E-Paper
Constitutional role
A look into the constitutional role of the President of India.
Although the Constitution explicitly says that the President is the executive head of the state, real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.
This is inferred from Article 74 of the Indian Constitution, providing for a "... council of ministers to aid and advise the President who shall, in exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice".
The President of India swears before entering the office of the President that he shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution (Article 60), which provides for an executive head of state who is nominal or ceremonial. The powers of the President are intended to be similar to those of the British Crown, in that he would 'reign and not rule'.
