Government of India-11259

2026-05-07T09:00:55Z

85.132.89.228:

{{Short description|none}}
{{Protection padlock|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{ Infobox executive government
| background_color = #ff671f
| government_name = Government of India
| nativename = {{transliteration|hi|ISO|Bhārata Sarakāra}}
| border = federal
| image = Government of India logo.svg
| image_size = 190px
| caption = Government of India's Logo with wordmark crested with the emblem of India on the left.
| date_established = Current form: {{Start date and age|df=yes|1950|1|26}} (see: [[Constitution of India]])
| date_dissolved = 
| state = [[Republic of India]]
| country = 
| polity =
| leader_title = [[President of India]] ([[Droupadi Murmu]])
<br> [[Prime Minister of India]] ([[Narendra Modi]]) (de facto)
| main_organ = [[Union Council of Ministers]]
| ministries = [[{{wikidata|title|Q24952557}}|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q24952557|P360|Q192350|P1114}} ministries and {{wikidata|qualifier|Q24952557|P360|Q643589|P1114}} subordinate departments]]
| responsible = [[Lok Sabha]]<ref>Article 75(3) of [[Constitution of India]]</ref>
| budget = {{INR Convert|50.65|t|year=2025}}
| address = [[Kartavya Bhavan]], [[New Delhi]]
| url = 
}}
{{Politics of India}}

The '''Government of India''' ({{transliteration|hi|ISO|Bhārata Sarakāra}}, legally the '''Union Government''', the '''Union of India'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of India » 300. Suits and proceedings. |url=http://constitutionofindia.etal.in/article_300/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=19 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619123441/http://constitutionofindia.etal.in/article_300/ |url-status=live }}</ref> or the '''Central Government''') is the national authority of the [[Republic of India]], established in accordance with the [[Constitution of India]]. As outlined in [[Part I of the Constitution of India|Part I]], India is a "Union of States", a term often used interchangeably to refer to the "Union Government" or the Government of India, representing the central authority. India is a [[parliamentary republic]] led by the [[president of India]] who, as the [[Ceremonial Head of state|ceremonial]] head of state, holds formal executive power. Dictated by [[Parliamentary elections of India|parliamentary elections]], the president appoints the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] as the head of government, along with other ministers.

India is divided into [[States and union territories of India|28 states and 8 union territories]], making a total of 36 [[subnational entities]]. The governance of these entities is described in the Constitution as a quasi-federal system, blending elements of both [[Federalism|federal]] and [[Unitary state|unitary]] governments. While the [[List of state and union territory capitals in India|states]] are self-governing administrative divisions with their own [[State governments of India|state governments]], the [[Union territory|union territories]] are directly governed by the Union Government, under the administration of a lieutenant governor or an appointed administrator, who is chosen by the president of India. India operates under a [[Dual federalism|dual federalist]] system, where the Constitution outlines the powers and limitations of both the states and union territories. The President of India, serving as the [[ceremonial head of state]], holds formal executive power. Based on [[Elections in India|parliamentary elections]], the President appoints the Prime Minister as the head of government, along with other ministers who are members of Parliament.

The government's formal seat is at [[Parliament House, New Delhi|Parliament House]] in [[New Delhi]]. It has three primary branches: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The Constitution of India vests legislative power in the bicameral [[Parliament of India]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gledhill |first=Alan |title=The Republic of India: The Development of its Laws and Constitution |date=1970 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group|Greenwood]] |isbn=978-0-8371-2813-9 |pages=127}}</ref> executive power in the [[Union Council of Ministers]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Ram |title=Cabinet Government in India |date=1 January 1950 |publisher=[[Parliamentary Affairs]] |pages=116–126}}</ref> and judicial power in the [[Supreme Court of India]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burt |first=Neuborne |title=The Supreme Court of India |date=2003 |publisher=International Journal of Constitutional Law |pages=478}}</ref> with the president as head of state.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=B. K. |title=Introduction to the Constitution of India |date=1 August 2007 |publisher=[[Prentice Hall]] |pages=31 |language=}}</ref> It is a derivation of the British [[Westminster system]], and has a [[Federalism|federal]] structure.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Kumarasingham |first=Harshan |url=http://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/a-political-legacy-of-the-british-empire-power-and-the-parliamentary-system-in-post-colonial-india-and-sri-lanka |title=A Political Legacy of the British Empire: Power and the Parliamentary System in Post-Colonial India and Sri Lanka |date=2013 |publisher=I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd |isbn=978-0-7556-2122-4 |chapter=Mixed Messages? India’s Responses to its British Legacy |doi=10.5040/9780755621224.ch-002}}</ref> The government is formed {{update after|2029|05}}by {{wikidata|property|current|linked|qualifier|references|Q132690332|P460|P580|format=%p since %q, as the largest coalition in the [[Lok Sabha]].%r}} the prime minister and ministers, who are [[Member of Parliament (India)|members of parliament]] and belong to the Union Council of Ministers, with the prime minister at its head. The Union Council of Ministers is the peak decision-making body within the executive branch responsible for advising the president on executive policy.<ref name=":7" /><ref>Article 74(1) of the [[Constitution of India]].</ref>

The Union Council of Ministers is responsible to the [[Lok Sabha]] (lower house), as is the Cabinet in accordance with the principles of [[responsible government]].<ref>Article 75(3) of Constitution of India.</ref><ref name=":8" /> As is the case in most parliamentary systems, the government is [[Fusion of powers|dependent on Parliament]] to legislate, and [[Elections in India|general elections]] are held every five years to elect a new Lok Sabha. The most recent election was in [[2024 Indian general election|2024]]. After an election, the president generally selects as Prime Minister the leader of the party or alliance most likely to command the confidence of the majority of the Lok Sabha. In the event that the prime minister is not a member of either house of parliament upon appointment, they are given six months to be elected or appointed to parliament.{{efn|It is however not mandated by the constitution for any minister including Prime Minister to 'get elected' as they can be from among the [[Rajya Sabha#Nominated members|nominated members of Parliament]]. Six months of time is given to them for attaining the [[Rajya Sabha#Qualifications|qualifications]] of being a member of parliament so that they could be nominated as a members of the parliament within this duration.}}

