India · Government
Government and administration in India
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of State — President of India
- Elected by an electoral college of legislators.
- Executive — Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers
- Responsible to the Lok Sabha.
- Legislative — Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- 543 elected members; 245 in the upper house.
- Judicial — Integrated single judiciary
- One hierarchy applying both central and state law.
How legislation is made
Bills pass three readings in each House; money bills originate only in the Lok Sabha. Presidential assent follows, and ordinances may be promulgated between sessions.
Enforcement institutions
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Premier federal investigating agency.
- Enforcement Directorate
- Money laundering and foreign exchange enforcement.
- State police forces
- Police is a State List subject under the Seventh Schedule.
Government bodies and regulators
- executiveMinistry of Law and JusticeHandles legislative drafting, judicial appointments processing and legal aid.
- executiveMinistry of Home Affairs — Foreigners DivisionRegulates visas, registration and citizenship.
- executiveIncome Tax DepartmentAdministers direct taxes under the Income-tax Act.
- independentNational Human Rights CommissionInvestigates human-rights violations by public authorities.
- independentSecurities and Exchange Board of IndiaRegulates securities markets and protects investors.
- executiveMinistry of Corporate AffairsAdministers the Companies Act and the company register.
- independentCompetition Commission of IndiaMerger control and anti-competitive conduct enforcement.
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