Political Executive Class 9 – Concept, MCQ’s & Notes PDF

Topic covered: Political Executive class 9 notes and MCQs Questions: Working Of Institutions (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Political Executive“ from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 9th chapter 4 Working Of Institutions.

Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 9th Chapter 4 Working Of Institutions Notes PDF

Chapter 4: Working of Institutions in Class 9 Political Science helps you understand how the Indian government actually functions. It explains the roles of the President, Prime Minister, and Parliament in simple terms, using real-life examples like how decisions are made in a democracy. Many students find it tricky to remember how these institutions balance power, so these notes break it down step by step. You’ll also get clarity on topics like judicial independence and cabinet responsibility. Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 9th Chapter 4 Working of Institutions Notes PDF to make your revision smoother and faster.

Political Executive

• The story of the Office Memorandum shows that the person who signed the document did not take the decision himself.
  • He was implementing or executing a policy decision taken by someone else.
• The Prime Minister played an important role in taking that decision.
• However, the Prime Minister could not have taken the decision without the support of the Lok Sabha.
• This means the Prime Minister was executing the wishes of the Parliament.
• At different levels of government, there are functionaries who take day-to-day decisions,
  but they do not exercise supreme power on behalf of the people.
• All such functionaries are collectively known as the Executive.
• They are called the Executive because they are responsible for the execution or implementation of government policies.
• When we talk about “the government”, we usually mean the Executive.
• Executive = group responsible for implementing laws and policies.
• It includes everyone from top decision-makers (like the Prime Minister) to officials handling daily administration.

Political and Permanent Executive

• In a democratic country, the executive is divided into two categories – Political Executive and Permanent Executive.

1. Political Executive:

• The Political Executive consists of leaders elected by the people for a specific period.
• They are the political leaders who take big policy decisions.
• They represent the will of the people and are answerable to them.
• The minister is a part of the political executive and has the final authority in decision-making.
• Even if the minister is not an expert in technical matters, she decides the overall policy framework and objectives.
• The minister takes advice from experts but makes the final decision based on democratic goals and public interest.

2. Permanent Executive (Civil Services):

• The Permanent Executive is made up of civil servants appointed on a long-term basis.
• They are also known as the Civil Services.
• Civil servants remain in office even when the ruling party changes.
• They work under the political executive and assist in daily administration.
• Civil servants are more educated and technically skilled in their respective fields.
• For example, advisors in the Finance Ministry know more about economics than the Finance Minister.

3. Why Ministers Have More Power than Civil Servants:

• The minister is more powerful because she is elected by the people and represents their will.
• In a democracy, the will of the people is supreme, not expert knowledge.
• The minister is answerable to the people for the outcomes of her decisions.
• Experts provide options, but the minister chooses the one that fits the overall national objectives.
• In any large organisation, those with the broader vision decide the goals, while experts guide the methods.
• Similarly, in democracy, elected ministers set the direction, and civil servants execute it.

Exam Tip:

• Remember:
  • Political Executive = Elected + Decision-makers
  • Permanent Executive = Appointed + Advisors/Implementers
• Ministers decide “what to do”, Civil Servants decide “how to do it.”

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

1. Appointment of the Prime Minister:

• The Prime Minister is the most important political institution in the country.
• There is no direct election for the post of Prime Minister.
• The President appoints the Prime Minister of India.
• The President cannot appoint anyone at will.
• The President appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha.
• If no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person most likely to secure majority support.
• The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure.
• He continues in office as long as he remains the leader of the majority party or coalition.

2. Appointment of Ministers:

• After appointing the Prime Minister, the President appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• Ministers are usually from the ruling party or coalition holding a majority in the Lok Sabha.
• The Prime Minister is free to choose ministers, provided they are members of Parliament.
• A person who is not a member of Parliament can also be appointed as a minister, but must get elected to either House within six months.
• The Council of Ministers is the official name for the group that includes all ministers.
• It generally includes 60 to 80 ministers of different ranks.

