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Indian Polity & Constitution›Ch 3: Union Government›Powers of the President

3.2

Powers of the President

5 min

Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Diplomatic, Military & Veto Powers

1

Golden Rule of President's Powers

The President of India is the executive head of the Union, exercising executive, legislative, financial, judicial, diplomatic, and military powers as per the Constitution.

2

Why This Topic Matters

  • Direct questions on Article 72 and Article 123 in SSC and Railways.
  • High-yield conceptual clarity needed for UPSC and State PSC exams.
  • Frequent confusions in veto powers and ordinance-making authority.

Smart Memory Hooks

  • Article 72 = 7+2 = 9 (Pardoning = Nine letters? Just remember 72 is Pardon!)
  • Article 123 = 1, 2, 3 sequence for Ordinance (Law making instantly!).
  • Veto types: Absolute, Suspensive, Pocket (ASP - like a snake's hiss).
3

Classification of President's Powers

Power TypeKey Constitutional ProvisionCore Function / Scope
ExecutiveArticle 53, 77Appoints PM, Ministers, Governors, CAG
LegislativeArticle 85, 111Summons Parliament, assents bills, vetoes
FinancialArticle 112, 117Prior recommendation for Money Bills
JudicialArticle 72, 143Pardoning power & Supreme Court reference
4

Key Powers Visualised

Article 72

(Pardoning Power)

Article 72: Pardoning Power

Pardoning Power

Constitution[ ART. 72 ]

Can pardon death sentences in criminal cases.

Article 123

(Ordinance Power)

Article 123: Ordinance Power

Ordinance Power

Constitution[ ART. 123 ]

Promulgates laws when Parliament is not in session.

Pocket Veto

(No Action Taken)

Pocket Veto: No Action Taken

No Action Taken

Year[ 1986 ]

Bill kept pending indefinitely (e.g., Zail Singh, 1986).

Military

(Supreme Commander)

Military: Supreme Commander

Supreme Commander

Commands Army, Navy, and Air Force of India.

5

Exam Traps & Pitfalls

President can pardon court martial.President CAN pardon court martial.

Unlike the Governor, the President CAN pardon punishments by a court martial.

Ordinance is permanent law.Ordinance has temporary life.

An ordinance must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly.

President has absolute veto on money bills.President cannot veto money bills.

Money bills can either be given assent or withheld; they cannot be returned for reconsideration.

6

Test Your Knowledge

Q1.Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances?

Q2.Which of the following pardoning powers involves substituting a lighter punishment for a harsher one?

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