The Union Executive is one of the most heavily tested areas of Indian Polity in UPSC Prelims. This set covers how the President and Vice-President are elected and removed, the President's veto, ordinance and pardoning powers, and the constitutional position of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, with the relevant articles and amendments in every explanation.
How to practise: read each question and tap the option you think is correct. You will see right away whether you got it, along with a short explanation, and your score is tracked at the bottom of the screen. This set has 15 questions.
Topics covered in this set
- Election and impeachment of the President (Articles 54, 61)
- Election and role of the Vice-President (Articles 63-66)
- Veto powers and ordinances (Articles 111, 123)
- Pardoning power (Article 72)
- Council of Ministers and collective responsibility (Articles 74, 75)
- Key amendments: 42nd, 44th and 91st
UPSC MCQs with answers and explanations
Q1. Which of the following do NOT take part in the election of the President of India?
a) Elected members of the Lok Sabha
b) Elected members of the Rajya Sabha
c) Nominated members of Parliament
d) Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Delhi
Q2. The President of India can be impeached on the ground of:
a) Violation of the Constitution
b) Proved misbehaviour or incapacity
c) Loss of confidence of the Lok Sabha
d) Any reason recorded by the Supreme Court
Q3. Who elects the Vice-President of India?
a) The same electoral college as the President
b) Elected members of both Houses of Parliament only
c) Members of the Rajya Sabha only
d) All members (elected and nominated) of both Houses of Parliament
Q4. Which constitutional office does the Vice-President hold ex officio?
a) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
b) Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
c) Chairman of the NITI Aayog
d) Chairman of the Inter-State Council
Q5. Under which Article can the President promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session?
a) Article 72
b) Article 352
c) Article 123
d) Article 213
Q6. Which of these can the President do under Article 72 that a Governor cannot do under Article 161?
a) Remit a sentence
b) Commute a sentence
c) Grant a reprieve
d) Pardon a death sentence
Q7. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to:
a) The President
b) The Lok Sabha
c) Both Houses of Parliament
d) The Prime Minister
Q8. Which amendment limited the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, to 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha?
a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 91st Amendment
d) 73rd Amendment
Q9. How can the President respond when a Constitution Amendment Bill passed under Article 368 is presented for assent?
a) Must give assent
b) Can withhold assent
c) Can return it for reconsideration
d) Can use a pocket veto
Q10. Which type of veto did President Zail Singh use on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986?
a) Absolute veto
b) Suspensive veto
c) Qualified veto
d) Pocket veto
Q11. Disputes about the election of the President are decided by:
a) The Election Commission
b) Parliament
c) The Supreme Court
d) A special tribunal
Q12. Which amendment allowed the President to send the advice of the Council of Ministers back once for reconsideration?
a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 52nd Amendment
d) 61st Amendment
Q13. Which Article lays down the duties of the Prime Minister to keep the President informed about decisions of the Council of Ministers?
a) Article 74
b) Article 75
c) Article 77
d) Article 78
Q14. If the offices of both the President and the Vice-President fall vacant, who discharges the functions of the President?
a) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
b) The Chief Justice of India
c) The Prime Minister
d) The senior-most Governor
Q15. What is the minimum age to be elected President of India?
a) 35 years
b) 30 years
c) 25 years
d) 40 years
Quick revision notes
- President: Articles 52-62. Electoral college: elected MPs and elected MLAs of states, Delhi and Puducherry (Article 54).
- Impeachment (Article 61): only ground is violation of the Constitution; two-thirds of the total membership of each House.
- Vice-President: elected by all MPs, both elected and nominated (Article 66); ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
- Ordinances: Article 123 (President), Article 213 (Governor). Pardons: Article 72 (President), Article 161 (Governor).
- Article 74: aid and advice binding (42nd Amendment); reconsideration once (44th Amendment). Article 75(3): collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha.
- 91st Amendment: Council of Ministers capped at 15% of Lok Sabha strength. 24th Amendment: assent to Constitution Amendment Bills is compulsory.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of veto available to the President of India?
Absolute veto (withholding assent), suspensive veto (returning a non-money bill for reconsideration, after which assent must be given if it is passed again) and pocket veto (taking no action). The qualified veto, which needs a special majority to override, does not exist in India.
Is the President of India bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers?
Yes. Since the 42nd Amendment, Article 74 makes the advice binding. The 44th Amendment allows the President to return it once for reconsideration, but the advice given after that must be followed.
Who can remove the Vice-President?
The Vice-President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority (a majority of its then members) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority, with 14 days' notice. No grounds are specified in the Constitution.
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