Relationship with President — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
President Murmu's Role in University Appointments and Academic Governance
March 2024President Droupadi Murmu's involvement in central university appointments has highlighted the evolving dynamics of the PM-President relationship in academic governance. As the Visitor of central universities, the President's role in appointing Vice-Chancellors and other academic officials involves consultation with the Prime Minister and the Education Ministry. Recent controversies over university appointments have brought attention to how the President exercises formal powers while working within the framework of government policy. This demonstrates the practical application of Article 74's aid and advice provision in contemporary governance, where the President's ceremonial role intersects with substantive policy implementation. The issue also reflects the broader challenge of maintaining institutional autonomy while ensuring accountability in higher education governance.
UPSC Angle: Expected questions on the President's role as Visitor of universities, the balance between constitutional authority and government policy, and the application of aid and advice provisions in educational governance. May appear in questions about institutional autonomy and constitutional roles.
Ordinance Route and Presidential Assent During Parliamentary Recess
August 2024The increasing use of ordinances by the government has brought the President's role under Article 123 into sharp focus, highlighting the PM-President relationship in legislative matters. Recent ordinances on various policy matters demonstrate how the President's formal power to promulgate ordinances operates within the framework of ministerial advice. The President's role in assessing the immediate necessity for ordinances involves consultation with the Prime Minister and legal advisors, showing how constitutional provisions work in practice. This trend raises questions about the balance between executive efficiency and legislative oversight, with the President serving as a constitutional check while generally acting on the Prime Minister's advice. The issue also highlights the evolution of governance practices in contemporary India's complex political landscape.
UPSC Angle: Likely to be tested through questions about Article 123, the President's legislative powers, the ordinance-making process, and the balance between executive and legislative authority. May appear in both Prelims and Mains focusing on constitutional provisions and contemporary governance challenges.
Digital Governance and Presidential Assent to Technology Bills
December 2023The passage of digital governance and technology-related legislation has showcased the PM-President relationship in the context of modern governance challenges. The President's role in giving assent to bills related to digital India initiatives, data protection, and cybersecurity demonstrates how traditional constitutional relationships adapt to contemporary policy needs. The consultation process between the Prime Minister and President on complex technical legislation highlights the importance of Article 78's communication requirements in ensuring informed decision-making. This development shows how the PM-President relationship evolves to address new governance challenges while maintaining constitutional propriety and democratic accountability.
UPSC Angle: Expected in questions about digital governance, the President's role in legislative processes, and the adaptation of constitutional mechanisms to contemporary challenges. Relevant for both technology-focused questions and constitutional governance topics.