Topic Details (Notes format)

Pardoning Power of the President (Article 72)

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Allows the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remission of punishments, especially in death sentence cases or offenses under union jurisdiction. This prerogative upholds humanitarian considerations and correctional justice. Though exercised on the Council of Ministers’ advice, controversies arise when mercy petitions face political influence or indefinite delays. Judicial review is limited to checking procedural arbitrariness, not the mercy’s merits. Similarly, Governors hold pardoning powers for state offenses (Article 161). This constitutional device ensures scope for compassion in the justice system, balancing deterrence with mercy and acknowledging that rigid application of law may sometimes require humane intervention.

Practice Questions

Who was the first woman Chief Minister in India?

निर्वाचन आयोग के अध्यक्ष का चयन किसके द्वारा किया जाता है?

राज्यपाल के कर्तव्य किस अनुच्छेद में दिए गए हैं?

What is the term of office for a Governor of a state in India?

न्यायपालिका के निर्णयों की binding प्रभावशीलता किस पर आधारित है?

लोकसभा का कार्यकाल कितने वर्षों का होता है?

आपातकाल में संसद के सदनों में कितने प्रतिशत मतों की आवश्यकता होती है?

संसद कार्यवाही की समय सीमा किस अनुच्छेद में उल्लिखित है?

Who among the following was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha?

What is the minimum number of members in the Lok Sabha?