India has a parliamentary form of government with a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive and judiciary in India play distinct but interconnected roles in the country's governance. While the executive formulates and implements policies, the judiciary ensures these policies and actions are by the Constitution and the rule of law. This separation of powers is essential for upholding democracy and protecting citizens’ rights in India. The Union Executive’s role in the Indian parliamentary system is extremely important. The President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers, and Attorney-General comprise the Union Executive. The Union Executive is included in Chapter I of Part V of the Indian Constitution (Articles 52 to 78).
The President
Article 52 of the Constitution provides for a President of India. He is the head of the Indian State, the first citizen of India, and acts as the symbol of unity, integrity, and solidarity of the nation. The President of India plays a dual role, serving as both the ceremonial head of the state and the guardian of the Constitution. He is the Armed Forces Supreme Commander.
Vice President
According to Article 63, there shall be a Vice President. He performs a dual role as he is not only the Vice President but also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha which means that he/she presides over the Rajya Sabha and performs the normal duties of a presiding officer. These include maintenance of order in the House, allowing members to speak and ask questions, and putting bills and motions to vote.
Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers
The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary system of government and, therefore, divides the executive into two parts: the nominal and real executive. The President of India is the nominal executive and the Council of Ministers is the real executive which works under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Article 74 of the Constitution of India states that “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice: Provided that the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.”
The State Executive
The State Executive is the branch of state government in charge of administering the state and enforcing the law. The Governor serves as the official leader of the State Executive, while the Chief Minister leads the Council of Ministers and is the state’s attorney general. The legislature, the executive branch, and the judiciary make up the three branches of the government, which is built on the separation of powers. Enforcing laws passed by the legislature and managing state governance are roles assigned to the state executive. The State Executive encompasses of the Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Advocate General of the State, and Non-Political Permanent Executive – the Civil Servants. The State’s major duty is to uphold the Rule of Law and keep the state’s law and order. It also makes policies and prepares for development. Although the legislation is the guardian of all finances, the executive is in charge of creating budgets and collecting and disbursing tax money. The executive’s main function is to supervise and direct the execution of the law. It is also responsible for formulating the state’s general policies. It makes all major appointments including judges of various State, High, and Supreme court(s) It also appoints chairman and members of the Union public, ambassadors, Air Force and Navy, and so on. Its military functions include exercising supreme command over the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Another important function of the executive is to grant honors and titles to the people in recognition of their commendable services to the country
The executive branch carries out many critical functions in government work. It enforces laws, manages government agencies, programs, and employees, recommends new policies, proposes budgets, appoints leaders, negotiates with other countries, and commands the military. All these functions of the executive work together to carry out the will of elected representatives and serve the public through how the government runs.