Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States as per the Constitution of India?
- A.The Governor
- B.The Vice President
- C.The President
- D.The Prime Minister
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is The Vice President. Article 64 makes the Vice-President the ex officio Chairman of the Council of States, that is, the Rajya Sabha. "Ex officio" means by virtue of the office: nobody elects the Chairman separately. The Vice-President is not a member of the Rajya Sabha and so cannot vote in the first instance, but has a casting vote to break a tie. The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members to preside in the Chairman's absence.
The Governor heads a State and has no role in Parliament. The President is part of Parliament under Article 79 and addresses it, but does not preside over either House. The Prime Minister leads the government and, as a member of one House, is the Leader of that House, but never its presiding officer. Note that when the Vice-President acts as President, he or she does not perform the duties of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha during that period.
Read the full article: President and Vice-President of India: Notes, Articles and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allWhich Article establishes the office of the President?
- A.Article 75
- B.Article 53
- C.Article 74
- D.Article 52
Show answer
The correct answer is Article 52, which says simply: "There shall be a President of India." It opens Chapter I of Part V, the chapter on the Union executive, and every other rule about the office builds on it.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following does NOT take part in the election of the President of India?
- A.Elected Member of Rajya Sabha
- B.Elected Member of Lok Sabha
- C.Elected Member of State Assembly
- D.Nominated Member of Parliament
Show answer
Under Article 54, the President is elected by an electoral college made up only of elected members: the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States, and, since the 70th Amendment of 1992, of the Union Territories of Delhi and…
Read the full explanation →What is the minimum age requirement to be elected as President of India?
- A.35 years
- B.34 years
- C.25 years
- D.30 years
Show answer
Article 58 lays down four qualifications for the President: the person must be a citizen of India, must have completed 35 years of age, must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the Union, a State or…
Read the full explanation →Who conducts oath of office to the President of India?
- A.The Prime Minister
- B.The Chief Justice
- C.Lok Sabha Speaker
- D.Rajya Sabha Chairman
Show answer
Under Article 60, the President takes the oath or affirmation before the Chief Justice of India, or, in the Chief Justice's absence, before the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
Read the full explanation →The President may resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the:
- A.Prime Minister
- B.Vice President
- C.Chief Election Commissioner
- D.Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Show answer
Article 56(1)(a) says the President may resign by writing under his or her hand addressed to the Vice-President. The Vice-President must then communicate the resignation to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha without delay.
Read the full explanation →