What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of President of India?

The President of India is the ceremonial head of state and an important position in the country's parliamentary democracy. Though the position is mostly symbolic, the Constitution of India assigns several crucial duties and powers to this office.

Constitutional Structure

• Head of State: The President is considered the supreme constitutional figure in India and represents the nation's unity and integrity.
• First Citizen: The President is referred to as the first citizen of India, representing the nation domestically and internationally.
• Commander-in-Chief: The President serves as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, overseeing national defence matters.
  
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Powers and Functions

The powers and functions of the President can be categorized into three main areas: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Executive Powers

• Appointment Authority: The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is typically the leader of the majority party in Lok Sabha, along with other ministers. Additionally, the President appoints governors of states, key judicial figures, and various constitutional officials.
• Administration of Union Territories: The President administers Union Territories through appointed officials and can impose President’s Rule in states when necessary.
• Executive Action: Every action of the executive part of the Government of India is in the name of the President. Moreover, he also has the power to create some rules for the smooth running of governance.

Legislative Power

• Parliament Functions: The president summons and prorogues sessions of the Parliament, dissolves the Lok Sabha and communicates by addressing both Houses at the beginning of sessions.
• Assent to Legislation: The President's approval is required for bills passed by Parliament; they can also return bills for reconsideration except in certain cases.
• Nominations: The President nominates members to both Houses of Parliament, including those with special expertise in various fields.
  
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Judicial Powers

• Pardoning Power: The President is empowered to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment under Article 72 of the Constitution. Such power acts as a check on judicial decisions.

Symbolic Role

While the President holds significant constitutional powers, their role is largely ceremonial. Real executive power resides with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The President must act according to their advice except in specific circumstances defined by law. This arrangement underscores India's status as a parliamentary democracy where the elected government exercises actual governance while maintaining a ceremonial head for state functions.

The current President of India is Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who has been in office since July 25, 2022. She was elected during the presidential election held in July 2022, where she represented the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and won with a significant majority.

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The next presidential election in India is expected to take place in July 2027, as presidential terms last for five years.

The President of India embodies a crucial constitutional role that balances ceremonial duties with significant powers across various domains. Although primarily a symbolic figure within a parliamentary framework, the office plays an essential part in ensuring governance stability and upholding constitutional integrity.

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