==History==
=== British colonial rule: (1857–1947) ===
{{Main|British Raj}}
[[File:Parliament House, British India (1926).png|thumb|[[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Council House]] in [[New Delhi]], the seat of the former [[Imperial Legislative Council]] and home to the [[Parliament of India]] till 2023]]

The first seeds of elected responsible government were sown during [[British Raj|British colonial rule in India]] in particular by the [[Indian Councils Act 1909]], commonly known as the [[John Morley|Morley]]-[[Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto|Minto]] reforms. The Act introduced elections to the [[Imperial Legislative Council]] (then the unicameral Legislature for British India). Before that, governance was carried by an all-European [[Imperial Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] and [[Viceroy's Executive Council]]. As such, no Indians were represented in high levels of government before 1909.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Councils Act, 1909 Archives |url=https://www.constitutionofindia.net/historical-constitution/indian-councils-act-1909/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Constitution of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chandra |first=Bipan |title=India's Struggle for Independence |publisher=Penguin |year=1989 |pages=105–110}}</ref>

India's current bicameral [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] has its roots in the [[Government of India Act 1919]], commonly known as the [[Edwin Montagu|Montagu]]-[[Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford|Chelmsford]] reforms, which introduced a greatly expanded [[Imperial Legislative Council]] and the system of diarchy in provinces.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Spear |first=Percival |title=A History of India, Volume 2 |publisher=Penguin |year=1990 |pages=230–235}}</ref> It comprised a lower house, the [[Central Legislative Assembly]], with 145 members (of which 104 were elected and 41 nominated); and an upper house, the [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]], with 60 members (of which 34 were elected and 26 nominated).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government of India Act, 1935 Archives |url=https://www.constitutionofindia.net/historical-constitution/government-of-india-act-1935/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Constitution of India |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318142618/https://www.constitutionofindia.net/historical-constitution/government-of-india-act-1935/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The next structural modification to the governance of [[British Raj|British India]], the [[Government of India Act 1935]] (the longest ever [[Act of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom]] until this record was surpassed by the [[Greater London Authority Act 1999]]) introduced provincial autonomy and laid the foundation for a federal structure in India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Austin |first=Granville |title=The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1966 |pages=15–20}}</ref> It also led to the establishment of important institutions such as the [[Union Public Service Commission]]. However, it was unpopular amongst Indians as it did not grant full self-rule or dominion status.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 1935 |title=Government of India Act, 1935 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1935/2/pdfs/ukpga_19350002_en.pdf |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |archive-date=6 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206195737/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1935/2/pdfs/ukpga_19350002_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Dominion: (1947–1950) ===
{{Main|Dominion of India}}

[[File:Rajagopalachari declares India as a Republic.jpg|thumb|[[Governor-General of India]] [[C. Rajagopalachari]] declaring India a republic at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Government House]] on [[Republic Day|26 January 1950]]]]

Between midnight on [[Independence Day (India)|15 August 1947]] and [[Republic Day (India)|26 January 1950]], India was an independent, self-governing [[dominion]] of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], a [[constitutional monarchy]] with a [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] and a [[Governor-General of India|Governor-General]] as the viceregal representative of the head of state, [[George VI]]. Its unicameral legislature, the [[Constituent Assembly of India|Constituent Assembly]], was tasked with drafting the country's constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 1947 |title=Indian Independence Act, 1947 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/30/pdfs/ukpga_19470030_en.pdf |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903043415/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/30/pdfs/ukpga_19470030_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Austin |first=Granville |title=Working a Democratic Constitution |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |pages=3–10}}</ref>

=== Republic: (1950–present) ===
The [[Constitution of India]] came into effect on [[Republic Day (India)|26 January 1950]], making India a [[republic]] with a [[President of India|president]] as head of state, replacing the monarch and his viceregal representative, the [[Governor-General of India|governor-general]]. It established a parliamentary system of government and a federal structure with a strong centre.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Basu |first=D. D. |title=Introduction to the Constitution of India |publisher=LexisNexis |year=2015 |pages=50–60}}</ref>

It was based in large part on the [[Government of India Act 1935]], and also drew inspiration from several other constitutions including those of the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Canada, and France.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2019 |title=Constitution Day: Borrowed features in the Indian Constitution from other countries |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/constitution-day-borrowed-features-in-the-indian-constitution-1622632-2019-11-26 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=India Today |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307090944/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/constitution-day-borrowed-features-in-the-indian-constitution-1622632-2019-11-26 |url-status=live }}</ref>

India today is the world's largest [[democracy]], with a federal parliamentary system that has evolved significantly since independence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Metcalf |first=Barbara D. |author2=Thomas R. Metcalf |title=A Concise History of Modern India |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2012 |pages=327}}</ref>

== Nomenclature ==
The full name of the country is the ''Republic of India''. India and Bharat are equally official short [[Names for India|names]] for the Republic of India in the Constitution,<ref>{{Cite book|title=India|first=A. M.|last=Buckley|publisher=ABDO Publishing Company|year=2012|isbn=978-1-61787-625-7|location=[[Edina, Minnesota]]|oclc=767886738}}</ref> and both names appear on legal banknotes, in treaties and in legal cases. The terms "Union government", "central government" and "{{transliteration|hi|ISO|bhārat sarkār}}" are often used officially and unofficially to refer to the government of India.{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} The term ''New Delhi'' is commonly used as a [[metonym]] for the Union government,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Nairita |date=14 June 2012 |title=Why Raisina Hills, is so important for Indian Politicians? |work=[[One India]] |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2012/06/14/why-raisina-hill-so-important-for-indian-politicians-1018252.html?story=1 |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723144338/https://www.oneindia.com/2012/06/14/why-raisina-hill-so-important-for-indian-politicians-1018252.html?story=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> as the seat of the central government is in [[New Delhi]].

