Nominal executive
Also called: Constitutional head, Titular head, De jure executive, Titular executive · Topic: Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 10 "Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance"; Class 8, Ch 6 "The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive"; Class 11, Ch 4 "Executive"
Meaning
The nominal executive is the head of state. Executive power (the power to run the government) is used in this person's name, but they act on the advice of ministers. That is why the post is also called the constitutional, titular or de jure head: the head "in law" or in name. In India, Art. 53 vests the Union's executive power in the President. But Art. 74 makes the President act on the "aid and advice" of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM. After the 42nd Amendment (1976), that advice is binding.
Example
India's President and the British monarch are both nominal executives. Every Union government action is taken in the President's name (Art. 77), but the Cabinet takes the decision. Ambedkar called the President "head of the State but not of the Executive".
Don't confuse with
- Real executive: the PM and Council of Ministers, who actually decide and use the power.
- Permanent executive: civil servants who run daily administration. They are not heads of state.
Related concepts
- Presidential system
- Parliamentary system
- Semi-presidential executive
- Executive presidency of Sri Lanka
- Real executive