Daily Static Quiz Prelims Practice 2027
The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies plus the UTs of Delhi and Puducherry, so (b) is correct. There is no direct popular vote, ruling out (a); nominated members of Parliament and Assemblies do not participate — only elected members do, ruling out (c); and members of the State Legislative Councils are excluded from the electoral college, ruling out (d).
- The President can promulgate ordinances under Article 123 when Parliament is not in session.
- A money bill can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
- The President has the power to grant pardon, including in cases involving a sentence of death.
- The President can declare a National Emergency on his own discretion without any advice from the Council of Ministers.
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: under Article 123 the President can promulgate ordinances when a House is not in session, under Article 117 a money bill can be introduced only with the President's prior recommendation, and under Article 72 the pardoning power extends to death sentences. Statement 4 is incorrect — a National Emergency under Article 352 can be proclaimed only on the written advice of the Union Cabinet, made mandatory by the 44th Amendment, and never on the President's personal discretion.
Reason (R): The real executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, on whose aid and advice the President normally acts.
Both A and R are correct and R correctly explains A. The President is the constitutional or nominal head of State, while under Article 74 he acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, who hold the real executive power — which is precisely why the office is only titular.
- To be eligible for election as President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
- The President holds office for a term of five years and is not eligible for re-election.
Statement 1 is correct — a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years of age, and qualified for election to the Lok Sabha under Article 58. Statement 2 is incorrect — although the term is indeed five years, the President is eligible for re-election under Article 57, as Dr Rajendra Prasad's two terms demonstrate.
- The President can be removed from office through impeachment for "violation of the Constitution."
- The impeachment charge can be initiated by either House of Parliament.
- The nominated members of Parliament cannot participate in the impeachment of the President.
- The impeachment resolution must be passed by a special majority of two-thirds of the total membership of the House.
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct: under Article 61 the President can be removed by impeachment only for "violation of the Constitution", the charge may be initiated in either House of Parliament, and the resolution must be passed by a special majority of at least two-thirds of the total membership. Statement 3 is incorrect — uniquely, nominated members of Parliament do participate in the President's impeachment, even though they cannot vote in his election.
