The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet.

Class 10 Civics worksheets with answers - 2024 -25

The President and the Vice President

1. State the qualification required to become the President of India.

Ans. (i) A citizen of India,

(ii)has completed the age of thirty five years,
(iii) is qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha,
(iv) He should not hold any office of profit under any Government of India or Government of
any state.

2. State the composition of the Electoral College that elects the President of India.

Ans. The President is elected indirectly by the members of an electoral college consisting of the
elected members of both houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative
Assemblies of the States.

3. Give reasons for the Indirect Election of the President of India.

Ans. 1. If the President was to be elected directly by the people, he could become a rival center
of power to the Council of Ministers. This would be against the parliamentary system
with ministerial responsibility.2. The electoral college which elects the President would
make the President the elected representative of the whole nation with a clear voice given
to the states as well.
4. What is the term of the President of India?
Ans. The President shall hold office for a term of five years
5.How can the President vacate his office?
Ans .The President may submit his resignation letter to the Vice-President, in order to resign his
office. The President may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the
office by the process of impeachment.
6.What is the procedure for impeachment of the President?
Ans. The President can be removed from office by impeachment for the violation of the
Constitution by a resolution passed by both Houses, after proving the charges against
him.
7.Briefly explain the Executive powers of the President of India.
Ans. (i) The President is the executive head of the State.
(ii) He makes all important appointments such as those of the PM and the other Ministers,
Governors, the Chief Justice and the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts,
the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General and Chairman of various
committees
(iii) He administers the Union Territories and the Border Areas.
(iv)He assumes to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State when the
State is put under President’s Rule.

8.Briefly explain the Legislative powers of the President.

Ans. 1. He addresses the first session of Parliament after the General Elections and the First
session of each year.
2. He can issue Ordinances when the Parliament is not in session.
3. He can summon, prorogue or dissolve the Lok Sabha and order fresh elections.
4. A Bill passed by Parliament must receive his assent before it becomes an Act.
5. He can nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha and 2 Anglo-Indian members to the
Lok Sabha.
6.No Bill can become a law without the assent and the signature of the President.
7. The Governor may reserve some Bills passed by the State Legislature for the
consideration of the President
.8. A Bill for the formation of new States or alteration of areas of the existing States
cannot be introduced except on the President’s recommendation.

9. Briefly explain the Financial Powers of the President

.1. Money Bills can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President
2. The Finance Minister on behalf of the President places the Annual Budget before
Parliament.
3. The Annual Financial Statement is also laid before the Parliament at the beginning of every
Financial Year on behalf of the President.
4.The President can authorize withdrawal of advances from the Contingency Fund of India to
meet unforeseen expenditure.
5. After every five years the President appoints a Finance Commission comprising a
Chairman and four other members.

10. Briefly explain the Judicial Powers of the President

1. The President is not answerable before any Court of law for the exercise of the powers
and duties of his/her office.
2. No criminal suit can be initiated against him/her tenure of office
3. The President has the power to grant pardons or commute the sentence of any person
convicted for an offense.

11. Briefly state the Discretionary powers of the President.

Ans. 1. Appointment of the PM in a situation where no single party commands the clear support
of the majority of the Lok Sabha members and there is a hung Parliament. 2. Appointment of
PM in case of sudden death. 3. The President can dismiss Ministers in case the Council of
 Ministers loses the confidence of the House but refuses to resign.
12.Mention three types of Emergencies, which the Constitution makes provision
for.

1. National or General Emergency.

2. Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery.
3. Financial Emergency.

The Vice President

How is the Vice President elected?
Ans: The Vice President is elected by the members of both the Houses of Parliament in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable
vote.
State the qualifications needed to contest for the post of Vice President.
Ans: 1. A citizen of India
2. Not less than 35 years of age
3. Qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
4. Does not hold any office of profit either under the Union Government or under
State Government.
3. What is the term of office of the Vice President of India?
Ans: 5 Years
4. State the powers and functions of the Vice President.
Ans.1. The Vice president is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Officiates as President in case of death, resignation or removal of the President till
a new President is elected.
3. When the President is unable to discharge his/her functions owing to absence, illness
or any other reason, the Vice President discharges his/her functions.

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

1. Who is the head of the Union Council of Ministers?

Ans. Prime Minister.

2. Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?

Ans. The President of India appoints the PM of India.

3. Who appoints the Council of Ministers?

Ans. The President appoints the Council of Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
 4. Under what provision can a non-member of Parliament be made a Minister? Ans.
In case a non-member is appointed as a minister, he must be elected or nominated to the
Parliament within six months from the date of his appointment.

5. Mention the categories of Ministers in the Council of Ministers.

Ans. Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
6. What is meant by the term ‘Cabinet’?
Ans. The Cabinet is composed of a small but important body of senior leaders of the party, who
are included in the Council of Ministers. They hold important portfolios and decide major
policies of the Government.

7. Who appoints the Cabinet Ministers?

Ans. The President appoints the Cabinet Ministers on the advice of the PM.

8. Who formulates the foreign policy of India?

Ans. The cabinet Ministers headed by the PM of India.

9. How long can a Minister stay in office?

Ans. The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. The PM and the Council of
Ministers are directly responsible to the Lok Sabha and can remain in office so long as they
enjoy the majority support in the House of the people. If the LS passes a vote of
No-Confidence against the Council of Ministers they have to resign collectively.

