: In this category, people are appointed on a long-term
basis. This is called the permanent executive or civil services. They are the civil
servants. They remain in office even when the ruling party changes. These
officers work under ministers and assist them in carrying out the day-to-day
administration.