Its about Indian Government for IGCSE/CBSE, Grade 8 students. Reach me at http://brinsmith.blogspot.in

2. The Central Government-
Organisation and Working

3. Indian Government
• India is a largest country which is divided into
number of states.
• The constitution of India provides for government
in two levels they are:
 The state government
 The central (union) government
• Constitution separates the government into three
branches.

4. The Three branches of the government
Executive Branch
Which implements the
laws
Judicial Branch
Which interprets laws and
applies the laws, and
administers justice
Legislative Branch
Which makes laws

6. PARLIAMENT OF
INDIA

7. The Parliament of India is the
supreme legislative body in
India. The Parliament
comprises the President of
India and the two Houses—
Lok Sabha (House of the
People) and Rajya
Sabha (Council of States). The
Lok Sabha Consists of
members who are directly
elected representatives of the
people, while the Rajya Sabha
is composed mainly of
representatives of the states,
Legislative Assemblies.

10. LOK SABHA

11. The Lok Sabha or House
of the People is the lower
house of the Parliament
of India. The members of
lok Sabha are directly
elected by the people.
The Lok Sabha meets in
the Lok Sabha
Chambers, Sansad
Bhavan, Sansad
Marg, New Delhi.

12. • The lok Sabha is the
centre of political activity
in India because it is a
chamber consisting of
members elected by
Indian citizens, on the
basis of universal adult
franchise.

13. • Universal Adult Franchise
means that all Indian
Citizens above the age of
18 have the right to elect
their representatives.
• Popular opinion is
reflected in, and
expressed by, the
members of the Lok
Sabha.

14. Central Government
Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
Prime
Minister and
Council of
Civil Service Ministers

15. LOK SABHA
• When the Constitution was framed, it was laid
down that the Lok Sabha cannot consist of more
than 500 members, the number being based on
Population figures.
• The strength of Lok Sabha was increased, with the
rise in population of the country.
• The present strength of the Lok Sabha is 545
members.
• They include Anglo-Indian members nominated by
the President to represent the community.

16. DURATION OF LOK SABHA
A five year term has been fixed for the Lok
Sabha, Unless it is dissolved earlier by the
President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

17. Qualification for the Lok Sabha Members
• To be a member of Lok Sabha, a person must be an
Indian citizen, must be mentally sound and must
have completed 25 year old of Age.
• A candidate may stand for election from any part of
the country
• No person can be a member of both houses of a
Parliament or of the Parliament and the state
legislature at the same time.
• No member of Parliament can hold a office of profit
under the state and central governments or local
authority.

18. The Speaker of Lok Sabha
• The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha is called as
the speaker.
• The Lok Sabha elects it’s Speaker and it’s deputy
speaker from amongst it’s members.
• They are both removable by a resolution passed by
a majority of the members.
• The speaker is expected to be utterly impartial,
regardless of his or her party affiliations in
conducting the business of the house.
• He or She enforces discipline, protects the rights
and privileges of the member and also the dignity
of the house.

22. The Rajya Sabha or Council of States
is the upper house of the Parliament
of India. Membership is limited to
250 members, 12 of whom are
nominated by the President of India
for their contributions to art,
literature, science, and social
services.

23. Rajya Sabha
• The representatives of the states are
elected by elected members of the State
Legislative Assemblies.
• Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of
representatives,31
• States like Goa, Nagaland, Arunachal
Pradesh have one representative

24. Term of Rajya Sabha Members
• The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and is not
subject to dissolution.
• One-third of the members of Rajya Sabha retire
after every two years in accordance with the
provisions made by the Parliament by law.
• Thus, the members of the Rajya Sabha are
elected for a term of six years.
• This arrangement ensures continuity as well as
representation of the changing public opinion.

25. Advantages
• Politically, it remains more stable than the Lok
Sabha.
• After every election is a new house.
• A periodic influx of fresh talent occurs.