10. Explain the powers and functions of the Cabinet.

Administrative Powers
1. Policy making : The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic policies of
the Government. It takes decisions on matters such as defense, economic policy,
security needs, President’s rule in State, formation of new States, industrial policy,
imports and electoral reforms.
2. Implementation of policies: Once a policy decision is taken by the Cabinet on
any subject, it is conveyed to the Minister of State and the Deputy Minister of the
concerned Ministry. They work out the details and pass it to the civil servants
under the Ministry to implement the same.
3. Coordinating the Functioning of various Ministers: The Cabinet coordinates
the working of various departments for the smooth implementation of
government policies. Any government policy, be it eradicating unemployment,
improving public health services or increase in government revenue.
4. Appointments: All major appointments, though made by the President, are
decided upon by the Cabinet. Such appointments refer to the appointment of
Judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, Governors of State, Chief Election
Commissioner and other dignitaries.

Legislative Powers
1. Introduction of Bills : The Cabinet and the department of administration
take initiative in legislation. In fact, the Cabinet initiates almost 95 percent
of the Bills.
2. Source of Information: The ministers along with the secretaries of the
concerned departments answer questions put to them by the members of
the Lok Sabha.
3. Amendment to the Constitution: The Cabinet is instrumental in planning
and moving the Amendment to the Constitution.
4. Summoning the Houses of Parliament: Although the Houses are
summoned by the President, initiative in this matter is taken by the
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
5. President’s Special Address: The Cabinet prepares the President’s
Special Address to the Parliament.
6. Issuing Ordinances: Cabinet advises the President to issue Ordinances
when the Parliament is not in session.

Financial Powers of the Cabinet

1. Budget: The Finance Minister prepares the Annual Budget
containing estimates of income and expenditure for the ensuing year.
2. Finances of the Government: The Cabinet is responsible for the
expenditure of the government, for presenting the demand for grants
and also for raising necessary income by various means including
taxation.
3. Introduction of Money Bills: A money Bill can be introduced only
in the Lok Sabha.

11. Position and Powers of Prime Minister

Prime Minister and the President
1. All authority vested in the President is exercised by the PM.
2. The President is the nominal head and the PM is the real executive
of the Indian Union.
3. It is on the advise of the PM that the President summons and prorogues
 the Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha.
4. The PM chooses the ministers and, on his/her, the President appoints
them
5. He/She advises the President on various appointments to important
posts such as the Judges of the Supreme Courts, the Governors and
Ambassadors.
6. He/She is a link between the President and the Council of Ministers.

12. What are the powers of the PM as a chairperson of the Cabinet?

Ans. (i) The PM is the leader of the Cabinet.
(ii) The PM has the power to allocate Portfolios and to reshuffle the Council of Ministers. (iii)
The PM has the power to select and dismiss Ministers.
(iv) The PM has the power to direct and coordinate policy.
(v) Resignation of the PM implies the resignation of the whole Cabinet.

13. What is the position of the PM under the Parliamentary system ofGovernment?

Ans. (i) The PM is the leader of the Lok Sabha.

(ii) He is the spokesperson of the Government.
(iii) He is the defender of the Government’s policies.
(iv) He intervenes in case of Controversial issues.

14. What is the role of the PM as a leader of the Nation?

Ans. (i)The PM represents the Nation. When he speaks, the whole nation is supposed to be
speaking through him.
(ii) During a national crisis like war, even the opposition parties support the PM. (iii) The
PM decides what kind of relations India would have with other countries. (iv) The PM tries
to protect the interests of the country in international forums (v) The PM is also the
Ex-Officio chairman of the Niti Aayog and the Atomic Energy Commission.

15. What are the limitations on the authority of the PM?

Ans. Opposition parties always look for a chance to criticize the PM. The press and public
opinion act as effective checks on the PM's authority. Though the PM is the leader of the
majority party, he has to ensure the support of his ministers as well as the party.

16.Distinguish between individual responsibility and collective responsibility. Ans.

Collective responsibility: The decisions taken in the meetings of the Cabinet are equally
applicable to all the Ministers even though they may differ among themselves on a particular
policy. All Ministers jointly share the responsibility for the Government’s policies and
performance. A vote of No-Confidence against one Minister is a vote against the whole
Ministry.
Individual responsibility: The ministers are individually responsible to the President, i.e., they
hold office during the pleasure of the President and may be dismissed by him. Each
member is answerable to Parliament for the department under his control .Each minister
is responsible for matters such as personal lapse, departure from official policy by him or
breach of oath of secrecy and so on.
16. State three points of difference between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
Cabinet:
- They are the most trusted colleagues of the Prime Minister.
- The PM always consults them.
- The Cabinet is a small cohesive group of senior ministers who determine the policy and
programme of the Government
- In day-to-day governance of the country, the Cabinet advises the President ,through the Prime
Minister.
Council of Ministers:
- It consists of all categories of ministers: Cabinet, Minister of State and the Deputy Ministers. - The
PM may or may not consult the other Ministers, below the rank of the Cabinet Ministers. - In the
day to day working of the government, the Council of Ministers as a whole rarely meets -
According to the Constitution, the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.