POLITICAL SYSTEM
General Information
India is a federal parliamentary republic.
The supreme legislative body is the bicameral Parliament.
Prime Minister (2025) – Narendra Modi.
The head of state and commander-in-chief of the Indian armed forces is the President (as of 2025 – Droupadi Murmu).
A multi-party system operates in the country.
Stimulating industrial production, diversifying the economy, and developing renewable energy are key directions of state policy.
Constitutional System
India is a federal parliamentary republic. The main legal act of India is the 1949 Constitution. The Constitution declares India a sovereign, democratic republic that guarantees its citizens equality, justice, and freedom.
The head of executive power is the President. He appoints the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet of ministers, as well as state governors, members of the Supreme Court and High Courts of states. The President is endowed with the right of legislative initiative, the right of veto, and the right to issue emergency decrees between parliamentary sessions that have the force of law.
The key figure in the executive power system is the Prime Minister, who heads the government (Council of Ministers). He coordinates government policy, maintains communication between the cabinet and the president, and assists the president in performing his functions. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition that won the elections to the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament).
The supreme body of legislative power in India is Parliament (Sansad). The Sansad consists of the President, as well as two chambers: the lower house - Lok Sabha, and the upper house - Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha includes 552 deputies (from each state and union territory, plus two deputies appointed by the President to represent the interests of Indians of British origin). Deputies are elected by universal popular vote. All citizens who have reached the age of 18 participate in voting, regardless of age, gender, caste, and religious beliefs. The Rajya Sabha consists of 250 deputies who are elected by members of legislative bodies of states and union territories.
The supreme body of judicial power in the country is the Supreme Court of India. This is the only court that is common to all states and union territories. Other courts, including those of higher instances, are assigned to one specific territory. The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice, as well as 17 other judges. Parliament can increase the number of judges if necessary. The Supreme Court of India is an appellate instance where citizens can appeal decisions issued by a state high court.
Labor Relations
Labor relations in India are regulated by a number of regulatory acts, such as the "Factories Act" (1948), the "Employees' State Insurance Act" (1948), the "Contract Labour Act" (1970), the "Minimum Wages Act" (1948), etc. At the same time, worker labor protection in India is at a low level. Guarantees to workers are implemented mainly through the establishment of a six-day work week and ensuring wages.
Trade Unions
Trade union activities in India are regulated by the "Trade Unions Act" of 1926. There are more than 16 thousand various trade unions in India. At the national level, 7 major trade union organizations operate:
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (33,3 mil. people);
- Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (17,1 mil. people);
- All India Trade Union Congress (14,2 mil. people);
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (9,2 mil. people);
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (5,7 mil. people);
- All India United Trade Union Centre (4,7 mil. people);
- All India Central Council of Trade Unions (2,5 mil. people).
Trade unions in India represent the interests of various parties, which is why they do not have a common political line. However, trade unions mainly fight for improving working conditions and hygiene, increasing the incomes of their members, and modernizing production.