26. Qualifications for Rajya Sabha
Members
 A person seeking membership of Rajya Sabha must
possess the following qualifications:
 He must be a citizen of India.
 He must not be less than 30 years of age.
 He must be Parliamentary elector in the state
from which he is seeking election.
 He must make and subscribe before some
person authorized in that behalf by the
Election Commission an oath or affirmation
asserting his allegiance to the constitution of India
 He must possess such other qualifications as may be
prescribed by the Parliament for that purpose from
time to time.

27. Powers of the Rajya Sabha
• The legislative powers of the Rajya Sabha are
coordinated with the Lok Sabha, except
financial bills.
• Other bills can be introduced in either house
but need to be passed by both houses.
• But the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the
Rajya Sabha because it is the popularly
elected house.

28. The functioning of Parliament
• Both houses of Parliament make their own
rules of procedures for the proper functioning
of business.
• Some rules are constitutional
• Every member has to take an oath before
assuming their seat.
• For transacting the business on the agenda, a
quorum or minimum attendance is required

29. The Question Hour
• The first hour of each sitting of Parliament is
called the Question Hour.
• When the speaker admits a question, it has to be
answered by the minister concerned
• This is to draw the attention of the people.
• Generally the questions have to be sent a week in
advance.
• Under special conditions they can ask questions
at short notice.
• After this the rest of the agenda like the
introduction of bills and discussions on them is
dealt with

30. Legislation or the making
of laws
The main function of Parliament
is legislation, which means the
making of laws.

31. The Introduction of the Bill
• Lawmaking involves several steps.
• First, a bill is introduced in the Parliament.
• Second the bill is passed by the Parliament.
• Third, the bill, after getting passed by the Parliament is sent to
the President for his assent.
• When the bill is adopted in the Parliament, it be an Act.
• When an Act gets the assent of the Parliament, it becomes
the law of the land.
• A Bill is a technical name given to the draft of the proposal
which is moved in Parliament.
• Non-Money Bills can be introduced either in the Lok Sabha or
in the Rajya Sabha.
• But the Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
• A Money Bill, before it is introduced in the Lower House, has
to receive the approval of the President

32. The Reading of the Bill
• Every bill goes through three stages of reading
in each houses.
STAGES
FIRST READING SECOND READING THIRD READING
The aims and
purposes of the bill are
discussed.
If these find favour
with the house the bill
goes to the next stage.
It is more of a
formality.
Once adopted by
one house it goes to
the other house for a
similar procedure
Here, it is
discussed clause by
clause and
amendments are
moved, voted and
debated upon.

33. Seeking the President’s Approval
• After the bill is approved by both houses of
Parliament, it is sent to the President for approval
• If the president agrees with the bill, he or she signs it
and the bill becomes a law or an act.
• It is called the President’s assent.
• If not he or she sends it back for changes to the
house.
• The bill then goes to the president for approval again.
• This time the president has to pass it.
• If one of the houses rejects a bill, the president calls
for a joint session of both houses.
• In this session the bill is accepted or rejected by a
simple majority of votes.

34. Procedure Regarding the Budget
BUDGET
• It is the balance sheet of a country which
shows its income and expenditure for the
current year.
• It is also the statement of the estimated
income and expenditure for the following
year.

35. Presenting the Budget
• The budget is presented to the Parliament by
the Finance Minister on the last working day
of February every year.
• Copies of the budget are then circulated
among the members of Parliament for
discussion.
• Every item of the budget is discussed in the
Lok Sabha.

36. Presenting the Budget
• Each minister then presents an estimated
expenditure for his or her own ministry.
• Then the members raise objections and
demand cuts in expenditure.
• This is called a token out.
• The minister has then to justify their
demands and satisfy the member’s
questions before the token out is removed
and the grant is sanctioned.

37. Presenting the Budget
• The proposal of new taxes for the coming year
is also discussed.
• After this the budget is sent to the Rajya
Sabha which has no powers to amend or
reject it.
• It can only discuss the budget and suggest
changes.

38. Presenting the Budget
• Great care is exercised in financial matters
because finance is of vital importance to a
country’s economy.
• Two special committees are set up to ensure
that public money is spent properly.

39. Presenting the Budget
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
These two committees ensure that public
funds are spent in a manner which brings
the greatest good to the greatest number
of people.
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
COMMITTEE
It consists of members from
both houses but with a
majority from the Lok Sabha
It consists of members
only from the Lok Sabha.

40. The Executive
• The union executive carries out or ensures
the laws made by Parliament.
• It handles most of the day to day work of the
country.
• It consists of
The President
The Vice – President
The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime
Minister

41. The President
• The President is not the real head of the
executive
• The president is only the nominal head
of the state.
• But the President holds the most
exalted office in the country
• The President is in a position of great
authority and dignity

42. Qualifications of the President
To become the president of India, a person has
to fulfill the following conditions:
He or she must be an Indian citizen of age 35
years and over.
He or she must be qualified to be a member
of the Lok Sabha.
He or she cannot hold an office of profit
under the union or state governments or any
local body

43. Election of the President
• The president is elected for a term of five
years by an electoral college.
• The electoral college consists of members of
both houses of Parliament and the members
of the Legislative Assemblies.
• The members cast their votes by secret ballot
• Secret ballot is a process by which a voter’s
choice is kept secret from others.

44. Powers of the President
• The President has a wide range of powers.
POWERS OF THE
PRESIDENT
EMERGENCY
POWERS
LEGISLATIVE
POWERS
EXECUTIVE
POWERS

45. Powers of the President
Executive Powers
• The President is the supreme commander of the
armed forces, although its exercise is governed
by law.
• The President makes senior appointments.
The Prime Minister and Other ministers
The Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court
and High Courts
The Chairman and members of the Union Public
Service Commission
Ambassadors and Diplomatic representatives
The Auditor – General
The Attorney – General
And other such positions

46. Powers of the President
Executive Powers
• The President also has the powers to pardon
an offender and reduce or annul a court
sentence
• The Prime Minister has to keep him or her
informed of all decisions of the Council of
Ministers.

47. Powers of the President
Legislative Powers
• The President is an integral part
of the legislative process
• His or her assent is required for
the passing of a law
• The president is not a member
of Parliament but enjoys
numerous powers

48. Powers of the President
Legislative Powers
The Legislative powers of the President
are as follows:
He or she has a right to address either
house or both houses assembled
together during joint session
He or she may summon and prorogue
the two houses and can dissolve the
Lok Sabha, though this can be done on
the advice of the Council of Ministers

49. Powers of the President
Legislative Powers
The Legislative powers of the President are as
follows:
When a bill is sent to the President for
assent, he or she is allowed to withhold it or
return the bill to Parliament for
consideration.
Certain bills such as those for the formation
of new states can be introduced only with
the President’s permission

50. Powers of the President
Legislative Powers
The Legislative powers of the President are as
follows:
The President nominates 12 members to the
Rajya Sabha and two members of the Anglo –
Indian community to the Lok Sabha.
During the recess of Parliament, the President
can issue ordinances, which have the same
power as an act
The ordinance must be presented in Parliament
within six weeks of its reassembling
If both houses do not pass it, the ordinance is
withdrawn.

51. Powers of the President
Emergency Powers
The President can declare an emergency if:
A war or internal aggression threatens the
security of the country
There is a break down of constitutional
machinery in any state
Financial instability threatens the country
In all his or her work, the President is aided by the
advice of the Prime Minister, the Council of
Ministers, Parliament and senior Government
Officials.

52. VICE PRESIDENT
The vice president takes the place of the
president when the office of the
president falls vacant temporarily on
account of any of the following:
If the president is unwell
If the president has resigned
If the president is away from the country
If the president dies and a new president is
yet to be elected

53. VICE PRESIDENT
The vice president is elected by the
members of both houses of
Parliament.
He or she must be an Indian citizen
He or she should have completed 35
years of age
The vice president holds office for a
period of five years
The Vice President is the
chairperson of the Rajya Sabha

54. The Prime Minister
• The prime minister is the key person
both in the executive and the
legislature
• He or she is the head of the
executive
• He or she has a position of great
power and importance
• The Prime minister’s position is the
most important position in the
country

55. The Prime Minister
• The Lok Sabha is freshly elected for
every five years
• It consists of members belonging
to different political parties
• The leader of the majority party in
the Lok Sabha is called by the
President to become the Prime
Minister and form the Council of
Ministers.

