Powers, Duties and Functions of the President of India The President of the Republic of India is the head of state of India and the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. The President is indirectly elected by an electoral college comprising the Parliament of India (both houses) and the Legislative Assemblies of each of India’s states and territories, who themselves are all directly elected. Although the Article 53 of the Constitution of India states that the President can exercise his powers directly or by subordinate authority, with few exceptions, all of the executive powers vested in the President are, in practice, exercised by the Prime Minister with the help of the Council of Ministers. The President is bound by the constitution to act on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as long as the advice is not violating the constitution. Must Read : best earphones under 1000 Eligibility of a Presidential Candidate Article 58 of the Indian Constitutio