President of India: Powers and Functions 🇮🇳🏛️

The President of India is the constitutional head of the state and the supreme commander of the armed forces. As per the parliamentary system, the President exercises powers on the advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister (except in certain discretionary cases).

📜 Relevant Articles → Articles 52–78 in the Indian Constitution.

1. Executive Powers 👔

These powers relate to the administration, appointments, and governance of the country.

🔹 Head of the Union Government → All executive actions of the Government of India are done in the President’s name.

🔹 Appoints key officials:

• Prime Minister (leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha).

• Council of Ministers (on the advice of the PM).

• Governors of States.

• Chief Justice & Judges of the Supreme Court & High Courts.

• Attorney General of India.

• Chief Election Commissioner & Election Commissioners.

• Chairman & members of UPSC, Finance Commission, etc.
  
  🔹 Administers Union Territories → The President directly governs Union Territories through Lieutenant Governors or Administrators.

2. Legislative Powers 📜

These powers relate to the Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha).

🔹 Summons, Prorogues, and Dissolves Parliament → The President:

• Calls the sessions of Parliament.

• Dissolves the Lok Sabha when needed.
  
  🔹 Addresses Parliament → At the start of every new Parliament session, the President gives an address outlining government policies.
  
  🔹 Nominates Members:

• 12 members to Rajya Sabha (from arts, literature, science, and social service).

• 2 Anglo-Indian members to Lok Sabha (if the community lacks representation; removed by the 104th Amendment in 2019).
  
  🔹 Gives Assent to Bills →

• Ordinary Bill: Can approve, return for reconsideration, or withhold assent.

• Money Bill: Cannot be rejected; must be signed.

• Constitutional Amendment Bill: Must be signed without discretion.

3. Financial Powers 💰

These powers relate to the economy and government finances.

🔹 Annual Budget Presentation → The Union Budget is laid before Parliament only with the President’s approval.

🔹 Money Bills → Can be introduced in Parliament only with the President’s recommendation.

🔹 Financial Emergency (Article 360) → The President can declare a Financial Emergency in case of financial instability.

4. Judicial Powers ⚖️

🔹 Appoints Judges → The President appoints Chief Justice & Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

🔹 Pardoning Power (Article 72) → The President can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment.

🛑 Types of Pardons:

1. Pardon – Complete removal of punishment.

2. Commutation – Changing a severe punishment to a lesser one.

3. Remission – Reducing the sentence duration.

4. Respite – Reducing punishment due to special circumstances (e.g., disability).

5. Reprieve – Temporary delay in execution.

5. Military Powers ⚔️

🔹 Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces → The President is the head of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

🔹 Declares War & Peace → The President can declare war or peace on the advice of the government.

🔹 Appoints Chiefs of the Armed Forces → Army, Navy, and Air Force Chiefs are appointed by the President.

6. Emergency Powers 🚨

The President has extraordinary powers during emergencies (Articles 352, 356, 360).

🔹 National Emergency (Article 352) → Due to war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.

🔹 State Emergency (Article 356) → If a state government fails to function, President’s Rule is imposed.

🔹 Financial Emergency (Article 360) → If the financial stability of the country is threatened.

7. Diplomatic Powers 🌍

🔹 Represents India in Foreign Affairs → All international agreements and treaties are signed in the President’s name (but need parliamentary approval).

🔹 Appoints Indian Ambassadors to other countries.

🔹 Receives Foreign Ambassadors & Diplomats.

8. Discretionary Powers (Without Ministerial Advice) 🏛️

While most powers are exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President can act independently in some cases:

🔹 Can ask the Prime Minister to prove majority in the Lok Sabha if the government’s stability is doubtful.

🔹 Can refuse to sign an unconstitutional Bill (Pocket Veto).

🔹 Can send a Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration (except a Money Bill).

Limitations on the President’s Powers 🚫

🔸 Has to follow the advice of the Prime Minister & Council of Ministers (Article 74).

🔸 Cannot act independently in most matters.

🔸 Decisions can be challenged in the Supreme Court if unconstitutional.