3. Categories of Ministers:

• Cabinet Ministers are senior leaders in charge of major ministries.
• The Cabinet forms the inner ring of the Council of Ministers and has around 25 ministers.
• Cabinet Ministers usually meet to take major decisions on behalf of the Council of Ministers.
• Ministers of State with Independent Charge handle smaller ministries and attend Cabinet meetings only when invited.
• Ministers of State are attached to Cabinet Ministers and assist them in their work.

4. Cabinet Form of Government:

• It is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly, so decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings.
• This is why parliamentary democracy is often called the Cabinet form of government.
• The Cabinet works as a team; all ministers must support and own every Cabinet decision.
• No minister can publicly criticise decisions of the government, even if it relates to another ministry.

5. Role of Civil Servants and Cabinet Secretariat:

• Each ministry has secretaries, who are civil servants.
• These secretaries provide background information to help ministers make informed decisions.
• The Cabinet is assisted by the Cabinet Secretariat, which includes senior civil servants.
• The Cabinet Secretariat coordinates the working of different ministries and ensures smooth functioning of the government.

Exam Tip Summary:

• Prime Minister = Most powerful political position, not directly elected.
• President’s Role = Formally appoints PM and ministers on PM’s advice.
• Council of Ministers = Around 60–80 members of various ranks.
• Cabinet = Inner circle (about 25 members) – makes key decisions.
• Cabinet System = Collective responsibility and teamwork.

Powers of The Prime Minister

1. Constitutional Basis and General Role:

• The Constitution does not specify detailed powers of the Prime Minister, ministers, or their relationship.
• Despite this, as head of the government, the Prime Minister holds wide-ranging powers.
• Within the government, the Prime Minister is the central authority who directs and supervises the work of all departments and ministries.

2. Administrative and Executive Powers:

• The Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meetings.
• He coordinates the work of different departments of the government.
• In case of disagreement between departments, the Prime Minister’s decision is final.
• He exercises general supervision over all ministries.
• All ministers work under his leadership and direction.
• The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work among the ministers.
• He also has the power to dismiss ministers.
• When the Prime Minister resigns or quits, the entire ministry automatically resigns with him.
• This shows that within the Cabinet system, the Prime Minister is the most powerful figure.

3. Growing Power of the Prime Minister:

• The Prime Minister is the most powerful within the Cabinet, which itself is the most powerful institution in India.
• In many parliamentary democracies, the powers of Prime Ministers have greatly increased in recent decades.
• This has led to the idea of a “Prime Ministerial form of government.”
• The rise of political parties and their influence in politics has strengthened the position of the Prime Minister.
• The Prime Minister controls both the Cabinet and Parliament through the political party system.

4. Role of Media and Public Image:

• The media has reinforced this trend by portraying politics and elections as a competition between top leaders.
• This focus on party leaders has contributed to the concentration of power in the hands of the Prime Minister.

5. Historical Examples of Powerful Prime Ministers:

• Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, exercised enormous authority due to his influence over the public.
• Indira Gandhi was also known as a very powerful leader, even compared to her Cabinet colleagues.
• The extent of power of a Prime Minister often depends on the personality and leadership qualities of the person holding the position.

6. Impact of Coalition Politics:

• In recent years, the rise of coalition politics has limited the power of the Prime Minister.
• The Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot act independently or take decisions as he likes.
• He must accommodate different groups and factions within his own party and among coalition partners.
• The Prime Minister must respect the views of coalition partners and other supporting parties.
• The survival of the government depends on the support of coalition partners, making their cooperation essential.

Exam Summary

• PM = Head of Government – Holds real executive power.
• Cabinet under PM’s leadership – Ministers accountable to him.
• PM’s authority has expanded due to party politics and media influence.
• Personality and coalition politics determine the extent of PM’s power.

The President

1. Role and Position:

• The Prime Minister is the head of the government, while the President is the head of the State.
• In the Indian political system, the President exercises only nominal powers.
• The President of India is similar to the Queen of Britain, whose functions are mostly ceremonial.
• The President supervises the overall functioning of all political institutions in the country.
• Her role is to ensure that these institutions work together in harmony to achieve the objectives of the State.

