Union executive structure from "summary" of Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth
The union executive structure in India consists of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers. The President is the head of this structure, and plays a vital role in decision-making. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are responsible for the day-to-day governance of the country.- According to India's Constitution, a Union executive consists of the President along with two other branches of government: the Council of Ministers and other independent bodies like Election Commission.
- Article 74 of the Indian Constitution states that there will be a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to help the President in matters related to the administration of the union.
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha for its actions as per the provisions of Article 75.
- The Union Executive can appoint two special representatives - the Attorney General and the Comptroller and Auditor-General - who act as advisors to the government on legal and financial matters respectively.
- The Union Executive also includes certain independent bodies such as the Election Commission which are reponsible for conducting free, fair and transparent elections.
- Government departments are vested with powers to look into matters of public interest, including law and order, defence, finance, trade and industry etc.
- Advisors appointed by the President exercise considerable influence over the functioning of the council of ministers, though not formally part of it.
- The controversies can be resolved through the collective responsibility of the cabinet
- The Lokpal Act of 2013 led to the formation of an ombudsman or Lokpal at the Union level whose authority was limited to reporting corruption cases above a certain threshold limit.
- Supreme Court and High Courts have been established in all parts of the country to protect the fundamental rights of citizens and provide remedies to citizens against violation of their rights by any person, body or state.
