Understanding the Indian Government and Political System

Here are the 25 most frequently asked questions (FAQs) by people in India on government and politics, along with their answers:

1. What is the structure of the Indian government?

• The Indian government is a federal system with three branches: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. The Executive includes the President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Judiciary is independent, with the Supreme Court at its apex.

2. Who is the head of the Indian government?

• The Prime Minister is the head of the Indian government, responsible for running the country and implementing policies. The President of India is the ceremonial head of state.

3. What is the role of the President of India?

• The President of India is the ceremonial head of state and acts as the supreme commander of the armed forces. The President also signs bills into law and performs other duties as specified in the Constitution, but most executive powers are exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

4. How are Members of Parliament (MPs) elected in India?

• Members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) are directly elected by the people through general elections held every five years. Members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies.

5. What is the difference between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?

• The Lok Sabha is the lower house of Parliament, with members directly elected by the people. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house, with members elected by state legislatures. The Lok Sabha has more power in financial matters, while the Rajya Sabha acts as a revising chamber.

6. What is a coalition government?

• A coalition government is formed when no single political party wins a majority in the Lok Sabha, leading multiple parties to join together to form a government.

7. What are the major political parties in India?

• The major political parties include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and various regional parties like the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

8. How is the Prime Minister of India chosen?

• The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha and is appointed by the President of India.

9. What are the main functions of the Indian Parliament?

• The Parliament makes laws, controls finances, represents the electorate, and scrutinizes the work of the government.

10. How does the Indian election process work?

• India conducts general elections every five years for the Lok Sabha, with state elections held at different times. Elections are overseen by the Election Commission of India, and voting is done using electronic voting machines.

11. What is the role of the Election Commission of India?

• The Election Commission of India is responsible for administering elections, ensuring they are free and fair, and regulating political parties and candidates.

12. What is the difference between a bill and an ordinance?

• A bill is a proposed law presented in Parliament, while an ordinance is a law issued by the President when Parliament is not in session. An ordinance must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly.

13. What are fundamental rights in the Indian Constitution?

• Fundamental rights include the right to equality, freedom, religion, cultural and educational rights, and protection from exploitation. They are enshrined in Part III of the Constitution.

14. What is the role of the Supreme Court in India?

• The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in India. It interprets the Constitution, hears appeals from lower courts, and ensures the protection of fundamental rights.

15. What is the process for amending the Indian Constitution?

• Amendments to the Constitution can be made by Parliament, requiring a majority vote in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Certain amendments also need ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.

16. What is the significance of Article 370?

• Article 370 granted special autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was abrogated in August 2019, resulting in the reorganization of the state into two Union territories.

17. What is the GST, and how does it work?

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services in India, replacing multiple taxes like VAT and service tax. It is collected at every stage of the supply chain, with input tax credits available for taxes paid on inputs.

18. What is the significance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act?

• The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, empowers citizens to seek information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in government functioning.

19. What is a no-confidence motion?

• A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary procedure by which the Lok Sabha can express a lack of confidence in the ruling government, potentially leading to its resignation.

20. What is the difference between a Union Territory and a State in India?

• States have their own governments, while Union Territories are directly governed by the central government, though some have legislative assemblies with limited powers.

21. What is the process of passing a bill in the Indian Parliament?

• A bill must be introduced in either house of Parliament, debated, and passed by a majority in both houses. It is then sent to the President for assent before becoming law.

22. What is the significance of the Panchayati Raj system?

• The Panchayati Raj system is a decentralized form of governance in rural India, involving local self-government at the village, block, and district levels.

23. What is the role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the economy?

• The RBI regulates monetary policy, issues currency, manages foreign exchange, and oversees banking operations to maintain financial stability.

24. How does the Indian government formulate its budget?

• The Union Budget is prepared by the Ministry of Finance and presented by the Finance Minister in Parliament, detailing the government's revenue and expenditure for the financial year.

25. What is the impact of India's foreign policy?

• India's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strategic autonomy, fostering relations with neighboring countries, participating in global forums, and addressing international challenges like climate change and terrorism.