2. Election of the President:

• The President is not elected directly by the people.
• The elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and elected Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) elect the President.
• To win the election, a candidate must secure a majority of votes.
• This system ensures that the President represents the entire nation, not just one political group.
• However, the President cannot claim a direct popular mandate like the Prime Minister.
• This makes the President a nominal executive, rather than one with real power.

3. Powers and Functions:

• The Constitution gives wide powers to the President, at least in form.
• All governmental activities take place in the name of the President.
• All laws and major policy decisions of the government are issued in her name.
• All major appointments are made in the name of the President.
• These appointments include:
  • Chief Justice of India
  • Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
  • Governors of the states
  • Election Commissioners
  • Ambassadors to other countries
• All international treaties and agreements are signed in the name of the President.
• The President is the Supreme Commander of the defence forces of India.

4. Limitation of Powers:

• The President exercises all powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
• The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice, but if it is given again, she must act according to it.
• A bill passed by Parliament becomes a law only after the President’s assent.
• The President may delay assent and send the bill back for reconsideration.
• However, if Parliament passes the bill again, the President has to give assent.
• These provisions show that the President’s powers are limited and largely ceremonial.

5. Discretionary Power:

• The President’s main discretionary power is in the appointment of the Prime Minister.
• When a party or coalition secures a clear majority, the President appoints its leader as Prime Minister.
• When no party or coalition gets a clear majority, the President uses discretion to appoint a leader who can secure majority support in the Lok Sabha.
• In such situations, the President can ask the newly appointed Prime Minister to prove majority support in the Lok Sabha within a specified time.

6. Summary of Role:

• The President is the ceremonial head of the State, while real executive power lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
• The President ensures balance and coordination among political institutions.
• The President represents national unity, even though her powers are nominal and bound by ministerial advice.

The Presidential System

1. Nature of Presidential System:

• In many countries, the President is not a nominal executive like in India.
• In such systems, the President is both the Head of the State and the Head of the Government.
• The United States of America (USA) provides the best-known example of this kind of system.

2. Election and Powers of the US President:

• The US President is directly elected by the people.
• He personally chooses and appoints all Ministers.
• The law-making power rests with the legislature, called the Congress in the US.
• The President can veto any law passed by Congress.
• The President does not require the support of the majority in Congress to stay in power.
• The President is not answerable to the Congress.
• The President has a fixed tenure of four years.
• He completes his term even if his party lacks a majority in Congress.

3. Countries Following the Presidential Model:

• The Presidential form of government is followed in most Latin American countries.
• It is also followed in many ex-Soviet Union countries.

4. Features and Comparison:

• The system is called the Presidential form of government because the President holds central authority.
• In contrast, countries like India follow the British model, where Parliament is supreme.
• Therefore, India has a Parliamentary system of government, not a Presidential one.

5. Key Difference Between Two Systems:

• In the Presidential system, power is concentrated in the hands of the President.
• In the Parliamentary system, power is shared between the Prime Minister and Parliament.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 9 Chapter 4: Working Of Institutions

MCQs on NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – Political Executive Class 9 Notes

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Political Executive Class 9 Notes” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Who implements the policies of the government?

a) Legislature
b) Judiciary
c) Executive
d) Election Commission

Answer: c) Executive

Question 2. Why are government functionaries called the executive?

a) Because they take final policy decisions
b) Because they are in charge of the ‘execution’ of government policies
c) Because they frame new laws
d) Because they control the judiciary

Answer: b) Because they are in charge of the ‘execution’ of government policies

Question 3. When we talk about “the government,” which part do we usually mean?

a) Legislature
b) Judiciary
c) Executive
d) Bureaucracy

Answer: c) Executive

Question 4. The Prime Minister takes decisions with the support of which institution?

a) Supreme Court
b) Lok Sabha
c) President
d) Election Commission

Answer: b) Lok Sabha

Question 5. Who exercises supreme power on behalf of the people in a democracy?

a) Bureaucrats
b) Ministers
c) Judiciary
d) Parliament

Answer: d) Parliament

Question 6. What are the two categories of the executive in a democratic country?

a) Political and Legal Executive
b) Political and Permanent Executive
c) Administrative and Judicial Executive
d) Elected and Nominated Executive

Answer: b) Political and Permanent Executive

Question 7. Who are called the political executive?

