Which article of the Indian Constitution is related to the President's power to grant pardons?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

Article 72 of the Indian Constitution explicitly grants the President the power to pardon, reprieve, respite, or remit punishments.
This power is applicable to offenses against Union laws, sentences issued by a court-martial (military court), and all cases involving a death sentence.
The President's authority to pardon a death sentence is absolute, meaning they can completely absolve the convicted person, a power not available to State Governors.

Option A: Article 161 deals with the pardoning power of the Governor of a state, not the President.
Option C: Article 70 is a provision that allows Parliament to make provisions for discharging the President's functions in any contingency not already covered by the Constitution.
Option D: Article 61 outlines the specific and quasi-judicial procedure for the impeachment (removal) of the President from office for violation of the Constitution.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Powers of the President of India under the Constitution as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the separation of powers and the specific roles of the executive heads (President and Governor) is fundamental to civic literacy and comprehending the legal framework of the country.
For professionals in fields like law, administration, and even forensic nursing, knowing these articles is crucial for understanding the final stages of the judicial process and the scope of executive clemency.
What if the question was about the Governor's inability to pardon a specific type of sentence? The answer would then point to the limitations under Article 161, specifically regarding death sentences and court-martial verdicts, which are exclusive domains of the President.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Indian Constitution', 'President's power', and 'grant pardons'.
This is a factual recall question based on constitutional articles. You need to have knowledge of the specific articles related to the powers of the President.
Evaluate each option. Article 72 is directly associated with the President's pardoning power.
Differentiate it from similar articles. Article 161 is a common distractor as it relates to the Governor's pardoning power.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their functions: Article 61 (Impeachment) and Article 70 (Discharge of functions in contingencies) are unrelated to pardons.
Confirm your answer by selecting the article that specifically addresses the President's authority to pardon.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QT6W3wZUahwXTmGj_85kTW

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.