Answer key for the exercises in the lesson
Exercises for Summative Assessment
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. The Prime Minister is the head of the
government at the centre.
2. The President should have the qualifications
to be a member of Lok Sabha.
3. In India, the President is the head of the
State.
4. The term of a President is five years.
5. The Council of Ministers can advise the
president to dissolve the Parliament.
II. True or False?
1. India follows the presidential form of
government. (F)
2. The position of the President is mainly that
of a figurehead. (T)
3. The Prime Minister is the supreme
commander of the armed forces. (F)
4. If the Prime Minister resigns, all the ministers
should resign. (T)
5. Under the RTI Act, people can examine
government files. (T)
III. Answer in brief.
1. Mention the constituents of the union
executive.
The union executive consists of the President,
Vice President, Prime Minister, and council
of ministers.
2. Who elects the president of India?
The president is elected through an electoral
college consisting of members of both the
houses of parliament, and the legislative
assemblies and legislative councils of all the
states and the union territories.
3. Name the three tiers of the union council of
ministers.
The union Council of Ministers consists of
the cabinet ministers, ministers of state and
deputy ministers.
IV. Answer in detail.
1. Why is the president’s position called a
figurehead?
The president’s position is called a figurehead
as he or she is bound by the constitution to
follow the advice of the prime minister.
2. Under what circumstances can an
emergency be declared by the President?
A state of emergency can be declared by the
President on the advice of the prime minister
and council of ministers. This can happen if
there is an internal crisis or ‘civil war’ like
situation in the country; if there is a foreign
force threatening the country’s sovereignty;
if there is a breakdown in the constitutional
machinery of a particular state, or if there
is a threat to the financial stability of the
country.
3. What is meant by collective responsibility?
In the Indian democracy, the ministers are
collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
as the Lok Sabha represents the people of
India. If and when the Lok Sabha passes a
no confidence motion, not only the prime
minister but all the other ministers too will
have to resign. This is known as the principle
of collective responsibility.
4. What is the RTI Act? Discuss in detail.
The Right to Information Act gives the right to
access any government record or file. Under
this Act, any citizen can ask for information
from a public authority and this information
has to be provided immediately or within 30
days. This Act is seen as one of the biggest
threats to organised corruption in India. It
allows us to inspect government files and
take photocopies of file pages. People use it
to get things like ration cards, government
aid, etc if it is unjustly denied.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. d 2. d 3. a 4. d 5. b 6. b 7. d
Value-based question
• Being proactive and resourceful
• Willingness to fight for his rights and the
rights of others like him
• Having a spirit of brotherhood
• Being compassionate and helpful
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 Question bank
I. Match the columns. II. Answer in brief.
1. Head of state a. has to sign the bills 1. What is the main objective of the union
before they can executive?
become laws 2. How is the president elected?
2. Head of b. president 3. Can the president be removed from office?
government Explain the process.
3. Legislative power c. Cabinet minister 4. What are the powers of the council of
of the president ministers?
4. Council of d. the supreme III. Answer in detail.
ministers commander of the
1. How do the principles of collective
armed forces
responsibility affect the working of the
5. Executive power e. prime minister council of ministers?
of the president
2. How do the powers of the prime minister
6. Ex-officio chairman f. vice president make him/her the most powerful person of
of the Rajya Sabha the government?
Answer key for the worksheet
I. 1. Each department or area of a government’s if there is an internal crisis in the country, if
responsibility is known as a portfolio. Each there is a breakdown in the constitutional
cabinet minister is in charge of a portfolio. machinery of a particular state, or if there is
2. To accuse someone of going against the threat to the financial stability of the country.
constitution of the country and to dismiss In such situations, the president can declare
the person from office emergency or impose president’s rule in the
affected state.
3. A head of a state or country only in name
2. Two functions of the prime minister include:
4. A body consisting of the prime minster
and the cabinet ministers who hold the a. The prime minister advises the president on
most important portfolios and who make when to summon, dissolve and prorogue the
important government policies. Parliament
II. 1. False 2. True 3.False b. The prime minister is the chairperson of the
Planning Commission (The answer may vary
III. 1. d. 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. d
from student to student.)
1. A state of emergency can be declared by
the president if there is an external force
threatening the sovereignty of the country,

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