a) Elected representatives
b) Permanent officers
c) Judges
d) Governors

Answer: a) Elected representatives

Question 8. What is the permanent executive also known as?

a) Political leadership
b) Civil services
c) Judiciary
d) Bureaucracy only

Answer: b) Civil services

Question 9. Who are called civil servants?

a) Elected members of Parliament
b) People appointed on a long-term basis in administration
c) Members of the Cabinet
d) Governors of states

Answer: b) People appointed on a long-term basis in administration

Question 10. Who assists the political executive in carrying out day-to-day administration?

a) President
b) Civil servants
c) Governors
d) Election Commission

Answer: b) Civil servants

Question 11. Why does the political executive have more power than the permanent executive?

a) Because they are more experienced
b) Because they are elected by the people
c) Because they know more technical details
d) Because they are appointed by the President

Answer: b) Because they are elected by the people

Question 12. Who takes the final decisions in a ministry?

a) Civil servants
b) Experts
c) Minister
d) Secretary

Answer: c) Minister

Question 13. Why is the minister more powerful than civil servants?

a) She is answerable to the people
b) She has higher education
c) She has technical knowledge
d) She works permanently

Answer: a) She is answerable to the people

Question 14. What is the main role of experts in a ministry?

a) To make political speeches
b) To advise the minister on technical matters
c) To decide policies independently
d) To control Parliament

Answer: b) To advise the minister on technical matters

Question 15. Who decides the overall framework and objectives of a policy?

a) Experts
b) Minister
c) Secretary
d) Permanent executive

Answer: b) Minister

Question 16. Who decides the destination while experts decide the route?

a) Experts
b) Civil servants
c) Minister
d) Judiciary

Answer: c) Minister

Question 17. Who is the most important political institution in the country?

a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
d) Chief Minister

Answer: b) Prime Minister

Question 18. Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?

a) Parliament
b) President
c) Chief Justice
d) Lok Sabha

Answer: b) President

Question 19. On what basis does the President appoint the Prime Minister?

a) Educational qualification
b) Leader of the majority party or coalition
c) Previous ministerial experience
d) Recommendation of the Supreme Court

Answer: b) Leader of the majority party or coalition

Question 20. When no party gets a majority, whom does the President appoint as Prime Minister?

a) Leader of the largest party
b) Any MP
c) Person most likely to secure majority support
d) Chief Justice

Answer: c) Person most likely to secure majority support

Question 21. The Prime Minister continues in power as long as he —

a) Commands a majority in Lok Sabha
b) Commands a majority in Rajya Sabha
c) Is supported by the President
d) Is elected directly by people

Answer: a) Commands a majority in Lok Sabha

Question 22. Who appoints other ministers in India?

a) President, on advice of Prime Minister
b) Parliament
c) Chief Justice
d) Governor

Answer: a) President, on advice of Prime Minister

Question 23. A person who is not a Member of Parliament can become a minister only if —

a) Approved by the Speaker
b) Elected to either House within six months
c) Appointed permanently by the President
d) Recommended by Supreme Court

Answer: b) Elected to either House within six months

Question 24. What is the official name for the body that includes all ministers?

a) Cabinet
b) Parliament
c) Council of Ministers
d) Committee of Ministers

Answer: c) Council of Ministers

Question 25. How many ministers are usually there in the Council of Ministers?

a) 10–20
b) 25–50
c) 60–80
d) 100–120

Answer: c) 60–80

Question 26. Cabinet Ministers are —

a) In charge of smaller ministries
b) Top-level leaders heading major ministries
c) Secretaries to the government
d) Civil servants

Answer: b) Top-level leaders heading major ministries

Question 27. Cabinet is —

a) The entire Council of Ministers
b) The inner ring of the Council of Ministers
c) Composed of Governors
d) The President’s advisory group

Answer: b) The inner ring of the Council of Ministers

Question 28. Who participates in Cabinet meetings only when specially invited?

a) Ministers of State with independent charge
b) All civil servants
c) All Members of Parliament
d) Governors

Answer: a) Ministers of State with independent charge

Question 29. Which form of government is also known as the Cabinet form of government?