== Basic structure ==
The Government of India is modelled after the Westminster system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-prime-ministerial-form-of-government/article6120400.ece|title=A prime ministerial form of government|last=Subramanian|first=K.|date=17 June 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 March 2018|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|archive-date=10 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610072155/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-prime-ministerial-form-of-government/article6120400.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The Union government is mainly composed of the [[Executive (government)|executive]], the [[legislature]], and the [[judiciary]], and powers are vested by the [[Constitution of India|constitution]] in the [[Council of Ministers of India|council of ministers]], [[Parliament of India|parliament]], and the [[Supreme Court of India|supreme court]], respectively. The [[president of India]] is the [[head of state]] and the [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]], while the [[Elections in India|elected]] [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] acts as the head of the executive and is responsible for running the Union government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/government/|title=Government of India, Structure of Government India|website=elections.com|date=8 January 2018|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521132635/http://www.elections.in/government/|url-status=live}}</ref> Parliament is [[bicameral]] in nature, with the [[Lok Sabha]] being the [[lower house]], and the [[Rajya Sabha]] the [[upper house]]. The judiciary systematically contains an apex [[Supreme Court of India|supreme court]], 25 [[High Courts of India|high courts]], and hundreds of [[District Courts of India|district courts]], all subordinate to the supreme court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india|title=Constitution of India's definition of India|website=Indiagovt.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111125035/https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india|archive-date=11 November 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The basic [[Civil law (common law)|civil]] and criminal laws governing the citizens of India are set down in major parliamentary legislation, such as the [[Code of Civil Procedure (India)|civil procedure code]], the [[Indian Penal Code|penal code]], and the [[Code of Criminal Procedure (India)|criminal procedure code]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legalserviceindia.com/Criminallaws/criminal_law.htm|title=Legal services India on Criminal laws in India|publisher=Legal Services India|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328020227/http://legalserviceindia.com/Criminallaws/criminal_law.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar to the Union government, individual state governments each consist of executive, legislative and judiciary branches. The legal system as applicable to the Union and individual state governments is based on the English [[common law]] and [[Statutory Law]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://ijlljs.in/structure-of-indian-legal-system-orignal-orign-and-development-dheeraj-kumar-tiwari-bb-a-ll-b-1st-year-siddhartha-law-collegedehradun-uttarakhand/ |title=Structure of Indian Legal System: Original Origin and Development |author=Dheeraj Kumar Tiwari |work=International Journal of Law and Legal Jurisprudence Studies |access-date=19 May 2017 |archive-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608234531/http://ijlljs.in/structure-of-indian-legal-system-orignal-orign-and-development-dheeraj-kumar-tiwari-bb-a-ll-b-1st-year-siddhartha-law-collegedehradun-uttarakhand/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Legislature ==
{{Main|Parliament of India}}

[[File:Glimpses of the new Parliament Building, in New Delhi (2).jpg|thumb|[[New Parliament House, New Delhi|Parliament House]] in New Delhi]]
The powers of the legislature in India are exercised by [[Parliament of India|the Parliament]], a bicameral legislature consisting of the [[Rajya Sabha]] and the [[Lok Sabha]]. Of the two houses of parliament, the Rajya Sabha (or the 'Council of States') is considered to be the [[upper house]] and consists of members appointed by the president and [[Indirect election|elected]] by the [[States and union territories of India|state and territorial legislatures]]. The Lok Sabha (or the 'House of the People') is considered the [[lower house]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Cultural Perspectives on Youth Justice: Connecting Theory, Policy and International Practise |isbn=978-1-137-43397-8 |page=186 |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1137433973 |access-date=10 May 2017 |last1=Arnull |first1=Elaine |last2=Fox |first2=Darrell |date=29 June 2016 |publisher=Springer }}</ref>

The parliament does not have complete control and [[Parliamentary sovereignty|sovereignty]], as its laws are subject to [[judicial review]] by the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Parliaments-actions-subject-to-judicial-review-court/article14704694.ece|title=Parliament's actions subject to judicial review: court|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 July 2017|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108183753/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Parliaments-actions-subject-to-judicial-review-court/article14704694.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it does exercise some control over the [[Executive (government)|executive]]. The members of the [[Union Council of Ministers|Council of Ministers]], including [[Prime Minister of India|the prime minister]], are either chosen from parliament or elected there within six months of assuming office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/administrative-law/indian-constitution-and-parliamentary-government-administrative-law-essay.php|title=Indian Constitution And Parliamentary Government {{!}} Law Teacher|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917213650/https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/administrative-law/indian-constitution-and-parliamentary-government-administrative-law-essay.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The council as a whole is [[Responsible government|responsible]] to the Lok Sabha.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DY1CAQAAQBAJ&q=parliament+control+executive&pg=SA5-PA9|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=978-0-07-107466-7|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611230658/https://books.google.com/books?id=DY1CAQAAQBAJ&q=parliament+control+executive&pg=SA5-PA9|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lok Sabha is a temporary house and can be dissolved only when the party in power loses the support of the majority of the house. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and can never be dissolved. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a six-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041228040812/http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 December 2004|title=Our Parliament|website=www.parliamentofindia.nic.in|access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref>

== Executive ==
The [[executive branch|executive]] of government has authority and responsibility to implement laws enacted by the legislature, and for the daily administration of the state through the civil service (the bureaucracy). The separation of various types of government power, its constraint and its sharing among the separate branches of government is central to the democratic idea of the [[separation of powers]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rn2QDAAAQBAJ&q=The+Executive+Branch+of+government+of+India+is+the+one+that+has+sole+authority+and+responsibility+for+the+daily+administration+of+the+state+bureaucracy.+The+division+of+power+into+separate+branches+of+government+is+central+to+the+republican+idea+of+the+separation+of+powers.+President&pg=PA186|title=Cultural Perspectives on Youth Justice: Connecting Theory, Policy and International Practice|last1=Arnull|first1=Elaine|last2=Fox|first2=Darrell|date=29 June 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-137-43397-8|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611230607/https://books.google.com/books?id=Rn2QDAAAQBAJ&q=The+Executive+Branch+of+government+of+India+is+the+one+that+has+sole+authority+and+responsibility+for+the+daily+administration+of+the+state+bureaucracy.+The+division+of+power+into+separate+branches+of+government+is+central+to+the+republican+idea+of+the+separation+of+powers.+President&pg=PA186|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== President ===
{{Main|President of India}}

[[File:The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu administered the Oath of Office of Vice President of India to Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan at a Swearing-in-Ceremony held at Ganatantra Mandap, in Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 12, 2025.jpg|thumb|[[President of India|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]] (center), [[Vice President of India|Vice President]] [[C. P. Radhakrishnan]] (left), and [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]]]]

The executive power is vested mainly in the [[president of India]], as per Article 53(1) of the constitution. The president has all [[Constitution of India|constitutional]] powers and exercises them directly or through subordinate officers as per the aforesaid Article 53(1). The president is to act following aid and advice tendered by the prime minister, who leads the Council of Ministers as described in [[Article 74 (Constitution of India)|Article 74 of the Constitution]].

