The Indian Constitution provides
for a central government with extensive powers and responsibilities. The
central government, also known as the Union government, is responsible for
matters of national importance, such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency,
as listed in the Union List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
The President of India is the head of the central
government, while the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers,
which exercises the real executive power. The Parliament of India, which is
composed of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of
States), is responsible for making laws on subjects in the Union List.
The central government is responsible for the
administration of subjects in the Union List, including matters related to
defense, foreign affairs, communication, railways, and inter-state trade and
commerce. The central government is also responsible for ensuring the
implementation of national policies and programs, such as poverty alleviation
programs, and for promoting economic growth and development.
The Constitution provides for a number of
mechanisms to ensure the accountability of the central government to the people
of India. The Parliament of India, through its committees and question hour,
holds the government accountable for its policies and actions. The judiciary,
which is independent of the government, has the power of judicial review and
can strike down any laws or actions of the government that are deemed
unconstitutional.
Overall, the central government provisions in the
Indian Constitution are designed to ensure a strong and effective central
government that can address matters of national importance and promote the welfare
and development of the country, while also ensuring accountability and checks
and balances to prevent abuse of power.