⚡ The Union Executive — President & VP
ICSE Class 10
Civics
June 2026
Union Executive = President + Vice President + Prime Minister + Council of Ministers. The ICSE syllabus focuses on the President and Vice President. Remember one thing: The President is the Constitutional Head (he is not merely a rubber stamp, but most powers are exercised on the advice of the PM). The VP's primary role is to serve as Chairman of Rajya Sabha. I scored 80/80 in this subject — these are the same notes that helped me.
1) President of India — Constitutional Head
President (Article 52): India's first citizen and Constitutional Head of the State. All executive powers technically rest with the President, but he exercises them on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Article 53 says — executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
Qualifications — How to Become President (Article 58)
- Citizen of India
- Age: At least 35 years
- Qualified to be a member of Lok Sabha (meaning all the qualifications required for LS membership — except the age part. A President needs 35, while LS requires 25)
- Should not hold any office of profit under Government of India or any state government (current President, VP, PM, ministers, Speaker etc. are exempted — they can stand as presidential candidates)
⚠️ Important nuance: "Qualified to be a member of Lok Sabha" means — the presidential candidate must fulfill all qualifications that the Constitution prescribes for an LS member (like citizenship, sound mind, not bankrupt, etc.) — EXCEPT age. LS requires 25, President requires 35. This is a favourite trick question in ICSE — they ask "What is the minimum age to contest for President?" The answer is 35.
Election of President (Article 54 & 55)
The President is not directly elected by the people. He is elected through an Electoral College. This is an indirect election.
Electoral College consists of:
- Elected members of Lok Sabha
- Elected members of Rajya Sabha
- Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas)
- Elected members of Union Territories' Assemblies (Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir)
📖 Note: Nominated members (nominated to LS, RS, or state assemblies) DO NOT vote in President election. Only elected members vote. The Vice President is also not involved — he does not vote in this election except as an RS member.
Method — Single Transferable Vote (Proportional Representation):
- Each voter (MP or MLA) gets a single vote, but can indicate their preferences — 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
- The value of a vote is not the same for everyone. An MLA's value depends on the state's population.
- Value of an MLA's vote = Population of the state ÷ (Number of elected MLAs in that state × 1000). Basically, the higher a state's population, the higher the value of each MLA's vote.
- Value of an MP's vote = Total value of all MLAs' votes ÷ Total elected MPs (LS + RS). Thus, all MPs have the same vote value.
- Winning: A candidate needs the quota = (Total valid votes ÷ 2) + 1. If no candidate crosses the quota, the candidate with the lowest preferences is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the second preference candidates.
📌 FIGURE 1 — President Election Process
Fig: President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College using Single Transferable Vote system.
💡 In simple terms: Think of the President election as MPs and MLAs voting together. Each MLA's value differs by state (based on population). But all MPs have equal value. A candidate needs 50% + 1 votes to win. If no one gets enough votes, preferences begin to transfer.
Term of President (Article 56)
- Term: 5 years from the date he takes office
- Can be re-elected (no limit on the number of terms — Constitution doesn't set a maximum)
- Can resign by writing to the Vice President (did you know? The resignation letter goes to the VP — in the case of the President)
- Can be removed by impeachment (Article 61)
- President continues in office till his successor takes over — even after 5 years, if elections have not been held or a new candidate has not been selected, the outgoing President remains in office
No fixed limit on re-election: Unlike USA where a President can only serve 2 terms (max 10 years), India's Constitution imposes NO limit on how many times a person can be President. Dr. Rajendra Prasad served 2 terms. Technically same person can be elected any number of times.
Powers of President — 7 Types
I. Executive Powers
- Head of the Union: All executive actions of the Government of India are taken in the President's name (Article 77)
- Appointments: Appoints PM, other ministers (on PM's advice), Chief Justice & judges of SC/HCs, Attorney General, CAG, Election Commissioners, UPSC members, Governors of states, Ambassadors, etc.
- Can remove his ministers, Attorney General, Governors, etc.
- Has the right to be informed about all affairs of the Union (PM provides information)
- Union Territories are directly administered by the President through administrators
II. Legislative Powers
- Part of Parliament: President is an integral part of Parliament (Article 79) — a bill cannot become law until the President signs it
- Summons & prorogues sessions of Parliament
- Dissolves Lok Sabha (on PM's advice)
- Addresses both houses at the beginning of the Budget Session
- Nominates: 12 members to Rajya Sabha + 2 Anglo-Indian members to Lok Sabha (now removed by 104th Amendment)
- Ordinance power (Article 123): When Parliament is not in session, President can issue ordinances that have the same force as law. Must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly. This is the most important legislative power.