The council of ministers remains in power during the 'pleasure' of the president. However, in practice, the council of ministers must retain the support of the Lok Sabha. If a president were to dismiss the council of ministers on her or his own initiative (ie, without advice to do so from the prime minister), it might trigger a constitutional crisis. Thus, in practice, the Council of Ministers cannot be dismissed as long as it holds the support of a majority in the [[Lok Sabha]].

The president is formally responsible for appointing many high level government officials in India. These high officials include the [[Governors of states of India|governors]] of the 28 [[States and territories of India|states]]; the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice of India]]; other judges of the [[Supreme Court of India|supreme court]] and [[List of high courts in India|high courts]] (on the advice of other judges); the [[Attorney General of India|attorney general]]; the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general]]; the [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner]] and other [[Election Commissioner of India|election commissioners]]; the chairperson and members of the [[Union Public Service Commission]]; the officers of the [[All India Services]] ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], [[Indian Forest Service|IFoS]] and [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]) and [[Central Civil Services]] in group 'A'; officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]; and [[ambassador]]s and [[High commissioner (Commonwealth)|high commissioners]] to other countries; among many others.<ref name="Darpan2007">{{cite book|author=Pratiyogita Darpan|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ugDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT60|date=March 2007|publisher=Pratiyogita Darpan|page=60|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002040/https://books.google.com/books?id=5ugDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT60|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Constitution of India|last=Bakshi|first=Parvinrai Mulwantrai|publisher=Universal Law Pub. Co|year=2010 |isbn=978-8175348400 |edition=10th |location=New Delhi |page=48|oclc=551377953}}</ref> Such appointments are made 'on advice': that is, on the recommendation of ministers

The president, as the [[head of state]], also receives the credentials of [[ambassador]]s from other countries, while the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]], as [[head of government]], receives credentials of high commissioners from other [[Commonwealth of Nations|members of the Commonwealth]], in line with historical tradition.

The president is the ''[[de jure]]'' [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name="Oldenburg2010">{{cite book|last=Oldenburg|first=Philip|title=India, Pakistan, and Democracy: Solving the Puzzle of Divergent Paths|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V6nras7L790C&pg=PA71|year=2010|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-78018-6|page=71|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002040/https://books.google.com/books?id=V6nras7L790C&pg=PA71|url-status=live}}</ref>

The president can pardon or reduce the sentence of a convicted person once, particularly in cases involving the punishment of death. Decisions involving pardons and certain other matters are made independently of the advice of the prime minister or the opinion of the Lok Sabha majority. In most other cases, however, the president exercises any executive power only on the advice of the prime minister.<ref name="Kumar">Kumar; Rajesh. [https://books.google.com/books?id=an78gq3JwzYC&pg=PA72 Universal's Guide to the Constitution of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002040/https://books.google.com/books?id=an78gq3JwzYC&pg=PA72 |date=7 January 2016 }} Pg no. 72.</ref>

=== Vice president ===
{{Main|Vice President of India}}

The vice president is the second-highest constitutional position in India after the president. The vice president represents the nation in the absence of the [[President of India|president]] and takes charge as acting president in the case of resignation, impeachment or removal of the president. The vice president also has the legislative function of acting as the chairperson of the [[Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.importantindia.com/2059/functions-of-the-vice-president-of-india/|title=Important India functions of vicepresident|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920074801/http://www.importantindia.com/2059/functions-of-the-vice-president-of-india/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The vice president is elected indirectly by members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both the houses of parliament.

=== Prime minister ===
{{Main|Prime Minister of India}}

[[File:New Delhi government block 03-2016 img5.jpg|thumb|North and South Blocks of the [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Central Secretariat]] housing various [[List of ministries and departments of the Government of India|ministries]] of the Government of India, with the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]] visible in the distance]]

The [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister of India]], as addressed in the [[Constitution of India]], is the chief executive of the government and the leader of the majority party that holds a majority in the Lok Sabha. The prime minister leads the executive of the Government of India.

The prime minister is the senior member of the cabinet in the executive government in a parliamentary system. The prime minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet; allocates posts to members within the Government; is the presiding member and chairperson of the cabinet and is responsible for bringing a proposal of legislation. The resignation or death of the prime minister dissolves the cabinet.

The prime minister is appointed by the president to assist the latter in the administration of the affairs of the executive.

=== Cabinet, ministries and agencies ===
{{Main|Union Council of Ministers|List of central agencies in India}}

[[File:Government of India hierarchy.svg|alt=|thumb|678x678px|The organizational structure of a department of the Government of India.]]
The [[Union Council of Ministers]] includes the prime minister, [[Union Council of Ministers|Cabinet Ministers]] and [[Minister of State|Ministers of State]] (MoS).<ref>[http://pmindia.gov.in/details9.php Cabinet Ministers (as on 26 May 2014)]. Cabsec.nic.in. Retrieved 6 December 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527214936/http://pmindia.gov.in/details9.php |date=27 May 2014 }}</ref> Each minister must be a member of one of the houses of the parliament. The cabinet is headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]], and is advised by the [[Cabinet Secretary of India|cabinet secretary]], who also acts as the head of the [[Indian Administrative Service]] and other civil services. Other members of the council are either union cabinet ministers, who are heads of various ministries; or ministers of state, who are junior members who report directly to one of the cabinet ministers, often overseeing a specific aspect of government; or ministers of state (independent charges), who do not report to a cabinet minister. As per article 88 of the constitution, every minister shall have the right to speak in, and to take part in the proceedings of, either house, any joint sitting of the houses, and any committee of parliament of which he may be named a member, but shall ''not'' be entitled to a vote in the house where he is not a member.

==== Secretaries ====
{{Main|Secretary to the Government of India}}

A [[secretary to the Government of India]], a [[Civil service|civil servant]], generally an [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) officer,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/parity-between-ias-and-non-ias-the-ias-will-get-to-decide/story-9RijZjXY4DeaPlvo8m25mJ.html|title=Parity between IAS and non-IAS? The IAS will get to decide|last=Tikku|first=Aloke|date=15 January 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813055556/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/parity-between-ias-and-non-ias-the-ias-will-get-to-decide/story-9RijZjXY4DeaPlvo8m25mJ.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/non-ias-bureaucrats-now-eligible-secretary-level-posts-288|title=Non-IAS bureaucrats now eligible for secretary-level posts|date=18 January 2016|work=[[The Asian Age]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714053948/https://www.asianage.com/india/non-ias-bureaucrats-now-eligible-secretary-level-posts-288|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/need-pay-parity-with-ias-officers-say-officials-of-20-civil-services-1426279|title=Need Pay Parity With IAS Officers, Say Officials of 20 Civil Services|date=30 June 2016|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813142643/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/need-pay-parity-with-ias-officers-say-officials-of-20-civil-services-1426279|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/alleging-bias-non-ias-officers-petition-pm-modi-4473316/ |url-access=subscription |title=Alleging bias, non-IAS officers petition PM Modi|last=Dastidar|first=Avishek G|date=14 January 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813055642/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/alleging-bias-non-ias-officers-petition-pm-modi-4473316/|url-status=live}}</ref> is the administrative head of the ministry or department, and is the principal adviser to the minister on all matters of policy and administration within the ministry/department.<ref name="Governance India">{{cite book|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=McGraw Hill Education|year=2014|isbn=978-9339204785|location=[[Noida]]|pages=3.1–3.10|edition=2nd}}</ref><ref name="CSMOP India2">{{cite web|url=http://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSMOP_0_0.pdf|title=Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure – 14th Edition (2015)|publisher=[[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India)|Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension]]|page=6|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115133401/http://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSMOP_0_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Secretaries to the Government of India rank 23rd on [[Indian order of precedence]].<ref name="rajyasabha2" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name="Maheshwari 2001 6662" /> Secretaries at the higher level are assisted by one or many [[Additional secretary to Government of India|additional secretaries]], who are further assisted by [[Joint secretary to Government of India|joint secretaries]].<ref name="CSMOP India2" /> At the middle they are assisted by directors/deputy secretaries and under secretaries.<ref name="CSMOP India2" /> At the lower level, there are section officers, assistant section officers, upper division clerks, lower division clerks and other secretarial staff.<ref name="CSMOP India2" />

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Ministries and departments of the Government of India
!#
!Ministry
!Department(s)
|-
! rowspan="2" |1
| rowspan="2" |[[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]]
|[[Department of Atomic Energy]]
|-
|[[Department of Space]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |2
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare|Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]]
|[[Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]]
|-
|Department of Agricultural Research and Education
|-
!3
|[[Ministry of Ayush]]
|
|-
! rowspan="3" |4
| rowspan="3" |[[Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers]]
|[[Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals]]
|-
|Department of Fertilizers
|-
|Department of Pharmaceuticals
|-
!5
|[[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]]
|
|-
!6
|[[Ministry of Co-operation]]
|
|-
!7
|[[Ministry of Coal]]
|
|-
! rowspan="2" |8
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Ministry of Commerce and Industry]]
|[[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade]]
|-
|Department of Commerce
|-
! rowspan="2" |9
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Communications (India)|Ministry of Communications]]
|[[India Post|Department of Posts]]
|-
|[[Department of Telecommunications]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |10
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution]]
|Department of Consumer Affairs
|-
|Department of Food and Public Distribution
|-
!11
|[[Ministry of Corporate Affairs]]
|
|-
!12
|[[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]]
|
|-
! rowspan="5" |13
| rowspan="5" |[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]
|Department of Defence
|-
|Department of Defence Production
|-
|Department of Defence Research and Development
|-
|[[Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare]]
|-
|[[Department of Military Affairs]]
|-
!14
|[[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region]]
|
|-
!15
|[[Ministry of Earth Sciences]]
|
|-
! rowspan="2" |16
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Education (India)|Ministry of Education]]
|[[Department of Higher Education (India)|Department of Higher Education]]
|-
|Department of School Education and Literacy
|-
!17
|[[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]]
|
|-
!18
|[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]]
|
|-
!19
|[[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
|
|-
! rowspan="6" |20
| rowspan="6" |[[Ministry of Finance (India)|Ministry of Finance]]
|Department of Economic Affairs
|-
|Department of Expenditure
|-
|Department of Financial Services
|-
|Department of Investment and Public Asset Management
|-
|Department of Public Enterprises
|-
|Department of Revenue
|-
!21
|[[Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying]]
|Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries
|-
!22
|[[Ministry of Food Processing Industries]]
|
|-
! rowspan="3" |23
| rowspan="3" |[[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]]
|Department of Family Welfare
|-
|Department of Health
|-
|Department of Health Research
|-
!24
|[[Ministry of Heavy Industries]]
|
|-
! rowspan="6" |25
| rowspan="6" |[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
|Department of Border Management
|-
|Department of Home
|-
|Department of Internal Security
|-
|Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs
|-
|[[Department of Official Language]]
|-
|Department of States
|-
!26
|[[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]]
|[[Central Public Works Department]]
|-
!27
|[[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]]
|
|-
!28
|[[Ministry of Jal Shakti]]
|
|-
!29
|[[Ministry of Labour and Employment (India)|Ministry of Labour and Employment]]
|
|-
! rowspan="3" |30
| rowspan="3" |[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]]
|Department of Legal Affairs
|-
|Department of Justice
|-
|Legislative Department
|-
!31
|[[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]]
|
|-
!32
|[[Ministry of Mines (India)|Ministry of Mines]]
|
|-
!33
|[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]
|
|-
!34
|[[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy]]
|
|-
!35
|[[Ministry of Panchayati Raj]]
|
|-
!36
|[[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs]]
|
|-
! rowspan="3" |37
| rowspan="3" |[[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]
|Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances
|-
|Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare
|-
|Department of Personnel and Training
|-
!38
|[[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]]
|
|-
!39
|[[Ministry of Planning (India)|Ministry of Planning]]
|
|-
!40
|[[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]]
|
|-
!41
|[[Ministry of Power (India)|Ministry of Power]]
|
|-
!42
|[[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]
|
|-
!43
|[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]
|
|-
! rowspan="2" |44
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Ministry of Rural Development]]
|Department of Land Resources
|-
|Department of Rural Development
|-
! rowspan="3" |45
| rowspan="3" |[[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Ministry of Science and Technology]]
|[[Department of Biotechnology]]
|-
|Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
|-
|[[Department of Science and Technology (India)|Department of Science and Technology]]
|-
!46
|[[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]]
|
|-
! rowspan="2" |47
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]]
|Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
|-
|Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
|-
!48
|[[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]]
|
|-
!49
|[[Ministry of Steel]]
|
|-
!50
|[[Ministry of Textiles]]
|
|-
!51
|[[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]]
|
|-
!52
|[[Ministry of Tribal Affairs]]
|
|-
!53
|[[Ministry of Women and Child Development]]
|
|-
! rowspan="2" |54
| rowspan="2" |[[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]]
|Department of Youth Affairs
|-
|Department of Sports
|}

