Vision Academy EducareVision Academy Educare
Question 70 of 78 · Union Executive: President, VP & PM
Questioneasy
This question was previously asked in

Police

The Supreme Commander of the defence forces of India is the:

Answer View answer ▾

Answer: Option C — President

Detailed Solution

Under Article 53(2), the supreme command of the defence forces of the Union is vested in the President, and its exercise is regulated by law.

What this means:

  • The President is the Supreme Commander of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
  • He appoints the chiefs of the three services.
  • He can declare war and conclude peace, subject to the approval of Parliament.
  • In practice, these powers are exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers, especially the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the Prime Minister.

Ceremonial role:

  • The President takes the salute at the Republic Day parade.
  • He presents gallantry awards such as the Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.
  • He reviews the fleet in the President's Fleet Review and the Air Force in the President's Review.

Civilian control of the armed forces:

  • In India, the armed forces are under civilian control.
  • The Ministry of Defence, headed by the Defence Minister, is responsible for defence policy and administration.
  • Parliament controls defence spending through the budget.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS):

  • The post was created in 2019, and General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS.
  • The CDS is the head of the Department of Military Affairs and the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister.
  • He is the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Highest military ranks:

Field Marshal, an honorary five-star rank, has been conferred on Sam Manekshaw and K.M. Cariappa.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force has been conferred on Arjan Singh.

Comparison with other countries:

  • In the United States, the President is the Commander-in-Chief and also the real executive.
  • In the United Kingdom, the monarch is the head of the armed forces, but the government exercises control.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗The Prime Minister heads the government but is not the Supreme Commander.
  • ✗The Defence Minister heads the Ministry of Defence.
  • ✗Good to know
  • ✗The CDS is a military officer who advises the government.

Quick tip

Remember: Supreme Commander of the defence forces = President (Article 53(2)); first CDS = General Bipin Rawat (2019).

💬 Discussions on this question

Ask a doubt ›

Still stuck on this question? Ask our faculty and fellow students — answers appear here.

Ask a doubt

More Union Executive: President, VP & PM Questions

View all ›
  1. Q1.'There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President' is provided in:
  2. Q2.Along with the elected members of Parliament and state Legislative Assemblies, the elected members of which Union Territory assemblies vote in the election of the President?
  3. Q3.Under which Article can the President seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on a question of law or fact?
  4. Q4.According to Article 53, the executive power of the Union is vested in the:
  5. Q5.A bill becomes an Act after being passed by both Houses of Parliament and receiving the assent of the:

More General Knowledge Questions

  1. Q1.The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?Indian Dance Forms
  2. Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?Indian Dance Forms
  3. Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:Indian Dance Forms
  4. Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?Indian Dance Forms
  5. Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:Indian Dance Forms

Union Executive: President, VP & PM — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Union Executive: President, VP & PM, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers the Union Executive: the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General. It includes their election or appointment, qualifications, powers, removal, and the relationship between the President and the Council of Ministers. Common questions cover the electoral college that elects the President, impeachment under Article 61, the President's ordinance-making power (Article 123) and pardoning power (Article 72), and the fact that the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Lists of past Presidents and Prime Ministers are also tested. Practise the Union Executive questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

‹ All Union Executive: President, VP & PM questionsBrowse all topics ›