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The NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4: Executive from the textbook Indian Constitution at Work explores the structure and functioning of the executive in India, focusing on the difference between the nominal executive (President and Governor) and the real executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers). It discusses the parliamentary system, the roles of the President, Prime Minister, and bureaucracy, and the balance of power between the executive and legislature. This section provides detailed solutions to the chapter’s exercise questions, offering clear explanations to help students understand the complexities of the executive system and prepare for exams.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 4: Executive
This section provides clear solutions for Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 4: Executive. The detailed explanations below help students understand the subject thoroughly.
Exercise
1. A parliamentary executive means:
a. Executive where there is a parliament
b. Executive elected by the parliament
c. Where the parliament functions as the Executive
d. An executive that is dependent on support of the majority in the Parliament
2. Read this dialogue. Which argument do you agree with? Why?
Amit: Looking at the constitutional provisions, it seems that the President is only a rubber stamp.
Shama: The President appoints the Prime Minister. So, he must have the powers to remove the Prime Minister as well.
Rajesh: We don’t need a President. After the election, the Parliament can meet and elect a leader to be the Prime Minister.
3. Match the following:
| i. Works within the particular State in which recruited | a. Indian Foreign Service |
| ii. Works in any central government office located either at the national capital or elsewhere in the country | b. State Civil Services |
| iii. Works in a particular State to which allotted; can also be sent on deputation to the centre | c. All India Services |
| iv. Works in Indian missions abroad | d. Central Services |
4. Identify the ministry which may have released the following news items. Would this be a ministry of the central government or the State government? Why?
a. An official release said that in 2004-05 the Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation would release new versions for standards VII, X and XI.
b. A new railway loop line bypassing the crowded Tiruvallur-Chennai section to help iron ore exporters. The new line, likely to be about 80 km long, will branch off at Puttur and then reach Athipattu near the port.
c. The three-member sub-divisional committee formed to verify suicide by farmers in Ramayampet mandal has found that the two farmers who committed suicide this month have had economic problems due to failure of crops.
5. While appointing the Prime Minister, the President selects
a. Leader of the largest party in the Lok Sabha
b. Leader of the largest party in the alliance which secures a majority in the Lok Sabha
c. The leader of the largest party in the Rajya Sabha
d. Leader of the alliance or party that has the support of the majority in Lok Sabha
6. Read this discussion and say which of these statements applies most to India.
Alok: Prime Minister is like a king, he decides everything in our country.
Shekhar: Prime Minister is only ‘first among equals’, he does not have any special powers. All ministers and the PM have similar powers.
Bobby: Prime Minister has to consider the expectations of the party members and other supporters of the government. But after all, the Prime Minister has a greater say in policy making and in choosing the ministers.
7. Why do you think is the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President? Give your answer in not more than 100 words.
8. The parliamentary system of executive vests many powers in the legislature for controlling the executive. Why, do you think, is it so necessary to control the executive?
9. It is said that there is too much political interference in the working of the administrative machinery. It is suggested that there should be more and more autonomous agencies which do not have to answer to the ministers.
a. Do you think this will make administration more people-friendly?
b. Do you think this will make administration more efficient?
c. Does democracy mean full control of elected representatives over the administration?
10. Write an essay of two hundred words on the proposal to have an elected administration instead of an appointed administration.
Also Read:
- NCERT Solutions Class 11 Political Science: Political Theory Chapter 7 Nationalism (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6: Citizenship Notes (Free PDF)
Solutions:
- To determine the meaning of a parliamentary executive, we need to understand its key feature. In a parliamentary system, the executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is drawn from the legislature and remains accountable to it, requiring the confidence of the majority in parliament to function (Article 75).
a) Executive where there is a parliament: Incorrect. The mere existence of a parliament does not define a parliamentary executive.
b) Executive elected by the parliament: Partially correct but incomplete. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, not directly elected by parliament.
c) Where the parliament functions as the Executive: Incorrect. Parliament is the legislature, not the executive.
d) Executive that is dependent on support of the majority in the parliament: Correct. The executive must maintain the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha to remain in power (Article 75(3)).
Answer: d) Executive that is dependent on support of the majority in the parliament
- In India’s parliamentary system, the President is the nominal executive, while the real executive power lies with the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (Article 74). Let’s evaluate each argument:
- Amit: The President as a “rubber stamp” reflects the constitutional reality that the President must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74(1)). However, the President has discretionary powers in specific situations, like appointing a Prime Minister during a hung parliament or returning a bill for reconsideration (Article 111).
- Shama: The President appoints the Prime Minister (Article 75(1)), but removal is not a presidential power. The Prime Minister remains in office as long as they enjoy the Lok Sabha’s confidence. Removal occurs through a no-confidence motion (Article 75(3)), not presidential action.
- Rajesh: Eliminating the President and having parliament elect the Prime Minister ignores the need for a constitutional head to perform ceremonial duties, appoint officials, and act as a guardian in crises (e.g., hung parliament).
Answer: Amit’s argument, because the President’s role is largely nominal, bound by the Council of Ministers’ advice, with limited discretionary powers.
- i – b
ii – d
iii – c
iv – a
- Let’s identify the ministries and their jurisdiction:
a. Tamil Nadu Textbooks Corporation releasing new textbooks: This falls under the State Education Ministry (Tamil Nadu). Education is a state subject (Entry 11, State List, Seventh Schedule), and the Tamil Nadu Textbooks Corporation is a state-run entity responsible for school textbooks. State government, as education policy at the school level, is managed by the states.
b. New railway loop line bypassing Tiruvallur-Chennai: This falls under the Ministry of Railways (Central Government). Railways is a Union subject (Entry 22, Union List), and infrastructure projects like new railway lines are managed centrally. The central government, as railways are exclusively under Union control.
c. Committee verifying farmer suicides in Ramayampet mandal: This falls under the State Agriculture or Revenue Ministry (Telangana). Agriculture (Entry 14, State List) and land revenue are state subjects, and mandals are state administrative units. State government, including farmer welfare and local inquiries are state’s responsibility.
