Working of Institutions Test - 9

A constitution is primarily a set of rules and principles specifying how a country should be governed, how power is distributed and controlled, and what rights.

Under the Discretionary Powers of the President, if no single party gains majority and a "coalition government" is to be formed, President can exercise a little discretion and select the leader of any party who, in his opinion, can form a stable ministry. However, even in such a situation, his action should be guided by certain conventions. President may first invite a person and appoint him the Prime Minster and then ask him to prove his majority or seek a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha within a reasonable time.

The official head of Indian state is the President who is elected for every five years.

The President is a part of the Parliament which is a supreme legislative body.

The President is head of the legislature and has full powers to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha. 

• Ordinance: These are the temporary laws that are promulgated by the president of India on the recommendation of union cabinet. It can only be passed when parliament is not in session.
  
• Act: After a bill (which is a change proposed in parliament) is passed in both the houses, lower and upper and gets assent from the President it becomes an Act
  

• Bill is a draft legislation proposed by a member of parliament.
  
• A bill becomes an Act after it is passed in both the houses, lower and upper and gets assent from the president.
  

Allotment of portfolios to the ministers is not the function of the President. It comes under the function of Prime Minister as well as the Chief Minister of the state. The main functions of the President are as follows:

• Approving some bills for assent by State Legislatures.
• Appointment of election commissioners.
• Prior approval for money bills to be introduced in any house.

• President is elected by a voting body called Electoral College.
  
• Electoral College is a voting body which usually consists of elected representatives of people of all states.
  

The cabinet meetings are presided over by the Prime Minister.

In his absence, meetings are presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister selects his senior and trustworthy colleagues and advises the President to appoint them as Cabinet Ministers. 

President is the supreme commander of Indian armed forces. This is the military power vested in him. He appoints the Chiefs of the three wings of the Armed Forces, subject to certain rules and regulations. The President has the power to make declarations of war and peace on the advice of the Council of Ministers. 

Head of the government is the Prime Minister. He is the real head where as President is the nominal head. He is the elected representative of the people.