Question

Mention any one discretionary power of the president.

Answer 1

Hint:
The president of India is the ceremonial head of state of India. He is the commander in chief of the Indian armed forces. An electoral college comprising the parliament (both houses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the legislative assemblies of each of India’s states and union territories elects the president.

Complete answer:
The president of India has legislative powers, executive powers, judicial powers.
Those powers exercised by the president without the approval of other branches of government is called discretionary power.

One of the important discretionary powers of the president is to appoint the prime minister. The president usually appoints the Prime minister that person who has the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha (usually the leader of the majority party or coalition).

Additional Information:
The president also has financial powers. A money bill can be introduced in the parliament only with the President’s assent. The president lays the Annual Financial Statement i.e. the union budget, before the parliament every year.

The president also has diplomatic powers. All types of international treaties and agreements are negotiated on behalf of the president.

The president also has pardoning powers. According to Article 72 of the Indian constitution, the president can grant pardons.

Note:
The president has many discretionary powers. but he acts or takes steps according to the suggestion of the Prime minister and cabinet minister. So, the president is the nominal head of India.