- The President appoints the Prime Minister under Article 75(1), selecting the person most likely to command the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
a) Leader of the largest party in the Lok Sabha: Incorrect. The largest party may not always have majority support if it lacks coalition partners.
b) Leader of the largest party in the alliance which secures a majority in the Lok Sabha: Partially correct but restrictive, as the alliance’s leader may not be from the largest party.
c) The leader of the largest party in the Rajya Sabha: Incorrect. The Prime Minister must command confidence in the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.
d) Leader of the alliance or party that has the support of the majority in Lok Sabha: Correct. The President appoints the leader (from a party or coalition) who can demonstrate majority support in the Lok Sabha, ensuring effective governance.
Answer: d) Leader of the alliance or party that has the support of the majority in Lok Sabha
- In India’s parliamentary system (Article 75), the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers but operates within a collective responsibility framework.
- Alok: The Prime Minister as a “king” overstates their power. The Prime Minister is accountable to the Lok Sabha and bound by collective responsibility, unlike a monarch.
- Shekhar: The “first among equals” view is partially correct, as the Prime Minister chairs the Council of Ministers and coordinates decisions. However, they have significant powers, like advising the President on ministerial appointments and shaping policy, which other ministers lack.
- Bobby: This is most accurate. The Prime Minister must balance party and coalition expectations but has a greater say in policymaking and choosing ministers (Article 75(1)). Their leadership role gives them prominence, though constrained by collective responsibility and parliamentary accountability.
Answer: Bobby’s statement applies most to India, as the Prime Minister has significant influence in policy and appointments while navigating coalition and party dynamics.
- The advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President under Article 74(1) to ensure the parliamentary system’s principle of real executive power residing with elected representatives. The President, as a nominal head, facilitates democratic governance by acting on the advice of the Council, led by the Prime Minister, who commands the Lok Sabha’s majority (Article 75(3)). This ensures accountability to the electorate. The 42nd Amendment (1976) made this advice explicitly binding, reinforcing that the President’s role is ceremonial, with limited discretionary powers in exceptional situations, like a hung parliament.
- In a parliamentary system, the executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is drawn from the legislature and accountable to it (Article 75(3)). Controlling the executive is necessary for several reasons:
- Democratic Accountability: The executive must remain answerable to the elected representatives in the Lok Sabha, ensuring policies reflect the people’s will.
- Preventing Abuse of Power: Legislative oversight (e.g., question hour, no-confidence motions) checks arbitrary or authoritarian actions by the executive.
- Ensuring Collective Responsibility: The executive must operate within the framework of collective responsibility to parliament, maintaining democratic integrity.
- Balancing Power: Legislative control prevents the executive from dominating the government, preserving the separation of powers. This control ensures the executive serves the public interest and adheres to constitutional principles.
- a. Will autonomous agencies make administration more people-friendly?
Autonomous agencies, free from ministerial interference, could focus on public needs rather than political agendas, potentially making administration more people-friendly. For example, bodies like the Election Commission function impartially. However, complete autonomy risks disconnecting agencies from public accountability, as elected ministers represent public will. A balance is needed to ensure responsiveness without political bias.
b. Will autonomous agencies make administration more efficient?
Autonomy could enhance efficiency by allowing expert-driven decisions and reducing delays caused by political pressures. For instance, autonomous regulators like SEBI operate efficiently. However, excessive autonomy may lead to bureaucratic rigidity or lack of coordination, impacting efficiency. Clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms are essential.
c. Does democracy mean full control of elected representatives over the administration?
No, democracy does not mean full control of elected representatives over administration. While ministers guide policy (Article 75), the bureaucracy operates under constitutional and legal frameworks, ensuring impartiality. Full control could lead to politicisation, undermining merit-based administration. Democracy requires a balance where elected representatives set policy, but the bureaucracy functions independently within that framework.
- The proposal to replace an appointed administration with an elected one aims to enhance democratic accountability but raises significant concerns. In India’s current system, the bureaucracy (IAS, IPS, etc.) is appointed through competitive exams (UPSC), ensuring merit, expertise, and impartiality. Elected administrators, chosen through popular vote, might prioritise populist measures over long-term governance, risking inefficiency and bias. For example, an elected official may favour short-term voter appeasement over sustainable policy.
Appointed administrators, trained and insulated from political pressures, maintain continuity and neutrality, crucial for implementing complex policies. Elections for administrative roles could lead to politicisation, undermining the bureaucracy’s independence, as seen in cases of excessive ministerial interference. Moreover, frequent elections would disrupt administrative stability, diverting resources from governance to campaigns.
However, elected administrators could theoretically enhance local accountability, aligning policies with public needs, as seen in Panchayati Raj institutions. Yet, the risks of inexperience and partisanship outweigh this benefit. A hybrid approach—strengthening accountability through oversight bodies like the Lokpal while retaining appointed bureaucrats—would better balance democracy and efficiency. India’s administrative system, rooted in constitutional principles, should prioritise merit and stability over electoral experiments.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 Political Science Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 4: Executive
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Also Read:
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 Political Theory: Citizenship Solutions (Free PDF)
- NCERT Notes Class 11 Political Science: Political Theory Chapter 7: Nationalism (Free PDF)
Download NCERT Solutions of all Chapters of Class 11 Political Science: Political Theory here:
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