III. Veto Powers (Power over Bills)
When Parliament passes a bill, it goes to the President for assent. The President has 4 options (including one power that only Presidents of India have):
| Option | What He Does | What Happens to the Bill? |
|---|---|---|
| Give Assent | Signs the bill | Bill becomes a law |
| Withhold Assent | Does not sign | For Ordinary Bill → Bill fails. For Money Bill → President cannot withhold for Money Bill |
| Return for Reconsideration (Article 111) | Sends the bill back to Parliament for reconsideration | Parliament will reconsider — if it comes back to the President with or without amendments, the President must sign it. This is a suspensive veto. |
| Pocket Veto (India Special!) | Keeps the bill in his "pocket" — neither signs nor returns it | The Constitution sets no time limit. The President can indefinitely pause the bill. This power exists only with India's President — in the USA, the President has a 10-day time limit. |
⚠️ Important — Special rule for Money Bill: Once Parliament passes a Money Bill, the President can neither return it nor withhold it. He must give his assent. This gives the Money Bill legislative supremacy. Also: For a Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368), the President must give assent — he cannot return it. Keep this in mind.
💡 Pocket Veto — India's special weapon: Suppose the ruling party has a majority but there is a controversial bill. If the majority is against the bill but it passes under pressure — the President can keep the bill in his pocket indefinitely. The Constitution sets no time limit. But 124th Amendment (2020) is still lying... actually multiple bills have been pocket-vetoed. This concept is important in ICSE — "What is pocket veto? Why is it called the President's 'pocket' power?"
IV. Judicial Powers
- Appoints: Chief Justice and other judges of SC & HCs (in consultation with CJI)
- Pardoning Power (Article 72): President can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, commutation — especially in cases of:
- Death sentence cases
- Court-martial cases
- Conviction under Union law
5 Pardoning Terms — Important for MCQs:
Pardon: Removes both the sentence and conviction (guilty finding). The crime is treated as if it never happened.
Reprieve: Temporary stay of execution (e.g., execution is stayed on the night of a death sentence because some legal matter is pending)
Respite: Lighter form of punishment (e.g., death → life imprisonment due to pregnancy/serious illness)
Remission: Duration of the sentence is reduced (e.g., 10 years → 7 years)
Commutation: Nature of punishment is changed (e.g., death sentence → life imprisonment)
Pardon: Removes both the sentence and conviction (guilty finding). The crime is treated as if it never happened.
Reprieve: Temporary stay of execution (e.g., execution is stayed on the night of a death sentence because some legal matter is pending)
Respite: Lighter form of punishment (e.g., death → life imprisonment due to pregnancy/serious illness)
Remission: Duration of the sentence is reduced (e.g., 10 years → 7 years)
Commutation: Nature of punishment is changed (e.g., death sentence → life imprisonment)
V. Financial Powers
- No money bill can be introduced in Lok Sabha without President's prior recommendation
- Contingency Fund: President controls the Contingency Fund of India — he can advance money from it for urgent unforeseen expenses
- Finance Commission: Appoints the Finance Commission every 5 years
VI. Diplomatic & Military Powers
- Diplomatic: Appoints ambassadors (negotiates treaties & international agreements — technically in President's name)
- Military (Article 53): Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces of India. All forces are under his command. Declares war or peace (though in practice, PM & Cabinet take these decisions)
VII. Emergency Powers (India's President Special Power)
The President has 3 types of emergency powers — this is the most important feature of India's federal system:
| Emergency | Article | Grounds | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Emergency | 352 | War, external aggression, armed rebellion | Federal structure suspended; Fundamental Rights (except 20, 21) suspended; LS term extended |
| President's Rule (State Emergency) | 356 | Constitutional machinery failure in a state | State government dismissed; Governor runs the state in President's name; Parliament makes laws for that state |
| Financial Emergency | 360 | Financial instability / credit threat | President can reduce salaries of judges, civil servants; states can be asked to follow financial directions |
⚠️ Note for ICSE: The President declares emergency on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President cannot just wake up one day and declare emergency. Also — the President's decision to declare emergency can be challenged in court (the 38th Amendment made the President's satisfaction judicially reviewable, but the 44th Amendment brought changes). Just remember this: The President's satisfaction during Emergency is subjective but can be challenged if mala fide.
Impeachment of President (Article 61)
The process of removing the President is called Impeachment. Basis: Violation of the Constitution.
