NCERT Class 11 Political Science India Constitution at Work: Chapter 4 — Indian Constitution at Work
This chapter, 'Executive,' from NCERT's 'India Constitution at Work' for Class 11 Political Science, introduces the three organs of government: legislature, executive, and judiciary. It explains their coordinated functions and the interdependence between the executive and legislature in a parliamentary system. The chapter defines the executive as the organ responsible for implementing laws and policies, distinguishing between the political executive (ministers) and the permanent executive (civil servants). It also touches upon the constitutional position of the President, the role of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the administrative machinery. Understanding the executive is crucial for comprehending how government functions and policies are put into practice, aiding students in their CBSE political science studies.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | India Constitution at Work |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Indian Constitution at Work |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 514 |
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish between parliamentary and presidential executive systems.
- Understand the constitutional position of the President of India.
- Know the composition and functioning of the Council of Ministers and the importance of the Prime Minister.
- Understand the importance and functioning of the administrative machinery.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Executive | The organ of government responsible for implementing laws and policies. |
| Legislature | The organ of government responsible for making laws. |
| Judiciary | The organ of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice. |
| Parliamentary system | A system where the executive and legislature are interdependent. |
| Presidential executive | A system where the executive is separate from the legislature. |
| Council of Ministers | A body of ministers who advise the head of government. |
| Prime Minister | The head of government in a parliamentary system. |
| Administrative machinery | The civil servants and bureaucracy responsible for day-to-day administration. |
| Political executive | Elected officials like ministers responsible for government policy. |
| Permanent executive | Civil servants responsible for day-to-day administration. |
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Practice questions
- What are the three organs of government? Answer: The three organs of government are the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- What is the primary function of the executive? Answer: The primary function of the executive is the implementation of laws and policies.
- What is the difference between the political executive and the permanent executive? Answer: The political executive consists of elected ministers responsible for policy, while the permanent executive comprises civil servants handling day-to-day administration.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following are the three organs of government?
Explanation: The chapter introduces the legislature, executive, and judiciary as the three main organs of government.
Q2. In a parliamentary system, the executive and legislature are:
Explanation: The text states that in a parliamentary system, the executive and legislature are interdependent.
Q3. The organ of government primarily responsible for implementing laws and policies is called the:
Explanation: The executive is defined as the branch of government responsible for the implementation of laws and policies.
Q4. Who are collectively known as the political executive?
Explanation: Heads of government and their ministers, responsible for overall government policy, are known as the political executive.
Q5. The day-to-day administration is handled by the:
Explanation: Those responsible for day-to-day administration are called the permanent executive, which includes civil servants.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three main organs of government?
The three main organs of government are the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
What is the role of the executive in a government?
The executive is primarily responsible for implementing laws and policies adopted by the legislature and for the day-to-day administration of the government.
What is the difference between a parliamentary and a presidential executive?
In a parliamentary system, the executive and legislature are interdependent, while in a presidential system, they are generally separate.
Who comprises the political executive?
The political executive includes the head of government and their ministers, who are responsible for overall government policy.
Who are the permanent executives?
The permanent executive refers to the administrative machinery, or civil servants, who are responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the government and are not elected.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Political Science — India Constitution at Work — Chapter 4 — Indian Constitution at Work. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.