Consider the following statements: 1. The President shall make rules

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
  • 2. All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
Statement 1 is correct: Article 77(3) of the Constitution states, “The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.” These are known as the ‘Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules’ and ‘Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules’.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 77(1) of the Constitution states, “All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the *President*.” While the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and is responsible for the day-to-day governance, formal executive actions are taken in the name of the President as the constitutional head of the executive.
– The President of India is the formal head of the executive and makes rules for the transaction of government business and allocation of portfolios.
– All executive actions of the Union Government are formally taken in the name of the President.
– The Prime Minister is the real executive head, but acts in the name of the President.
The ‘Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules’ allocate responsibilities among the various Ministries and Departments. The ‘Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules’ prescribe the procedure for the disposal of business by the government, including matters requiring submission to the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees, or the President.