Question

Under what circumstances can the President of India use his discretionary powers?

Answer 1

President of India can act on his discretion without the aid and advice of the ministers under the following situations:

1. Appointment of Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha or when the Prime Minister dies in office suddenly and there is no obvious successor.

2. Dismissal of the council of ministers when it cannot prove the confidence of Lok Sabha.

3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha if the council of ministers has lost its majority.