Legislative Powers of the President of India

The President is an integral part of the Parliament, and enjoys the following legislative powers -

(i) The President summons the Houses of Parliament at least twice a year, prorogues either House of Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sahba.

(ii) He nominates twelve members to the Rajya Sabha and may nominate two representatives of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha

(iii) He may address either House separately or both the Houses jointly. He may also send messages to either House of Parliament. At the commencement of the first session of Parliament, the President delivers and address corresponding to the Queens Speech from the Throne in the British Parliament.

(iv) Every Bill passed by Parliament must receive the President’s assent before it can becomes an Act. The President may give his assent or withhold his assent or return it for reconsideration by Parliament with his own suggestions, a Bill other than a Money or Constitutional Amendment Bill. But if a Bill is passed again by both the House of Parliament with or without the amendments suggested by the President, the President is bound to give his assent to it.

(v) The President makes certain reports and statements to be laid before the Parliament. It is the duty of the President to cause to be laid before Parliament-

a. the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) and the Supplementary Statement.

b. the reports of the Auditor-General relating to the accounts of the Government of India.

c. the recommendations made by the Finance Commission.

d. the report of the Union Public Commission, explaining the reasons where any advice of the 

Commission has not been accepted.

e. the report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

f. the report of the Commission on the backward classes.

g. the report of the Special Officer for linguistic minorities.

(vi) Certain Bills, for example, a Bill for the formation of new States or alternation of boundaries of a State, a Money Bill, a Financial Bill needs the President’s recommendation for introduction in the Parliament.