=== Civil services ===
{{Main|Civil Services of India}}

The Civil Services of India are the civil services and the permanent [[bureaucracy]] of India. The [[Executive (government)|executive]] decisions are implemented by the Indian civil servants.

[[File:The Union Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba in a group photograph with the IPS Officer Trainees of 2016 batch, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|[[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]] [[Rajiv Gauba]], an [[Indian Administrative Service]] officer meets with trainee officers of the [[Indian Police Service]]; both arms of the [[All India Services]]]]

In the [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]] of India, the ultimate responsibility for running the administration rests with the elected representatives of the people which are the ministers. These ministers are accountable to the legislatures which are also elected by the people based on [[universal suffrage|universal adult suffrage]]. The ministers are indirectly responsible to the people themselves. But the handful of ministers is not expected to deal personally with the various problems of modern administration. Thus the ministers lay down the policy and it is for the civil servants to enforce it.

==== Cabinet secretary ====
{{Main|Cabinet Secretary of India}}

The cabinet secretary ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: {{IAST|Maṃtrimaṇḍala Saciva}}) is the top-most executive official and [[Civil Services of India|senior-most civil servant]] of the Government of India. The cabinet secretary is the ''[[ex-officio]]'' head of the Civil Services Board, the [[Cabinet Secretariat of India|Cabinet Secretariat]], the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) and the head of all civil services under the rules of business of the government.

The cabinet secretary is generally the senior-most officer of the [[Indian Administrative Service]]. The cabinet secretary ranks 11th on the [[Indian order of precedence]].<ref name="rajyasabha2">{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/guidline_govt_mp/chap11.pdf|title=Order of Precedence|date=26 July 1979|work=[[Rajya Sabha]]|publisher=President's Secretariat|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-date=4 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704022423/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/guidline_govt_mp/chap11.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|title=Table of Precedence|date=26 July 1979|website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], Government of India|publisher=President's Secretariat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527155701/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/top|title=Table of Precedence|website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], Government of India|publisher=President's Secretariat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428030937/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/top|archive-date=28 April 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari 2001 6662">{{cite book|title=Indian Administration|last=Maheshwari|first=S.R.|publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd.|year=2000|isbn=9788125019886|location=[[New Delhi]]|edition=6th}}</ref> The cabinet secretary is under the direct charge of the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]]. Presently, the [[Cabinet Secretary of India]] is [[Rajiv Gauba]], [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]].

== Judiciary ==
{{Main|Judiciary of India}}

India's independent union judicial system began under the British, and its concepts and procedures resemble those of [[Anglo-Saxon countries]]. The [[Supreme Court of India]] consists of the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice]] and 33 associate justices, all appointed by the president on the advice of the [[Chief Justice of India]]. The [[jury trial]]s were abolished in India in the early 1960s, after the famous case ''[[KM Nanavati v State of Maharashtra|KM Nanavati v. the State of Maharashtra]]'', for reasons of being vulnerable to media and public pressure, as well as to being misled.

Unlike its United States counterpart, the Indian justice system consists of a unitary system at both state and union levels. The judiciary consists of the [[Supreme Court of India]], [[High Courts of India|high courts]] at the state level, and [[District Courts of India|district courts]] and [[Sessions Court]]s at the [[List of districts in India|district]] level.

=== Supreme Court ===
{{Main|Supreme Court of India}}

[[File:Supreme Court of India - 200705.jpg|thumb|Complex of the [[Supreme Court of India]] in [[New Delhi]]|alt=Complex of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi]]
The [[Supreme Court of India]] is situated in [[New Delhi]], the capital region of [[India]].

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal under the [[Constitution of India]], the highest constitutional court, with the power of [[constitutional review]]. Consisting of the [[Chief Justice of India]] and 33 sanctioned other judges, it has extensive powers in the form of [[Original jurisdiction|original]], [[Appellate jurisdiction|appellate]] and [[advisory jurisdictions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#|title=Rule of law index 2016|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429071718/http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As the [[Appellate court|final court of appeal]] of the country, it takes up appeals primarily against verdicts of the [[List of high courts in India|high courts]] of various states of the Union and other courts and tribunals. It safeguards [[fundamental rights]] of citizens and settles disputes between various governments in the country. As an advisory court, it hears matters which may specifically be referred to it under the [[Constitution of India|constitution]] by the president. It also may take cognisance of matters on its own (or 'suo moto'), without anyone drawing its attention to them. The law declared by the supreme court becomes binding on all courts within India and also by the union and state governments.<ref name="History PDF">{{cite web|url=http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/supct/scm/m2.pdf|title=History of Supreme Court of India|publisher=Supreme Court of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222100038/http://www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in/supct/scm/m2.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> Per [[s: Constitution of India/Part V|Article 142]], it is the duty of the [[President of India|president]] to enforce the decrees of the supreme court.

