The President of India: Powers and responsibilities

Nov 23 (IndiaToday) – The President of the Republic of India is the head of the Indian state, and commander in chief of all the Indian Armed Forces.

The President of India is indirectly elected by the directly elected members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, and the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories of India. The President of India has been granted the responsibility and authority to protect the Constitution.

Legislative powers enjoyed by the President of India

• The President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• A bill that has been passed by both the houses of the parliament can become a law only if it receives the president. (subject to limitations)
• The President of India has the power to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who have made extraordinary accomplishments in the fields of science, art, literature and social service.
• The President has the power to send a bill back to the parliament unless it is a money bill or constitutional amendment bill.

Executive power enjoyed by the President of India

• The executive powers of the country are vested with the President of India.
• The parliament can grant additional powers to the President if it deems fit and these powers can be further delegated by the president to state governors.

Appointing powers and duties of the President

• The President has the power and responsibility to appoint the Prime Minister of India.
• The President of India appoints the Chief Justice.
• The President is the appointing authority for the states and also has the power to dismiss a governor who has violated the constitution in their acts.
• Other than the posts mentioned above, the President has the power to appoint on a number of posts including, Ambassadors to other countries like, IAS, IPS, IFS, Attorney General, etcetera.

Military powers of the President

• The President of India is the commander in chief of all the Indian armed forces.
• The President has the power to declare war or conclude peace with any country on the advice of a council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
• All the treaties with any foreign countries are signed in the name of the President of India.

Power to pardon

The President of the Republic of India has the power to grant pardons if the punishment of the crime is an offence of against union law, granted by the military court or the punishment is that of death.