Introduction of Indian Polity

1.       Introduction :

                   Constituent Assembly on 26^th November 1949 adopted the Constitution which came into force on 26 January 1950.

                  The President of India  is constitutional head of executive of the Union. Article 74 (1) of the constitution provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as head to  aid and  advise President who shall in exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice. Real executive powers thus vests in Council of Ministers Prime Minister as head.

                   Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Similarly, in state  Governor is head of executive , but it is the Council of Ministers with Chief Minister as head in whom real executive power vests.  Council of Ministers of a state is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.

                  Constitution of India distributes legislative powers between the Parliament and  the State Legislatures by keeping residual powers with  the Parliament. Power to amend  the constitution also vests with Parliament.

                 India comprises of 28 States and 7 Union Territories.