In addition, Article 32 of the constitution gives an extensive original jurisdiction to the supreme court concerning enforcing fundamental rights. It is empowered to issue directions, orders or writs, including [[writ]]s in the nature of ''[[habeas corpus]]'', ''[[mandamus]]'', ''[[prohibition]]'', ''[[quo warranto]]'' and ''[[certiorari]]'' to enforce them. The supreme court has been conferred with power to direct the transfer of any civil or criminal case from one state high court to another state high court, or from a Court subordinate to another state high court and the supreme court. Although the proceedings in the supreme court arise out of the judgment or orders made by the subordinate courts, of late{{When|date=April 2023}} the supreme court has started entertaining matters in which the interest of the public at large is involved. This may be done by any individual or group of persons either by filing a ''[[writ]] petition'' at the filing counter of the court or by addressing a letter to the [[Chief Justice of India]], highlighting the question of public importance for redress. These are known as [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l273-Public-Interest-Litigation.html|title=PIL|website=LegalServicesIndia|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428094327/http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l273-Public-Interest-Litigation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Elections and voting ==

{{Main|Elections in India|Politics of India}}

{{See also|Election Commission of India}}
India has a [[Federalism|quasi-federal]] form of government, called "union" or "central" government,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/coi-4March2016.pdf |title=The Constitution of India |access-date=16 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416084719/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/coi-4March2016.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2016 }}</ref> with elected officials at the union, state and local levels. At the national level, the [[head of government]], the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]], is appointed by the [[president of India]] from the party or coalition that has the majority of seats in the [[Lok Sabha]]. The members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected for a term of five years by [[universal suffrage|universal adult suffrage]] through a [[first-past-the-post]] voting system. Members of the [[Rajya Sabha]], which represents the [[States of India|states]], are elected by the members of State legislative assemblies by [[proportional representation]], except for 12 members who are nominated by the president.

The [[Election Commission of India]] conducts [[Parliament of India|national]] and [[State legislatures of India|state]] elections, while [[State election commission (India)|State Election Commissions]] conduct [[Local government in India|local government]] elections.

India is currently the largest democracy in the world, with around 900 million eligible voters, as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/indian-voter-population-is-900-million/articleshow/68345392.cms|title=Indian voter population is 900 million|date=10 March 2019|website=The Economic Times|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426184028/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/indian-voter-population-is-900-million/articleshow/68345392.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== State and local governments ==
{{Main|State governments of India|Union territory|Local government in India}}

In India, power is divided between the governments of the union and the [[states of India]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jagannadham |first1=V. |year=1947 |title=Division of Powers in the Indian Constitution |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42743171 |journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=742–751 |jstor=42743171}}</ref> the latter being ruled by the [[Chief Minister (India)|chiefs ministers]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Prasad |first1=R. C. |title=Local Government and Development in India |journal=International Political Science Review |year=1980 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=265–279 |doi=10.1177/019251218000100210 |jstor=1600996 |s2cid=145673733 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1600996|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The state legislature is [[bicameral]] in [[List of states of India by type of legislature|six states]] and [[unicameral]] in the rest.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=de Miñón |first1=Miguel Herrero |title=The Passing of Bicameralism |journal=The American Journal of Comparative Law |year=1975 |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=236–254 |doi=10.2307/839106 |jstor=839106 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/839106 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=7 March 2023 |access-date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307230037/https://www.jstor.org/stable/839106 |url-status=live }}</ref> The lower house is elected with a five-year term, while in the upper house one-third of the members in the house gets elected every two years with six-year terms.

[[Union territory|Union territories]] are administered directly by the union government through an [[Administrator of the government|Administrator]] or [[Lieutenant Governor - India|Lieutenant Governor]], though some have legislatures and elected governments with limited powers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is union territory and Special Areas-ForumIAS Blog |url=https://forumias.com/blog/polity/union-territories-and-special-areas/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Free UPSC IAS Preparation Syllabus and Materials For Aspirants |language=en-US}}</ref>

Local governments function at the basic level. It is the third level of government apart from union and state governments. It consists of [[Local self-government in India|panchayats]] in rural areas and [[Municipal governance in India|municipalities]] in urban areas. They are elected directly or indirectly by the people.

Local governments, comprising [[Panchayati raj in India|Panchayati Raj Institutions]] in rural areas and [[Municipal governance in India|Urban Local Bodies]] in urban areas, function under the [[Seventy-third Amendment of the Constitution of India|73rd]] and [[Seventy-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of India|74th]] Constitutional Amendments to promote democratic decentralization. Each state also enacts its own legislation to regulate the structure and functioning of local governments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=73rd Amendment of Panchayati Raj in India {{!}} Election Commission for UTs {{!}} India |url=https://secforuts.mha.gov.in/73rd-amendment-of-panchayati-raj-in-india/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616121549/https://secforuts.mha.gov.in/73rd-amendment-of-panchayati-raj-in-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=74th Amendment and Municipalities in India {{!}} Election Commission for UTs {{!}} India |url=https://secforuts.mha.gov.in/74th-amendment-and-municipalities-in-india/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |language=en}}</ref>

