Absolute Veto refers to the power of the president to withhold his/her assent to the bill passed by the Parliament. Article 111 of the Indian Constitution explains the President's veto power. When a bill is submitted to the President for his assent,he has veto powers over such bills. Here the rationale behind the Veto Power is to prevent hasty and ill considered legislation to become an act.

Absolute Veto is an important topic for the UPSC IAS exam preparation.

Veto - Concept

• A "veto" typically refers to the power vested in certain individuals or bodies to reject or prohibit decisions made by others.
• In politics, it often refers to the ability of a president, governor, or other executive authority to reject a bill passed by the legislature, preventing it from becoming law.
• This power serves as a check and balance in governmental systems, ensuring that no single branch or entity has unchecked authority.
• The use of a veto can be a contentious issue, as it can lead to conflicts between branches of government and can impact the legislative process.

Types of Vetoes

There are three types of vetoes:

1. Absolute Veto
2. Suspension Veto
3. Pocket Veto

Absolute Veto of the President

The following are the facts about the Indian President's absolute veto power:

• A law never sees the light of day when the President uses his absolute veto. Even after being passed by the Indian Parliament, the bill does not become law.
• In the following two circumstances, the President exercises his absolute veto.
  • When the Parliament passes a Private member bill, the Council of Ministers can ask the President to use Absolute Veto.
  • When the president's cabinet resigns before he can sign the law. The President's new cabinet may advise him not to sign the bill passed by the outgoing cabinet.
• The President of India has previously used his absolute veto. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President of India, used it in 1954, and then President R Venkataraman used it in 1991.

Constitutional Provision

• Article 111 of the Constitution establishes principles for the exercise of the presidential veto in a variety of scenarios.
• "When a Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament, it shall be delivered to the President, and the President shall-" according to Article 111.
  • Give his approval to the Bill or veto it.
  • He refuses to say yes or no.
  • Returns the Bill (excluding the Money Bill) to Parliament with a request that it be reconsidered.

Conclusion

By using Absolute veto, the President can withhold the assent to the bill. In such cases, the bill gets rejected and it cannot become a law.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following best describes Absolute Veto?

A. Returning a bill for reconsideration
B. Withholding assent to a bill
C. Approving a bill with conditions
D. Referring the bill to the judiciary

2. When can the President of India exercise Absolute Veto?

A. On all government bills
B. On private member's bills
C. On money bills
D. On Constitutional amendment bills

3. Which of the following is not a type of veto power of the President?

A. Absolute Veto
B. Suspensive Veto
C. Pocket Veto
D. Judicial Veto

4. Which of the following bills cannot be vetoed by the President?

A. Private member's bill
B. Money bill
C. Constitutional amendment bill
D. Ordinary bill

5. Which of the following is an instance where the President can use Absolute Veto?

A. A bill that has been passed by both Houses of Parliament
B. A private member's bill passed by Parliament
C. A Constitutional amendment bill
D. A money bill

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Discuss the significance of the President's veto powers in India's parliamentary system. How does Absolute Veto differ from other veto powers?

Answer: The veto powers of the President of India, including Absolute Veto, Suspensive Veto, and Pocket Veto, are significant checks in the parliamentary system. Absolute Veto permanently prevents a bill from becoming law, and it is typically used in rare cases, such as private member's bills. In contrast, Suspensive Veto allows the President to return the bill for reconsideration, and Pocket Veto involves withholding assent without any time limit. These powers enable the President to safeguard constitutional values and ensure that the legislative process aligns with the broader interests of the country.

2. Analyze the importance of the Absolute Veto power of the President in the context of India's federal structure.

Answer: The Absolute Veto power of the President plays a key role in India's federal structure by allowing the President to prevent certain legislation from becoming law. This veto power acts as a safeguard against hasty or controversial laws, particularly in cases involving private member's bills or when there is a change in government. It ensures that legislation is not passed without thorough consideration, maintaining a balance between the executive and legislative branches and preserving the federal structure of the Indian polity.

3. How does the exercise of Absolute Veto by the President reflect the checks and balances within India's constitutional framework?

Answer: The exercise of Absolute Veto by the President reflects the system of checks and balances embedded in India's constitutional framework. While Parliament holds the legislative authority, the President, through the Absolute Veto, can reject bills that may be unconstitutional or not in the national interest. This power, along with other veto powers, ensures that there is executive oversight over the legislative process, preventing arbitrary or flawed legislation from being enacted without proper scrutiny.

Previous Year Questions on Absolute Veto

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which type of veto power allows the President of India to withhold assent to a bill and prevent it from becoming law?
A. Pocket Veto
B. Suspensive Veto
C. Absolute Veto
D. Judicial Veto

Answer: C

Explanation: Absolute Veto allows the President to withhold assent to a bill, thereby preventing it from becoming law. This power is typically used in limited cases, such as private member's bills.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 2)

Question: "The President's veto powers serve as a check on the legislative process." Discuss this statement in the context of the Indian parliamentary system.

Answer: The President's veto powers, including Absolute Veto, Suspensive Veto, and Pocket Veto, serve as critical checks on the legislative process in India. These powers allow the President to review bills passed by Parliament and either withhold assent, return them for reconsideration, or delay their enactment. This ensures that the executive has the authority to prevent hasty or flawed legislation, maintaining a balance between the legislature and executive branches in India's parliamentary system.

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