Federal Republic
India has a parliamentary form of government. The executive authority is responsible to the elected representatives of the people in the Parliament for all its decisions and actions. Sovereignty rests ultimately with the people. The Parliament is bi-cameral.
Rajya Sabha (Council of States): The Council of States consists of not more than 250 members, of whom 12 are nominated by the President of India and the rest elected. It is not subject to dissolution because one-third of its members retire at the end of every second year. The elections to the Council are indirect.
Lok Sabha (House of the People): The House of the People consists of 552 members. Of these, 530 are directly elected from the 25 States and 20 from the seven Union Territories. Two members are nominated by the President to represent the Anglo-Indian community.
President of India: Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil
The President is the Head of the State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He/she is elected by an electoral college composed of members of both the Houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the nation’s constituent States. The President holds office for five years and can be re-elected.
The Vice-President : Mr M Hamid Ansari
The Vice President is elected jointly by the members of both the Houses of Parliament.The vice – president is ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha .
Prime Minister of India: Dr Manmohan Singh
The President does not normally exercise any constitutional powers on his own initiative. These are exercised by the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, which is responsible to the elected parliament. The person enjoying majority support in the Lok Sabha is appointed Prime Minister by the President. The President then appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. |
