President, PM & Parliament
Constitution Special · राष्ट्रपति, PM और संसद
📋Quick Overview
India has a parliamentary form of government. The President (Art 52–62) is the constitutional head of the Union — the real executive power lies with the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Parliament (Art 79–122) consists of the President, Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House). The PM (Art 74–75) is the head of the Council of Ministers and must enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha. After the 44th Amendment (1978), the advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President.
India's President is elected by an Electoral College — elected members of both Houses of Parliament + elected members of all State Legislative Assemblies (not Vidhan Parishads). India is a Parliamentary Democracy — President is nominal/constitutional head, PM is real head.
📖President of India — Key Facts
| Detail | Provision |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Article | Art 52–62 |
| Election by | Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs) |
| Election process | Single Transferable Vote (Proportional Representation) |
| Term | 5 years (re-eligible unlimited times) |
| Minimum age | 35 years |
| Oath administered by | Chief Justice of India |
| Removal | Impeachment by Parliament (Art 61) — 2/3rd majority in both Houses |
| Ordinance power | Art 123 — when Parliament not in session |
| Emergency powers | Art 352 (National), Art 356 (State), Art 360 (Financial) |
| Pardon power | Art 72 — pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, commutation |
| First President | Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962, served 2 terms) |
📖Parliament — Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Lower House / House of the People | Upper House / Council of States |
| Maximum seats | 552 (543 elected + 2 Anglo-Indian — now removed by 104th Amend.) | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated by President) |
| Current seats | 543 elected | |
| Term | 5 years (can be dissolved by President) | |
| Nature | Not a permanent body — can be dissolved | |
| Nature | Permanent body — 1/3 members retire every 2 years | |
| Member's term | 5 years from first sitting | |
| Member's term | 6 years | |
| Minimum age | 25 years | |
| Minimum age | 30 years | |
| Presiding officer | Speaker (Deputy Speaker when absent) | |
| Presiding officer | Vice-President of India (Chairman); Deputy Chairman | |
| Special powers | Money Bills originate here only; vote of no-confidence; PM & Council answerable here | |
| Special powers | Can create All-India Services (Art 312); ratify Emergency resolutions; special legislation on State List |
📝Parliament Sessions & Quorum
- •3 Sessions: Budget Session (Feb–May), Monsoon Session (July–Aug), Winter Session (Nov–Dec)
- •Quorum: 1/10 of total members (55 for Lok Sabha; 25 for Rajya Sabha)
- •Joint Sitting (Art 108): Presided by Lok Sabha Speaker; only on ordinary bills (not Money Bills, Constitutional Amendment Bills)
- •Money Bill (Art 110): Only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only recommend (not reject); Speaker certifies
- •Vice President of India = Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha