President of India MCQ: Pardoning Power, Ordinances & Discretion

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.An ordinance issued by the President remains in force for how long after the reassembly of Parliament?

   • A.6 months
   • B.6 weeks✓ Correct Answer
   • C.3 months
   • D.1 year

   Explanation: An ordinance issued by the President must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its reassembly.

2. Q2.Can the President withdraw an ordinance at any time?

   • A.No, only Parliament can revoke it
   • B.Yes, but only on the advice of the Supreme Court
   • C.Yes, he can withdraw it at any time✓ Correct Answer
   • D.No, it must run its full course

   Explanation: The President can withdraw an ordinance at any time.

3. Q3.In the context of the President's pardoning power, what does 'Commutation' mean?

   • A.Removing both the sentence and the conviction
   • B.Substituting one form of punishment for a lighter form✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Reducing the period of sentence without changing its character
   • D.Staying the execution of a sentence

   Explanation: Commutation denotes the substitution of one form of punishment for a lighter form (e.g., death sentence to life imprisonment).

4. Q4.What does 'Remission' mean in terms of the President's judicial powers?

   • A.Awarding a lesser sentence due to special facts
   • B.Substituting a lighter form of punishment
   • C.Reducing the period of sentence without changing its character✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Completely absolving the convict

   Explanation: Remission implies reducing the period of sentence without changing its character (e.g., reducing rigorous imprisonment for 2 years to 1 year).

5. Q5.Which pardoning power is available to the President but NOT to the Governor?

   • A.Pardon in case of suspension of sentence
   • B.Pardon in case of court-martial✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Remission of sentence
   • D.Respite of sentence

   Explanation: The President can grant pardon in cases where the punishment is by a court-martial; the Governor does not possess this power.

6. Q6.Does the Governor have the power to pardon a death sentence?

   • A.Yes, same as the President
   • B.Yes, if the state law permits
   • C.No, only the President can pardon a death sentence✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Yes, with the President's approval

   Explanation: The President is the only authority to pardon a death sentence. The Governor can suspend, remit or commute a death sentence, but cannot pardon it.

7. Q7.According to Article 53, the executive power of the Union is vested in:

   • A.The Prime Minister
   • B.The President✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Parliament
   • D.The Council of Ministers

   Explanation: Article 53 declares that the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.

8. Q8.Which Constitutional Amendment Act made the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President?

   • A.42nd Constitutional Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
   • B.44th Constitutional Amendment Act
   • C.24th Constitutional Amendment Act
   • D.61st Constitutional Amendment Act

   Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 made the President bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

9. Q9.Does the President have 'Constitutional Discretion'?

   • A.Yes, under Article 75
   • B.Yes, under Article 78
   • C.No, he has only 'Situational Discretion'✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Yes, in all financial matters

   Explanation: The Constitution has no provision for the 'constitutional discretion' of the President. He has some 'situational discretion' (e.g., appointment of PM when no party has a clear majority).

10. Q10.Can the President exercise a veto power over a Constitutional Amendment Bill?

    • A.Yes, absolute veto
    • B.Yes, suspensive veto
    • C.No, he must give his assent✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, pocket veto

    Explanation: The 24th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971 made it obligatory for the President to give his assent to a Constitutional Amendment Bill.

11. Q11.The value of the vote of an MLA in the Presidential election is calculated based on the population of the state as per which census?

    • A.1991 Census
    • B.1981 Census
    • C.1971 Census✓ Correct Answer
    • D.2011 Census

    Explanation: The 84th Amendment Act of 2001 provided that the population of the state for the calculation of the value of votes for the Presidential election shall mean the population as ascertained at the 1971 census.

12. Q12.What happens if the election of a person as President is declared void by the Supreme Court?

    • A.Acts done by him before the date of such declaration are invalidated
    • B.Acts done by him before the date of such declaration remain valid✓ Correct Answer
    • C.He must refund all emoluments received
    • D.Parliament decides the validity of his past acts

    Explanation: If the election of a person as President is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him before the date of such declaration are not invalidated and continue to remain in force.

13. Q13.Is there any limit on the number of times a person can be elected as the President of India?

    • A.Yes, maximum 2 terms
    • B.Yes, maximum 3 terms
    • C.No, he can be elected for any number of terms✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, maximum 1 term

    Explanation: A person who holds, or has held, office as President shall, subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, be eligible for re-election to that office for any number of terms.

14. Q14.When the President resigns, to whom does the Vice-President strictly communicate this decision immediately?

    • A.The Prime Minister
    • B.The Chief Justice of India
    • C.The Speaker of the Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Election Commission

    Explanation: The resignation letter of the President is addressed to the Vice-President, who must forthwith communicate it to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

15. Q15.What is the majority required to pass an impeachment motion against the President in Parliament?

    • A.Majority of the members present and voting
    • B.Two-thirds of the members present and voting
    • C.Majority of the total membership of the House
    • D.Two-thirds of the total membership of the House✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The impeachment resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House.

16. Q16.The nomination of a candidate for election to the office of President must be subscribed by at least how many proposers and seconders?

    • A.10 proposers and 10 seconders
    • B.20 proposers and 20 seconders
    • C.50 proposers and 50 seconders✓ Correct Answer
    • D.100 proposers and 100 seconders

    Explanation: The nomination of a candidate for election to the office of President must be subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders.

17. Q17.Which of the following offices is NOT held during the pleasure of the President?

    • A.Attorney General of India
    • B.Governor of a State
    • C.Prime Minister
    • D.Comptroller and Auditor General of India✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The CAG does not hold office during the pleasure of the President. He has a fixed tenure and can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.

18. Q18.Who appoints the Inter-State Council to promote Centre-State and Inter-State cooperation?

    • A.The Parliament
    • B.The Prime Minister
    • C.The President✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Home Minister

    Explanation: The President appoints an Inter-State Council to promote Centre-state and inter-state cooperation.

19. Q19.Who administers the Union Territories?

    • A.The Prime Minister
    • B.The Home Ministry directly
    • C.The President through an administrator✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Chief Minister of the nearest state

    Explanation: The President directly administers the union territories through administrators appointed by him.

20. Q20.Which bill regarding the alteration of boundaries of a state requires the President's recommendation?

    • A.Any bill under Article 3✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Only if it involves cessation of territory
    • C.Only if the state legislature demands it
    • D.No recommendation is needed

    Explanation: A bill contemplating the alteration of boundaries of a state or changing the name of a state (Article 3) can be introduced in the Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.