Which principle is reflected in government acting in the President’s name while real decisions are taken by the Council of Ministers?

Correct answer: A distinction between formal authority and real power.

Answer: A. The Constitution provides that the Union government’s formal actions are taken in the name of the President. The President is the constitutional or formal head of the Union. In the parliamentary system, however, the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister exercises real executive power and takes policy decisions, while being responsible to the Lok Sabha. This shows a difference between the office that formally represents authority and the body that normally exercises practical power. B is wrong because judicial supremacy concerns the position of courts, not executive authority. C is wrong because Governor’s rule is not the principle described here. D is unrelated to the relationship between the President and ministers. Memory cue: President represents formal authority; ministers exercise responsible real power.