== Finance ==
{{See also|Reserve Bank of India}}

=== Taxation ===
{{Main|Taxation in India}}

[[File:RBI-Tower.jpg|thumb|[[Reserve Bank of India]]'s headquarters in Mumbai, India's financial capital]]
India has a three-tier tax structure, wherein the [[Constitution of India|constitution]] empowers the union government to levy [[income tax]], tax on capital transactions ([[wealth tax]], [[inheritance tax]]), [[sales tax]], service tax, customs and [[excise]] duties and the [[States and territories of India|state governments]] to levy sales tax on intrastate sale of goods, taxon [[entertainment tax|entertainment]] and [[profession]]s, excise duties on manufacture of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], [[stamp duty|stamp duties]] on transfer of property and collect land revenue (levy on land owned). The [[local governments]] are empowered by the state government to levy [[property tax]] and charge users for [[public utilities]] like [[water supply]], [[sewage]] etc.<ref name="angela">{{cite journal |author1=Bernardi, Luigi |author2=Fraschini, Angela |title=Tax System And Tax Reforms in India |year=2005 |version=Working paper n. 51 |url=https://ideas.repec.org/p/uca/ucapdv/45.html |journal= Polis Working Papers|access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-date=29 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629132746/https://ideas.repec.org/p/uca/ucapdv/45.html |url-status=live }}</ref> More than half of the revenues of the union and state governments come from taxes, of which 3/4 come from [[direct taxes]]. More than a quarter of the union government's tax revenues are shared with the state governments.<ref name="sharing">Tax revenue was 88% of total union government revenue in 1950–51 and has come down to 73% in 2003–04, as a result of the increase in non-tax revenue. Tax revenues were 70% of total state government revenues from 2002 to 2003. Indirect taxes were 84% of the union government's total tax revenue and have come down to 62% in 2003–04, mostly because of cuts in import duties and rationalisation. The state's share in the union government's tax revenue is 28.0% for the period 2000 to 2005 as per the recommendations of the eleventh finance commission. In addition, states that do not levy sales tax on sugar, textiles and tobacco, are entitled to 1.5% of the proceeds.{{cite book|author1=Datt, Ruddar |author2=Sundharam, K.P.M.|title=Indian Economy|publisher=S.Chand|year=2005|isbn=81-219-0298-3|pages=938, 942, 946}}</ref>

The tax reforms, initiated in 1991, have sought to rationalise the tax structure and increase compliance by taking steps in the following directions:
* Reducing the rates of individual and corporate income taxes, excises, and customs and making it more progressive
* Reducing exemptions and concessions
* Simplification of laws and procedures
* Introduction of [[permanent account number]] (PAN) to track monetary transactions
* 21 of the 29 states introduced [[value added tax]] (VAT) on 1 April 2005 to replace the complex and multiple sales tax system<ref name="angela" /><ref name="VAT">{{cite news|title=Indif_real_GDP_per_capitaa says 21 of 29 states to launch new tax |date=25 March 2005 |work=Daily Times |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_25-3-2005_pg5_13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116065316/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_25-3-2005_pg5_13 |archive-date=16 January 2009 }}</ref>

The non-tax revenues of the central government come from [[finance|fiscal]] services, interest receipts, public sector dividends, etc., while the non-tax revenues of the States are grants from the central government, interest receipts, dividends and income from general, economic and social services.<ref name="Datt-3">{{cite book|author1=Datt, Ruddar |author2=Sundharam, K. P. M.|title=Indian Economy|pages=943–945|chapter=55}}</ref>

Inter-state share in the union tax pool is decided by the recommendations of the [[Finance Commission]] to the president.

Total tax receipts of Centre and State amount to approximately 18% of national GDP. This compares to a figure of 37–45% in the OECD.

=== Union budget ===
{{Main|Union budget of India}}

The Finance minister of India usually presents the annual [[Union budget of India|union budget]] in the [[Parliament of India|parliament]] on the last [[working day]] of February. However, for the F.Y. 2017–18, this tradition had been changed. Now the budget will be presented on the 1st day of February. The budget has to be passed by the [[Lok Sabha]] before it can come into effect on 1 April, the start of India's [[fiscal year]]. The Union budget is preceded by an [[Economic survey of India|economic survey]] which outlines the broad direction of the budget and the economic performance of the country for the outgoing financial year<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibef.org/economy/union-budget-2017-18|title=Union Budget 2017–18|website=ibef.org|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325104858/https://www.ibef.org/economy/union-budget-2017-18|url-status=live}}</ref>

India's non-development revenue expenditure had increased nearly five-fold in 2003–04 since 1990–91 and more than tenfold from 1985 to 1986. Interest payments are the single largest item of expenditure and accounted for more than 40% of the total non-development expenditure in the 2003–04 budget. Defence expenditure increased fourfold during the same period and has been increasing to defend from a difficult neighbourhood and external terror threats. In 2025–26, India's defence budget stood at {{INRConvert|6.81|t|year=2025}}.

== Issues ==
=== Corruption ===
{{Main|Corruption in India}}

In 2009, several ministers are accused of corruption and nearly a quarter of the 543 elected members of parliament had been charged with crimes, including murder.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051303758.html When the Little Ones Run the Show (quote from the New Delhi based Association for Democratic Reform)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123223/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051303758.html |date=15 December 2018 }}. ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Retrieved 14 May 2009.</ref> Many of the biggest scandals since 2010 have involved high-level government officials, including cabinet ministers and chief ministers, such as the [[Concerns and controversies at the 2010 Commonwealth Games|2010 Commonwealth Games scandal]] ({{INRConvert|700|b|year=2010}}), the [[Adarsh Housing Society scandal]], the [[Indian coal allocation scam|Coal allocation scandal]] ({{INRConvert|1.86|t|year=2010}}), the [[Mining scams in India#Illegal iron ore mining in Karnataka|mining scandal in Karnataka]] and the [[cash-for-votes scandal]].

== See also ==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Foreign relations of India]]
* [[List of central agencies in India]]
* [[india.gov.in|National Portal of India]]
* [[MyGov.in|National Social-media Portal]]
* [[Union government ministries of India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Notelist}}

== Further reading ==
* Subrata K. Mitra and V. B. Singh (1999). ''Democracy and Social Change in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Electorate''. New Delhi: Sage Publications. {{ISBN|81-7036-809-X}} (India HB), {{ISBN|0-7619-9344-4}} (US HB).

==External links==
* {{official website|https://www.mygov.in/
My Gov.in official website}}
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{{Commons category}}
{{India topics}}
{{Government of India}}
{{Cabinet of India}}
{{Asia topic|Government of|title=Governments of Asia|TW=Government of the Republic of China}}
{{Union ministries of India}}
{{Authority control}}

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