Powers of President Practice Questions
20 free Powers of President practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the President of India grant pardon, reprieve, respite or remission of punishment?
- A Article 52
- B Article 72
- C Article 123
- D Article 143
Correct answer: Article 72
Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons and other forms of relief to persons convicted of any offence in cases where the punishment is by a Court Martial or for an offence against a Union law. This power is independent of the judiciary and is an executive power.
The President can promulgate an ordinance when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session under which Article?
- A Article 110
- B Article 112
- C Article 123
- D Article 352
Correct answer: Article 123
Article 123 provides the President with legislative power to issue ordinances during the recess of Parliament. Such an ordinance has the same force as an Act of Parliament but must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly.
Which of the following Veto powers is NOT available to the President of India?
- A Absolute Veto
- B Suspensive Veto
- C Pocket Veto
- D Qualified Veto
Correct answer: Qualified Veto
Qualified Veto, which can be overridden by the legislature with a higher majority, is a feature of the American Presidency. The Indian President possesses Absolute, Suspensive, and Pocket Vetoes.
Who has the power to declare a 'Scheduled Area' and provide for its administration?
- A The Prime Minister
- B The Parliament
- C The President of India
- D The Governor of the respective State
Correct answer: The President of India
The President is empowered to declare an area as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The President also has the authority to increase or decrease the area of such designated regions.
The President of India can refer any question of law or fact of public importance to the Supreme Court for its opinion under:
- A Article 131
- B Article 143
- C Article 148
- D Article 76
Correct answer: Article 143
Article 143 grants the President the 'Advisory Jurisdiction' to seek the Supreme Court's opinion. The Court may provide its opinion, but such advice is not binding on the President.
Which of the following appointments is NOT made by the President of India?
- A Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- B Chief Election Commissioner
- C Solicitor General of India
- D Chairman of UPSC
Correct answer: Solicitor General of India
While the President appoints the Attorney General of India under Article 76, the Solicitor General of India is a statutory appointment made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The other listed posts are constitutional appointments made by the President.
What is the prior recommendation of the President required for in the context of the Parliament?
- A Introduction of a Money Bill in Lok Sabha
- B Introduction of an Ordinary Bill
- C Introduction of a Constitutional Amendment Bill
- D Moving a No-Confidence Motion
Correct answer: Introduction of a Money Bill in Lok Sabha
A Money Bill (Article 110) cannot be introduced in the Lok Sabha without the prior recommendation of the President. This is because the President is the head of the executive and responsible for the financial management of the Union.
The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Defense Forces. This power is exercised subject to:
- A Law made by the Parliament of India
- B The discretion of the Chief of Defense Staff
- C The advice of the Chief Justice of India
- D The will of the Rajya Sabha
Correct answer: Law made by the Parliament of India
Although Article 53(2) designates the President as the Supreme Commander, the exercise of this power is regulated by law. This means the Parliament has the authority to regulate or limit the President's military powers.
How many members does the President nominate to the Rajya Sabha?
- A 2
- B 10
- C 15
- D 12
Correct answer: 12
Under Article 80, the President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. This ensures the representation of eminent experts in the legislature.
The 'Financial Emergency' can be declared by the President under which Article?
- A Article 352
- B Article 356
- C Article 365
- D Article 360
Correct answer: Article 360
Article 360 empowers the President to declare a Financial Emergency if the financial stability or credit of India is threatened. During such an emergency, the President can issue directions for the reduction of salaries of government employees.
The President of India can withhold his assent to a Bill passed by both houses. This is known as:
- A Pocket Veto
- B Suspensive Veto
- C Interim Veto
- D Absolute Veto
Correct answer: Absolute Veto
Absolute Veto refers to the power of the President to withhold his assent to a bill, which then ends the life of the bill. This is usually exercised with respect to private members' bills or when a cabinet resigns.
In the event of the 'Failure of Constitutional Machinery' in a state, the President can assume the functions of the State Government under:
- A Article 356
- B Article 352
- C Article 360
- D Article 370
Correct answer: Article 356
Article 356, popularly known as President's Rule, allows the President to take over the administration of a state on the report of the Governor or otherwise. This occurs when the state government cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Which report is NOT laid by the President before the Parliament?
- A Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
- B Report of the Finance Commission
- C Report of the National Commission for SCs
- D Report of the State Election Commission
Correct answer: Report of the State Election Commission
The President lays reports of Union bodies (CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission) before the Parliament. The State Election Commission's report is handled at the state level by the Governor and the State Legislature.
The 'Pocket Veto' of the Indian President is considered 'larger' than that of the American President because:
- A The Constitution prescribes no time limit for presidential assent.
- B The Indian President can keep a bill for 10 days only.
- C The Indian President can reject any bill permanently without recourse.
- D The American President cannot reject a bill.
Correct answer: The Constitution prescribes no time limit for presidential assent.
In the US, the President must return a bill within 10 days. Since the Indian Constitution prescribes no time limit for the President to give or withhold assent, he can keep a bill on his desk indefinitely, effectively exercising a Pocket Veto.
Which type of pardon by the President involves reducing the period of sentence without changing its character?
- A Remission
- B Commutation
- C Respite
- D Reprieve
Correct answer: Remission
Remission implies reducing the quantum of a sentence (e.g., rigorous imprisonment for 2 years to 1 year) without changing its nature. Commutation, by contrast, substitutes a lighter form of punishment for a harsher one.
The President can declare a National Emergency on the grounds of 'Armed Rebellion' only on the written recommendation of:
- A The Union Cabinet of India
- B The Prime Minister
- C The Chief of Army Staff
- D The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: The Union Cabinet of India
The 44th Amendment Act introduced the safeguard that the President can only declare a National Emergency after receiving a written recommendation from the Union Cabinet (ministers of cabinet rank). This prevents the unilateral exercise of emergency powers.
Who represents the Government of India in all cases in the Supreme Court where the Union is a party?
- A The President of India
- B The Chief Justice of India
- C The Union Minister of Law and Justice
- D The Attorney General of India
Correct answer: The Attorney General of India
The Attorney General, appointed by the President under Article 76, is the chief legal advisor to the government. He appears on behalf of the Government of India in the Supreme Court and High Courts as directed by the President.
When the President returns a bill for reconsideration (Suspensive Veto), what happens if Parliament passes the bill again with or without amendments?
- A The President must give his assent to the bill.
- B The President can reject it again.
- C The bill is sent to the Supreme Court for validation.
- D The bill lapses automatically.
Correct answer: The President must give his assent to the bill.
If the Parliament repasses the bill by a simple majority, the President is constitutionally bound to give his assent. This signifies that the President's veto is suspensive rather than absolute in the case of ordinary legislation.
The President's power to grant 'Respite' means:
- A Complete acquittal of the convicted person
- B Awarding a lesser sentence for special reasons
- C Temporary stay of execution of a death sentence
- D Reducing the sentence based on good behavior
Correct answer: Awarding a lesser sentence for special reasons
Respite denotes awarding a lesser sentence than the one originally awarded due to some special fact, such as the physical disability of a convict or the pregnancy of a woman offender.
Which of the following is an Executive Power of the President?
- A Summoning a joint sitting of Parliament
- B Appointing the Prime Minister and ministers
- C Granting pardons to criminals
- D Laying the Annual Financial Statement (Budget)
Correct answer: Appointing the Prime Minister and ministers
The appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers is a core executive power. Summoning Parliament is a legislative power, and granting pardons is a judicial (clemency) power of the President.