Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
4. Critically Examine the view that the president of India is merely a rubber stamp of the executive. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question: India is going to elect its new President on July 18. The new President will be sworn in on July 25.
Key Demand of the question: To write about the role of President of India in the Indian executive.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a brief about president as the head of the Indian state.
Body:
First, discuss how he is just a titular head – He is the nominal head of the government but the real power lies with the Prime Minister. Discuss article 53, 74, 75 etc. Use suitable examples of recent incidents from which it is evident that he is a mere rubber stamp.
Next, give the counter view – situations where President has powers and does not act as a rubber stamp. For Example -Veto powers of president like pocket veto, suspensive veto etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion.
