An Executive Order is a formal, written directive issued by the President of the United States that manages the operations of the federal government. It is an act of the executive branch, not a law passed by the legislature. The concept's origin is rooted in Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which vests the President with broad executive power and the obligation to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed". This authority allows the President to instruct federal agencies on how to implement existing statutes or manage resources.
The mechanism of an Executive Order is that it is binding only on the federal government's executive branch and is published in the Federal Register to be publicly accessible. It does not require legislative approval to take effect. However, it is subject to judicial review and can be invalidated by courts if it is found to lack support from a statute or the Constitution. This connects the Executive Order to the U.S. constitutional principle of separation of powers. Executive Orders remain in force until they are canceled, revoked, or adjudicated unlawful, and a new President frequently reviews and may revoke or amend orders issued by a predecessor. In the Indian context, the term is not a formal, single concept; similar executive actions are carried out through various "Executive Instruments" like Government Orders (GOs), Rules, and Regulations, which are often delegated legislation to implement a law passed by Parliament.