a) Presidential
b) Parliamentary
c) Federal
d) Unitary

Answer: b) Parliamentary

Question 30. What is the principle of collective responsibility?

a) Each minister is responsible for his own ministry only
b) All ministers are jointly responsible for Cabinet decisions
c) Only the Prime Minister is answerable
d) Civil servants share the blame

Answer: b) All ministers are jointly responsible for Cabinet decisions

Question 31. Who assists the Cabinet by coordinating different ministries?

a) Cabinet Secretariat
b) Supreme Court
c) Election Commission
d) Lok Sabha

Answer: a) Cabinet Secretariat

Question 32. Who chairs Cabinet meetings?

a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Speaker
d) Cabinet Secretary

Answer: b) Prime Minister

Question 33. Who coordinates the work of different departments?

a) Cabinet
b) Prime Minister
c) Chief Secretary
d) President

Answer: b) Prime Minister

Question 34. Whose decision is final in case of disagreement between departments?

a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Cabinet Secretary
d) Chief Justice

Answer: b) Prime Minister

Question 35. Who can dismiss ministers from the Council of Ministers?

a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Lok Sabha
d) Supreme Court

Answer: b) Prime Minister

Question 36. What happens when the Prime Minister quits office?

a) Cabinet continues
b) Entire ministry resigns
c) President dissolves Parliament
d) Civil servants take charge

Answer: b) Entire ministry resigns

Question 37. The increasing power of the Prime Minister has led to —

a) Ministerial form of government
b) Prime Ministerial form of government
c) Presidential form of government
d) Federal form of government

Answer: b) Prime Ministerial form of government

Question 38. Which Prime Minister exercised enormous authority due to public influence?

a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Rajiv Gandhi
d) Morarji Desai

Answer: b) Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 39. Why are coalition governments a limit on the Prime Minister’s power?

a) They require agreement from multiple parties
b) They have no cabinet
c) They lack opposition
d) They dissolve the parliament early

Answer: a) They require agreement from multiple parties

Question 40. Who is the head of the State in India?

a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Speaker
d) Chief Justice

Answer: b) President

Question 41. The President of India is elected by —

a) All citizens directly
b) Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies
c) Only Lok Sabha
d) Election Commission

Answer: b) Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies

Question 42. Why is the President called a nominal executive?

a) She is not elected
b) She exercises powers only on advice of Council of Ministers
c) She takes independent decisions
d) She is head of government

Answer: b) She exercises powers only on advice of Council of Ministers

Question 43. All laws and major policy decisions are issued in whose name?

a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Cabinet
d) Parliament

Answer: b) President

Question 44. Who is the Supreme Commander of India’s Defence Forces?

a) Prime Minister
b) Defence Minister
c) President
d) Army Chief

Answer: c) President

Question 45. What happens if the President sends a bill back to Parliament and it is passed again?

a) It is cancelled
b) She must sign it
c) It goes to Supreme Court
d) It needs re-election

Answer: b) She must sign it

Question 46. When can the President act in her own discretion?

a) When appointing the Prime Minister in a hung Parliament
b) When approving Cabinet meetings
c) When passing budget
d) When dissolving the Lok Sabha automatically

Answer: a) When appointing the Prime Minister in a hung Parliament

Question 47. In which country is the President both head of State and head of Government?

a) India
b) France
c) United States of America
d) Britain

Answer: c) United States of America

Question 48. How is the US President elected?

a) Indirectly by Parliament
b) Directly by the people
c) By the Congress
d) By the Supreme Court

Answer: b) Directly by the people

Question 49. What is the tenure of the US President?

a) 3 years
b) 4 years
c) 5 years
d) 6 years

Answer: b) 4 years

Question 50. The US President can —

a) Veto any law passed by Congress
b) Be removed anytime by Parliament
c) Be re-elected for unlimited terms
d) Make laws directly

Answer: a) Veto any law passed by Congress

Question 51. What is the US legislature called?

a) Parliament
b) Congress
c) Assembly
d) Senate

Answer: b) Congress

Question 52. Which system is followed in India?

a) Presidential
b) Parliamentary
c) Federal
d) Unitary

Answer: b) Parliamentary