Question

Which of the following powers is not vested in the President of India under Article 85 of the Constitution of India?

• A. He may summon either House of Parliament;
• B. He may prorogue either House of Parliament;
• C. He may dissolve the House of People;
• D. He may adjourn either House of Parliament;

Hint:

Easy way to remember: Big actions (Summon, Prorogue, Dissolve) = President. Daily operational actions (Adjourn) = Presiding Officer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Identify powers of the President under Article 85.
Article 85 of the Indian Constitution grants the President the power to: (a) summon each House of Parliament to meet, (b) prorogue (discontinue a session of) the Houses, and (c) dissolve the Lok Sabha before the expiry of its term.
Step 2: Identify what is NOT in Article 85.
Adjournment means temporarily suspending a sitting of the House to a later time or date; this is a procedural power that belongs to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or the Chairman (Rajya Sabha), and is NOT a presidential power under Article 85.
Step 3: Apply and conclude.
Summon, prorogue, and dissolve are all listed Presidential powers; adjournment is the presiding officer's power - making "Adjourn" the power NOT vested in the President, and option (4) the correct answer.
\[ \boxed{\text{Adjourn}} \]