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THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

 According to the Constitution, the president of India is the head of the state and the supreme commander of the armed forces of India. As the highest constitutional authority, the president plays a vital role in the Indian parliamentary system. He /she is the first citizen of India and the symbol of unity, integrity, and solidarity of the nation.

The role of the President:-He/she is responsible for various constitutional mandates, including the appointment of the prime minister, the appointment of governors of states, the Attorney general of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Chief election commissioner, the Chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commisssion, the Chairman of Finance Commission.

Election:-The procedure of election of the president of India is mentioned in article 55 of the Indian constitution. The president is elected by an electoral college,he/she is elected by the members of both houses of parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of state and union territories.

Eligibility:- A person must be a citizen of India,must have completed 35 years of age, and Must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok sabha.must not hold any office of profit under the Union Government or any State Government or any other public authority.

Power of the President;- The president has certain important powers like legislative powers, Executive powers, Judicial powers and Emergency powers.

Legislative Power:- The president addresses both houses of the parliament at the beginning of the first session after each general election and the first session of each year. The president can summon the parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha. He /she can summon a joint sitting of both houses of the parliament. The president nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who have special knowledge in respect of matters such as science, literature, art, and social services.

Executive powers:- All executive actions of the government of India are formally taken in his/her name.He/she appoints the prime minister and other ministers. He /she appoints key officials such as the Auditor General and the attorney General.He/she has the power of direction, coordination, and control of certain functions related to state Governments. The president is also directly responsible for the administration of Union Territories like Delhi, Puducherry etc.

Judicial powers:-The president has the authority to grant pardons, reprieves,respites or remissions of punishment under article 72 of the constitution.He /she appoints the chief justice and judges of supreme court and High courts.

Emergency powers:-In times of national emergency, the president has certain extraordinary power to deal with emergency situations. There are three types of emergency..

(i)    National Emergency (ii)    President's Rule (iii)    Financial Emergency

 National Emergency:- The president has the power to make a proclamation of emergency if there is a threat to the security of India. The president of India can declare such an emergency only on the basis of a written request by the cabinet ministers headed by the prime Minister. During National Emergency, the centre can suspend the financial provisions of the constitutions.

President's Rule:-it is also called constitutional emergency and state emergency. If the president is satisfied that the government of a state can not be carried on according to the provision of the constitution and state fails to comply with any of the directions given by the centre in the exercise of its executive power,the constitution authorises the president to make proclamation of this emergency.

Financial Emergency:-The president can declare this emergency if he /she feels that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability of the country is threatened .