Union and State Government
Overview
Union and State Government is a foundational civics topic for TS TET Paper II Social Studies. It tests your understanding of India's federal structure—how power is distributed between the Centre and States, and the roles of key constitutional functionaries. This topic directly connects to the Indian Constitution section and frequently appears in both content and pedagogy questions.
For the exam, you must know the qualifications, election methods, powers and functions of the President, Prime Minister, Parliament at the Union level, and the Governor and Chief Minister at the State level. Questions often test comparative understanding—how the PM differs from the President, or how the Governor's role parallels the President's at the state level. Mastering this topic also helps you teach civics effectively using real-world examples of democratic functioning.
The key mental framework: India follows a parliamentary system where the real executive power lies with the PM/CM (elected, accountable to legislature), while the President/Governor serves as the nominal/constitutional head (appointed, ceremonial role with some discretionary powers).
Key Concepts
- Federal Structure with Unitary Bias: India has a dual polity—Union government for national matters, State governments for state matters. However, the Centre is stronger (can create/abolish states, appoint Governors, impose President's Rule).
- Parliamentary System: The executive (PM/CM and Council of Ministers) is drawn from and accountable to the legislature. This differs from the presidential system where the executive is separately elected.
- Nominal vs Real Executive: President and Governor are nominal heads (act on advice of Council of Ministers). PM and CM are real executives wielding actual power.
- Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the lower house (Lok Sabha at Centre, Legislative Assembly at State). If the government loses majority, it must resign.
- Bicameral Parliament: Union Parliament has two houses—Lok Sabha (lower, directly elected, more powerful) and Rajya Sabha (upper, indirectly elected, represents states).
- President's Discretionary Powers: Limited situations where President can act independently—appointing PM when no clear majority, dissolving Lok Sabha, returning bills for reconsideration.
- Governor as Centre's Agent: Unlike the elected President, Governor is appointed by the Centre and serves as a link between Union and State governments.
Key Facts
The President of India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Election | Elected by Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs) through proportional representation with single transferable vote |
| Term | 5 years; can be re-elected |
| Qualifications | Citizen of India, 35+ years, qualified for Lok Sabha membership |
| Removal | Impeachment by Parliament (special majority in both houses) |
| Key Powers | Appoints PM, Governors, judges; summons/prorogues Parliament; assents to bills; emergency powers (Articles 352, 356, 360) |
The Prime Minister
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Appointed by President; must command majority in Lok Sabha |
| Term | No fixed term; continues as long as majority support exists |
| Powers | Heads Council of Ministers; advises President on appointments; chairs Cabinet meetings; chief spokesperson of government |
| Accountability | Individually and collectively responsible to Lok Sabha |
Parliament
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Members | 545 (530 states + 13 UTs + 2 nominated) | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| Term | 5 years (can be dissolved earlier) | Permanent; 1/3 members retire every 2 years |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Vice-President (ex-officio Chairman) |
| Special Powers | Money bills originate here; final say on budget | Can declare a subject as national importance (Article 249) |
Governor
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Appointed by President (effectively by Union Cabinet) |
| Term | 5 years; serves at pleasure of President |
| Qualifications | Citizen of India, 35+ years |
| Powers | Appoints CM, summons/prorogues Assembly, reserves bills for President, discretionary powers during hung assembly |
Chief Minister
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Appointed by Governor; must command majority in Legislative Assembly |
| Powers | Heads State Council of Ministers; advises Governor on appointments; chief executive of state |
| Accountability | Collectively responsible to Legislative Assembly |
Key Articles to Remember
- Article 52-62: President
- Article 74-75: Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Article 79-122: Parliament
- Article 153-167: Governor, CM and State Legislature
- Article 352: National Emergency
- Article 356: President's Rule in States
- Article 360: Financial Emergency
Worked Examples
Example 1: After a general election, no single party has a majority in Lok Sabha. Party A has 200 seats, Party B has 180 seats. Who does the President invite to form the government?
Solution: The President uses discretionary power here. Typically, the President invites the leader of the single largest party (Party A with 200 seats) and asks them to prove majority within a specified time through a floor test. If Party A fails, President may invite Party B or a coalition that can demonstrate majority support.
Example 2: A State Legislative Assembly passes a bill. The Governor has three options. What are they?
Solution: The Governor can:
- Give assent → Bill becomes law
- Withhold assent → Bill is rejected (rarely used)
- Return the bill for reconsideration (not applicable to Money Bills) → If Assembly passes it again, Governor must give assent
- Reserve the bill for President's consideration → President can assent, withhold, or return it
Example 3: Can the Rajya Sabha reject a Money Bill?
Solution: No. Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments within 14 days. Lok Sabha may accept or reject these suggestions. If Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed passed. Lok Sabha has supreme authority over Money Bills.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking the President has real power → The President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74). Except in specific discretionary situations, the President is a constitutional head, not an executive one.
- Confusing election methods → President is elected by Electoral College (indirect election). Lok Sabha members are directly elected by people. Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs. Governor is appointed, not elected.
- Believing Governor is independent → Governor is appointed by the Centre and often acts as the Centre's representative. Unlike the President who has some constitutional protection, Governor serves at the pleasure of the President.
- Assuming both houses of Parliament are equal → Lok Sabha is more powerful in money matters and has final say in no-confidence motions. Rajya Sabha cannot remove the government.
- Mixing up removal procedures → President is removed by impeachment (both houses). PM is removed by losing confidence motion in Lok Sabha only. Governor can be removed by President anytime.
Quick Reference
- President = Nominal head of India; elected by Electoral College; 5-year term; impeachment for removal
- PM = Real executive; appointed by President; must have Lok Sabha majority; no fixed term
- Lok Sabha = Lower house, 545 members, 5-year term, controls Money Bills
- Rajya Sabha = Upper house, 250 members, permanent house, 1/3 retire every 2 years
- Governor = Centre's appointee in State; 5-year term; serves at President's pleasure
- CM = Real executive of State; appointed by Governor; accountable to Legislative Assembly