The Powers and Functions of the President of India

Executive Powers - Article 53- All executive powers of the Union are vested in him. These powers are exercised by him either directly or through subordinate officers in accordance with the Constitution. The Supreme Command of the Defence Force is vested on the President and the exercises it in accordance with law.

Executive of the Union

• Executive power of the Union is vested in the President, and is exercised by him / her either directly or through officers subordinates to President in accordance with the Constitution of India.
• The President is also the Supreme commander of defence forces of the Indian Union.
• The President summons, prorogues, addresses, sends messages to Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha, promulgates Ordinances at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, makes recommendations for introducing financial and bills and gives assent to bills, grants pardons, reprieves, respites or remission of punishment or suspends, and remits or commutes sentences in certain cases.

Procedure for amending the constitution

The procedure of amending the constitution is given in Article 368. It says that the parliament can amend the constitution under its constituent power. A bill must be presented in either house of the parliament and must be approved by a majority of each houses and not less than 2/3 majority of each house present and voting.

Fundamental Duties

By the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution, adopted in 1976, Fundamental Duties of the citizens have also been enumerated. Article 51 ‘A’ contained in Part IV A of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties. These enjoinupon a citizen among other things, to abide by the Constitution, to cherish and follow noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom, to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so and to promote harmony and spirit of common brotherhood amongst all people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities.
The Most Important Ten Fundamental Duties of Citizens in accordance with the constitution of India are listed below-

• Respect the Constitution, the national flag and the national anthem;
• Cherish the noble ideals of the freedom struggle;
• Uphold and project the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

Directive Principles of State Policy

The constitution laid down certain guidelines in the Constitution to be followed by the governments while administering the state. These guidelines are contained in Section IV of the Constitution and are known as the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Fundamental Rights

The Fundamental Rights in Indian constitution acts as a guarantee that all Indian citizens can and will live their lifes in peace as long as they live in Indian democracy. They include individual rigts common to most liberal democracies, such as equality before the law, freddom of speech and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, and the right to constitutional remedies for the protection of civil right.

Citizenship

The Indian Constitution, which came into force on 26th January 1950 provides for single citizenship for the entire country. Matters concerning Indian citizenship are contained in Articles 5 to 11 in Part II of the constitution of India.

New States in India after 1950

Andhra Pradesh - Created by the State of Andhra Pradesh Act 1953 by carving our some areas from the State of Chennai.

Gujarat and Maharashtra - The State of Bombay was divided into two States i.e. Maharashtra and Gujarat by the Mumbai (Reorganisation) Act 1960.

The Union and Its Territories

• Article 1 of the Constitution describes India as a Union of States.
• The expression ‘Union of India’ should be distinguished from the expression ‘ Territory of India’.
• The ‘Union’ includes only the states which enjoy the status of being members of the federal system and share a distribution of power with the Union , the term ‘territory of India’ includes the entire territory over which the sovereignty of India, for the time being extends. viz. (1) Union Territories and (2) such other territories as may be acquired by  India.

The Preamble of the Constitution of India

The Preamble of the Constitution of India read as follows-

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a [SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC] and to secure to all its citizens: