Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect. Under Article 53(1) of the Constitution, the executive power of the Union is vested in the President. It is exercised by the President either directly or through officers subordinate to the President in accordance with the Constitution.
In the parliamentary system, however, the President is the nominal executive, while the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister constitutes the real executive. Article 74 provides for a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President. Under Article 77, all executive actions of the Government of India are expressed to be taken in the name of the President.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is not the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. At the Union level, the Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of important bodies such as NITI Aayog, the Inter-State Council and the National Integration Council. Therefore, the institutional roles of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary should not be confused.