- Start: Impeachment charges can be initiated in either house
- Notice: Minimum 14 days' advance notice in writing, signed by at least 1/4th of the total members of that house
- Investigation: The house investigates the charges. President has the right to appear and defend himself (can be through a lawyer)
- Passage in initiating house: Resolution must be passed by 2/3rd of the total membership of that house (not just those present and voting — 2/3rd of ALL members)
- Goes to other house: Resolution goes to the other house. That house also investigates. If that house too passes by 2/3rd of total membership → President stands removed from office.
- Result: President removed from the date the resolution is passed by the second house.
💡 A handy trick: Remember 4 numbers: 14 days' notice, 1/4th members sign, 2/3rd majority in each house, and total membership (not just present & voting). In ICSE, "both houses must pass" and "special majority" — these two points are always asked.
2) Vice President of India
Vice President (Article 63): India's second-highest office. The VP is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha and acts as President when the President is unable to discharge duties (due to death, resignation, removal, illness, or absence). Article 63 states — "There shall be a Vice President of India."
Qualifications (Article 66)
- Citizen of India
- Age: At least 35 years
- Qualified to be a member of Rajya Sabha (meaning all RS qualifications except the age part — RS requires 30, VP requires 35)
- Should not hold any office of profit
⚠️ Trick — Clear the age confusion: President = 35 (for election). VP = 35. LS member = 25. RS member = 30. MLA = 25. MLC = 30. Governor = 35. Both President and VP require 35 years. But the President must be qualified to be an LS member (meaning all LS conditions except age), while the VP must be qualified to be an RS member (meaning all RS conditions except age).
Election of VP (Article 66)
- Electoral College: Only MPs (elected + nominated) — both houses vote. MLAs do NOT vote in VP election (unlike President election).
- Method: Single Transferable Vote (Proportional Representation)
- This is different from the President election because:
- President: Only elected MPs (LS+RS) + elected MLAs vote
- VP: All MPs (elected + nominated) vote, MLAs do not vote
- Why only MPs? Because the VP's primary role is Chairman of Rajya Sabha — and RS members are MPs. So only MPs vote.
- Disputes regarding VP election — decided by Supreme Court (same as President)
📖 President vs VP Election — 4 differences: (1) In President election, only elected MPs + elected MLAs vote — in VP election, all MPs (elected + nominated) vote. (2) MLAs vote in President election — not in VP election. (3) Nominated members can vote in VP election — not in President election. (4) Both use Single Transferable Vote, which is common.
Term of VP
- Term: 5 years
- Can be re-elected
- Can resign by writing to the President
- Can be removed — by a resolution passed in Rajya Sabha (effective majority) and agreed to by Lok Sabha (simple majority). Need 14 days' advance notice.
- VP remains in office till successor takes over
Powers & Functions of VP
I. As Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions (maintains order, gives speaking time)
- Casting vote in case of a tie (but otherwise cannot vote — because he is not a member of RS)
- Decides on admissibility of questions and motions
- Refers money bills back to LS (if he thinks the bill is not a Money Bill — but Speaker's decision is final, not Chairman's)
II. As Acting President (Article 65)
- When President dies / resigns / is removed / is otherwise unable to discharge duties → VP becomes Acting President
- As Acting President, VP gets all powers of the President
- Can act as President for max 6 months — within which a new President must be elected
- During this time, VP does NOT act as Chairman of Rajya Sabha — Deputy Chairman presides instead
- Also not entitled to any salary as Chairman during this period; gets President's salary
3) President vs Vice President — ICSE Comparison
| Feature | President | Vice President |
|---|---|---|
| Article | Article 52 | Article 63 |
| Rank | First Citizen (Constitutional Head) | Second-highest office |
| Main function | Executive Head of the Union | Chairman of Rajya Sabha |
| Min age | 35 years | 35 years |
| Qualification | Qualified to be LS member | Qualified to be RS member |
| Electoral College | Elected MPs (LS+RS) + Elected MLAs | All MPs (elected + nominated) |
| Nominated members vote? | NO | YES |
| MLAs vote? | YES | NO |
| Term | 5 years | 5 years |
| Removal | Impeachment (Article 61) — 2/3rd majority in both houses | RS resolution (effective majority) + LS (simple majority) |
| Resigns to | Vice President | President |
| Powers | Extensive — Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Military, Diplomatic, Emergency | Limited — Chairman of RS, Acting President when needed |
4) ICSE Board Questions
1-Mark Questions:
- Who is the Constitutional Head of the Union? Ans: President
- What is the minimum age to contest for President? Ans: 35 years
- Who is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha? Ans: Vice President
- Who elects the President? Ans: Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs)
- Who elects the Vice President? Ans: All MPs (elected + nominated)
- What is the term of President? Ans: 5 years
- What is the term of Vice President? Ans: 5 years
- Under which Article can the President issue an Ordinance? Ans: Article 123
- Under which Article can the President grant pardon? Ans: Article 72
- What is Pocket Veto? Ans: President keeps a bill pending indefinitely without signing or returning it
- How is the Vice President removed? Ans: RS resolution (effective majority) + LS agrees (simple majority)
- Who becomes Acting President when the President is unable to act? Ans: Vice President
- What is the minimum age to contest for Vice President? Ans: 35 years
- What is the maximum period an Acting President can hold office? Ans: 6 months
- Who can the President nominate to Rajya Sabha? Ans: 12 members from literature, science, art, social service
- What is the difference between pardon and commutation? Ans: Pardon = removes both guilt & sentence; Commutation = changes the type of punishment
- Under which Article is President's Rule imposed? Ans: Article 356
- Under which Article is National Emergency declared? Ans: Article 352
- Who presides over Rajya Sabha? Ans: Chairman (Vice President)
- Name the presiding officer of Rajya Sabha when Chairman is acting as President. Ans: Deputy Chairman
3-Mark Questions:
- Explain the eligibility criteria required to contest the election for the President of India.
