By the end of this lesson, you'll solve:
"The President is the head of state but the PM is the head of government. Who actually has more power?"
The President & Prime Minister
India has a parliamentary system where the President is the ceremonial head and the Prime Minister holds real executive power.
Key Points
- 1President: Elected by Electoral College (MPs + MLAs), 5-year term, commander of armed forces
- 2PM: Leader of majority party in Lok Sabha, heads Council of Ministers, real executive power
- 3President acts on PM's advice (42nd and 44th Amendments)
- 4President has limited discretion: appointing PM when no clear majority, returning bills once
Pro Tip
India chose a parliamentary system (like UK) over a presidential system (like USA). The PM is powerful because they have Lok Sabha majority behind them!
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