The President is the head of the State and exercises his / her powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. With reference to this, answer the following questions:

(i) What are the three types of emergencies that can be proclaimed by the President?

(ii) Mention any three legislative powers of the President.

(iii) Give any two reasons to justify the need for indirect election of the President. What is the composition of the Electoral College which elects the President?

(i) An Emergency is "a sudden or unforeseen situation demanding immediate action." It is a situation in which the Head of State assumes extraordinary powers. The President can proclaim a state of Emergency in the following cases:

1. National or General Emergency: There is a danger of foreign aggression or danger to the peace and security of the country because of a civil war, insurgency or any other such cause (Article 352).

2. Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery: The Constitutional machinery in a State has broken down or there is a deadlock because of political uncertainties or otherwise (Article 356).

3. Financial Emergency: A set-back to the financial stability or credit feasibility of the country is likely to occur or has occurred (Article 360).

(ii) Three legislative powers of the President are:

1. Dissolve the Lok Sabha: He/She can dissolve the Lok Sabha and order fresh elections.

2. Assent to Bills: Once a Bill is passed by both the Houses, it is sent to the President for his/her approval. The President may give his/her assent, or withhold the Bill or send it back to the House concerned with recommendations. If the same bill is passed again, the President has to give his/her assent.

3. Promulgate Ordinances: The President can promulgate an Ordinance, which has the same status as an Act of Parliament when:

   1. Certain circumstances need immediate action.
   2. Both Houses of Parliament are not in session.
   3. All Ordinances must be put up before both the Houses for their approval. Ordinances cease to operate after six weeks from the re-assembly of Parliament, unless they are approved by the Houses.
   4. The Ordinance lapses if it is replaced by an Act of Parliament.

(iii) The President is elected by indirect elections because of the following reasons:

1. If the President were to be elected directly by the people, he could become a rival centre of power to the Council of Ministers. This would be against the parliamentary system with ministerial responsibility.
2. Since the membership in the two Houses of Parliament was likely to be dominated by one party, election of the President merely by a majority of members of the Union Parliament could make him a nominee of the ruling party like the Prime Minister. Such a President could not represent the constituent States of the Union.

COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

The President is elected indirectly by the members of an Electoral College consisting of:

1. the elected members of both Houses of Parliament.

2. the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States including National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Nominated members of Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies are not eligible to be included in the Electoral college.