56. The Prime Minister
• The Prime Minister has the exclusive right
to select the team of Ministers that will
form the Council of Ministers
• The list of ministers is submitted to the
President who approves it.
• All ministers must be members of either
house of Parliament
• If an outsider is appointed as minister, he
or she should be elected to either house of
Parliament within six months of the
appointment

57. The Prime Minister
• The prime minister has a pivotal role
• The Council of Ministers, with the
prime minister at the head, is
collectively responsible to the Lok
Sabha
• The council’s advice to the president
is conveyed only by the prime
minister
• The prime minister is the link
between the ministry and president,
on one hand, and the ministry and
Parliament, on the other.

58. The Council of Ministers
• The Council of Ministers is the most powerful
organ of the union executive
• It is headed by the Prime Minister and
includes:
Ministers with Cabinet rank ( the Senior
Ministers)
Ministers of state
Deputy Ministers

59. The Council of Ministers
• The ministers are appointed by the President on
the advice of the Prime Minister
• Each minister is allotted one or more
departments, like finance, railways, defence,
health, communication, etc.
• This is called allotment of portfolios.
• The prime minister decides what portfolio
should be given to which minister
• The Council is collectively responsible to
Parliament
• They can continue to hold office as long as they
enjoy the confidence of Parliament

60. Function of the Council
• The Council of Ministers formulate concrete
proposals for legislation
• Together with the Prime Minister, the Council
aids and advices the President in his or her
functions
• Within the Council the senior ministers with
cabinet rank form the Cabinet
• The Cabinet is the nucleus of the Council.

61. Important powers of the Council
It concerns about
The impeachment of the President
Removal of the vice President
Removal of a judge of the Supreme Court or
the High Courts
Amendments of the Constitution
The empowering parliament to create an all
– India service

62. The Judiciary
• The judiciary is the third branch of
government
• Its functions are:
To interpret and explain the laws
made by the legislature
To punish those who violate law
To protect the rights of the citizens

63. The Supreme Court
• The Supreme Court is the highest court of the
judiciary in India
• The high Courts form a part
• The responsibility for the interpretation of
the law lies with the Supreme Court whose
judgments are binding

64. The Supreme Court
Composition and Structure
• It has one chief justice and upto 17 judges
• The judges are appointed by the President of
India on the advice of the Council of Ministers
and in consultation with the chief justice of
India
• The president appoints the chief justice on the
advice of the Council of Ministers.

65. Qualification of the Supreme Court
Judge
• He or she must be an Indian citizen
• He or she has either been a judge in a High
Court for at least five years
• Or he or she has served as an advocate in a
High Court for at least 10 years
• Or he or she is a distinguished jurist in the
opinion of the president.

66. The Supreme Court
Composition and Structure
• The chief justice and judges of the Supreme
Court serve until they complete 65 years of age.
• They cannot be terminated by the president
• A supreme Court judge can only be removed on
grounds of proven misbehaviour, misuse of
power and incapacity
• Even then, two-thirds majority voting in both
houses of Parliament is required for a Supreme
Court judge to be impeached

67. The Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court has three kinds of
jurisdiction. They are
Original
Appellate
Advisory

68. The Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
• Original jurisdiction means hearing and deciding on the
disputes between states or between states and the union
government.
• It includes cases brought to the court by ordinary people
regarding issues of importance to society at large
• Under special circumstances the supreme court deals with
cases already disposed of by a High Court
• This is called the appellate jurisdiction
• Advisory jurisdiction means to advise the President, or
interpret laws for him or her.
• A bill passed by Parliament or a state legislature may be
referred to the Supreme Court by the President before
signing

69. The Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
• The law decision of the Supreme Court is
final and binding on all courts in India.
• It is the most authoritative guide on the
interpretation of laws.
• It helps to secure uniform judicial practice
throughout the country
• The only exception to this all embracing
power is any law relating to the armed forces