Rajya Sabha

The origin of Rajya Sabha can be traced back to 1919, when in pursuance to the Government of India Act, 1919, a second chamber known as the Council of States was created. This Council of States, comprising of mostly nominated members was a deformed version of second chamber without reflecting true federal features. The Council continued to function till India became independent. The Rajya Sabha, its Hindi nomenclature was adopted in 23 August, 1954.

The Parliament of India

• The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India.
• The Parliament of India founded in 1919.
• The Parliament alone possesses legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all political bodies in India.

The Comptroller & Auditor General of India

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is an authority, established by the Constitution of India under Chapter V, who audits all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government.

The Attorney-General of India

• The Attorney General is the first law officer of the government of India.
• He is appointed by the President of India under Article 76(1) of the Constitution and holds office during the pleasure of the President. He must be a person qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

The Union council of Ministers

• The Cabinet of India (officially called the Union Council of Ministers of India ) is the collective decision-making body of the Government of India.
• The Union council consists of the Prime Minister and 35 Cabinet Ministers, the most senior of the government ministers. The Cabinet is the ultimate decision-making body of the executive within the Westminster system of government in traditional constitutional theory.

The Vice President

The Vice President of India is the second-highest office in India, after the President. The Vice President is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting members of both houses of the Parliament. The Vice President would ascend to the Presidency upon the death, resignation, impeachment, or other situations leading to the vacancy in the Office of President. The normal function of the Vice President is to serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

List of Presidents of India since 1950

Presidents of India	Birth/death	Tenure
Dr.Rajendra Prasad	1884-1963	01/26/50
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	1888-1975	05/13/62
Zakir Hussain	1897-1969	05/13/67

The Powers and Functions of the President of India

Executive Powers - Article 53- All executive powers of the Union are vested in him. These powers are exercised by him either directly or through subordinate officers in accordance with the Constitution. The Supreme Command of the Defence Force is vested on the President and the exercises it in accordance with law.

Executive of the Union

• Executive power of the Union is vested in the President, and is exercised by him / her either directly or through officers subordinates to President in accordance with the Constitution of India.
• The President is also the Supreme commander of defence forces of the Indian Union.
• The President summons, prorogues, addresses, sends messages to Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha, promulgates Ordinances at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, makes recommendations for introducing financial and bills and gives assent to bills, grants pardons, reprieves, respites or remission of punishment or suspends, and remits or commutes sentences in certain cases.

Procedure for amending the constitution

The procedure of amending the constitution is given in Article 368. It says that the parliament can amend the constitution under its constituent power. A bill must be presented in either house of the parliament and must be approved by a majority of each houses and not less than 2/3 majority of each house present and voting.