Government in India - Overview and Types

 India is an independent and democratic nation with its government consisting of a parliamentary system with federal and unitary components. India is also a socialist and secular nation according to the Forty Second Amendment of the Constitution of India.

The Indian Constitution demarcates its government as executive, legislative, and judicial authority. These governmental powers are held by the President, prime minister, parliament, and Supreme Court. For the executive body, the President has the role of the constitutional leader. The Prime minister serves as the nominal head of government affairs.

Per the constitution, India's President has the majority of the executive power. Though most of these powers are on untested waters and, if executed, can cause an array. Prime ministers in India head Councils of Ministers who advise the President on which he must act. The same goes in the states where a Chief Minister leads a Council of Ministers that advises the Governor. The appointment of these ministers, including their head, are from the parliament of India. In addition, the prime minister may be removed by a vote in the Lok Sabha.

The President, who has a five-year term, is also the chief commander of the armed forces and holds various clemency powers. He may confer some executive powers to his Vice President. Further, the President is in charge of choosing several necessary cabinets, including the governors of the 28 states.

The legislative body in India is under the parliament's control. It is bicameral and divided into Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha is the upper House of Parliament, whose members are appointed according to constitutional provisions by the President. On the other hand, Lok Sabha, the lower house with 543 members, is elected by electorates for a five-year term. The upper house is often referred to as the Council of States, while the lower house is; the House of the People.

Each house holds unique powers, but Lok Sabha is the most potent house since its members were selected by the general population and are seen as the State's direct representatives. Its membership is notably temporary despite the fixed term. The President, on the advice of the Council of Ministers, can remove them. The members of the higher court, Rajya Sabha, enjoy more stability during their six-term reign.

Any laws made by this parliament are subject to judicial evaluation by the courts, with the signature of the President required for any bill to become a law.

Judicial bodies in India have the authority to render judgments, uphold the law, and resolve disputes. The courts in India include the Supreme, High, and District courts. The apex is the Supreme Court, headed by a Chief Justice, appointed by the President and other justices. The Supreme Court also holds the highest appellate powers.

Each of the 28 states in India is mandated to have a high court to handle economic and legal issues. The District courts are courts of the state high courts. There may be more than one district court in a district in India. It is dependent on the population or if the case occurrence is voluminous.