Briefly explain the Discretionary Powers of the President of India.

The Discretionary Powers enjoyed by the President of India are:

1. Appointment of the Prime Minister in a situation where no single party commands the clear support of the majority of the Lok Sabha members and there is a hung Parliament. This is because the President cannot appoint the new Prime Minister on the advice of the outgoing Prime Minister who may have lost the election or the support of the House.
2. Appointment of a Prime Minister in case of sudden death of the incumbent, (for example, by assassination as in the case of Mrs. Indira Gandhi) where the ruling legislature party is unable to meet immediately to elect a leader.
3. When the ruling party who has lost majority support in the Lok Sabha or when a vote of no-confidence may have been passed against it, recommends to the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, then it is at the discretion of the President to either dissolve the House or ask another party to prove its majority on the floor of the House.
4. The President can dismiss Ministers in case the Council of Ministers loses the confidence of the House but refuses to resign.