Indian Polity and Governance

The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha performs the duties of the Speaker in their absence. This is a constitutional provision ensuring continuity in parliamentary proceedings. The Deputy Speaker is elected by members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.

The Speaker is the constitutional head of the Lok Sabha, responsible for presiding over debates, maintaining order, and interpreting rules. The Speaker ensures orderly conduct of business and is the representative and spokesperson of the House.

The Indian President is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. The US President is elected by the Electoral College comprising electors chosen from each state. Both systems use indirect election through representative bodies rather than direct popular vote.

Under Article 108 of the Indian Constitution, the President has the authority to summon a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament to resolve deadlocks on Bills (except Money Bills). This is a constitutional power vested in the President as the head of state.

Ad hoc committees in Parliament can be appointed by either the Speaker of Lok Sabha or the Chairman of Rajya Sabha (or both), depending on the nature and scope of the committee's work. These are temporary committees for specific purposes.

According to Article 71 of the Indian Constitution, any doubt or dispute arising out of the election of the President or Vice-President is referred to the Supreme Court for decision. The Supreme Court's decision in this matter is final and binding. The Election Commission conducts elections but disputes are settled by the judiciary.

When two or more zonal councils hold joint meetings, the Union Home Minister presides. Zonal councils were established in 1957 to foster cooperation and develop common policies among states in the same zone. The Home Minister is the common chairman for all five zonal councils.

Under Article 74(2), courts cannot inquire into any advice tendered by the Council of Ministers to the President, including what advice was given. This protects executive confidentiality and ensures the President acts on ministerial advice without judicial interference. It maintains the constitutional convention of parliamentary democracy.

While residuary powers are vested with Parliament (Article 248), the final authority to decide whether a matter is residuary rests with the Judiciary. This judicial power allows courts to interpret the Constitution and determine legislative competence disputes between Centre and states, ensuring federal balance.

The President has the authority to specify which castes shall be deemed Scheduled Castes. Parliament can modify this list, but the initial specification and publication of Scheduled Castes is a presidential power under Article 341. This ensures constitutional protection for historically disadvantaged communities.

The President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected members of both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. The Election Commission of India conducts and supervises this election to ensure free and fair polling. The Speaker, Minister, or Home Ministry have no role in conducting Presidential elections.

The President cannot remove judges of the Supreme Court; this power rests with Parliament through the impeachment process under Article 124(4). The President appoints judges on advice, can grant pardons under Article 72, and can consult the Supreme Court under Article 143. However, removal of judges for misconduct or proved incapacity is exclusively a parliamentary power.

The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers under Article 74. While the President can dismiss a minister, this can only be done on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who is responsible for the composition of the Council. The President cannot exercise personal discretion in this matter.

The President has three types of emergency powers: National Emergency (Article 352), State Emergency/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial Emergency (Article 360). These are the only emergency provisions in the Constitution.

Under Article 154(1) of the Constitution, the executive power of the State is vested in the Governor and exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him. However, in practice, the Governor acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), making the Cabinet the real executive authority that exercises governance functions.