Part V · The President and Vice-President
Article 53 Executive power of the Union.
This article vests the executive power of the Union in the President. It is exercised directly or through officers subordinate to the President, in accordance with the Constitution. The supreme command of the defence forces also rests with the President, and law regulates its use.
- (1) The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.
- (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union shall be vested in the President and the exercise thereof shall be regulated by law.
- (3) Nothing in this article shall— (a) be deemed to transfer to the President any functions conferred by any existing law on the Government of any State or other authority; or (b) prevent Parliament from conferring by law functions on authorities other than the President.
What it means
Plain words summary of the article above. Not legal advice.
This article vests the executive power of the Union in the President. It is exercised directly or through officers subordinate to the President, in accordance with the Constitution. The supreme command of the defence forces also rests with the President, and law regulates its use. The article does not shift functions that existing law gives to states or other authorities. Parliament may still confer functions on other authorities.