Discuss the discretionary powers of the …

Though required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, in certain matters the President may exercise discretion within reasonable limits. The following are the discretionary powers of the President of India:

1. The President can withhold assent to a Non-Money Bill or send it back for reconsideration.
2. There is no time limit within which the President is required to declare his assent or refusal or return the Bill for reconsideration. He can take as much time as he thinks appropriate.
3. If no political party or leader has majority support in the Lok Sabha, the President has the freedom to decide who should be appointed as Prime Minister.
4. In case the Prime Minister has lost the support of the Lok Sabha, he may, instead of tendering his resignation, ask for the dissolution of the House. The President is bound to act on the advice of the Prime Minister. He can also explore the possibility of forming an alternative government at the centre.