- Explain four powers of the President of India.
- Difference between President and Vice President: election and role (3 points each).
- What is the Ordinance-making power of the President? Under which conditions is it exercised?
- Explain the Veto powers of the President. What is Pocket Veto?
- Explain the judicial powers of the President of India.
- What is the Electoral College for the President? Who votes and who doesn't?
- Explain the term and removal process of the Vice President.
- Explain the role of the Vice President (a) as Chairman of Rajya Sabha (b) as Acting President.
- Differentiate between the three types of emergencies in India (National, State, Financial).
- Explain the procedure of impeachment of the President.
- Explain the 5 pardoning powers of the President with examples.
5-Mark Questions (ICSE Section B):
- With reference to the Union Executive in India, answer the following: (a) Name the Electoral College for President and explain its composition (b) Explain the executive and legislative powers of the President.
- Discuss the powers of the President under the following heads: (a) Veto Powers (b) Ordinance-making power (c) Pardoning power.
- Who is the Vice President of India? (a) Explain how he/she is elected (b) Explain the term and removal (c) Explain his/her functions as Chairman of Rajya Sabha and as Acting President.
- Differentiate between the President of India and the Vice President of India with reference to: (a) Qualification (b) Election (c) Powers and functions (d) Removal.
- With reference to the Election of the President: (i) Composition of the Electoral College (ii) Explain Single Transferable Vote (iii) Explain "proportional representation."
🧠 From my 80/80 Civics paper: In the Union Executive chapter, comparisons and Articles carry great importance. President vs VP comparison, election method difference, and 5 pardoning terms — these are guaranteed questions. My advice: Memorize the Articles (52, 53, 56, 58, 61, 63, 65, 66, 72, 79, 123, 352, 356, 360). Also — if a 5-mark question asks "Explain powers of President," write it under headings — Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Military, Emergency. Under each heading, list 2-3 points plus the relevant Article number. Structured answer = full marks.
5) Quick Reference Table
Articles to Remember
| Article | What It Says |
|---|---|
| 52 | There shall be a President of India |
| 53 | Executive power of Union vested in President |
| 54 | Election of President (Electoral College) |
| 55 | Method of President election |
| 56 | Term of President |
| 58 | Qualifications for President |
| 61 | Impeachment of President |
| 63 | There shall be a Vice President of India |
| 64 | VP is ex-officio Chairman of RS |
| 65 | VP acts as President |
| 66 | Election & qualifications of VP |
| 72 | Pardoning power of President |
| 77 | All executive actions in President's name |
| 79 | Parliament = President + LS + RS |
| 111 | President's veto on bills |
| 123 | President's ordinance power |
| 352 | National Emergency |
| 356 | President's Rule (State Emergency) |
| 360 | Financial Emergency |
Memorize These Numbers
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| President min age | 35 |
| VP min age | 35 |
| President term | 5 years |
| VP term | 5 years |
| Acting President max tenure | 6 months |
| Impeachment — 14 days notice, 1/4th sign, 2/3rd majority in each house | |
| VP removal — RS resolution (effective majority) → LS agreement (simple majority) | |
| President's nominated RS members | 12 |
| Emergency types | 3 (National, State, Financial) |
⚠️ Final advice: I scored 80/80 in ICSE 2026 in this subject. This chapter gives direct questions — "Explain powers of President" or "Compare President and VP." No twists. Just memorise under headings and include Article numbers. The President's 7 types of powers — this came in my exam. Pocket Veto and Ordinance are also popular. Make a one-sheet summary and put it on your wall — Articles + numbers. The day before the exam, just revise that. That's what I did.