Art. 70 Part V: The Union

Discharge of President's Functions in Other Contingencies

Exact text — Constitution of India

Parliament may make such provision as it thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the President in any contingency not provided for in this Chapter.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

A flexible catch-all Article — it lets Parliament legislate for genuinely unforeseen situations not specifically covered by the detailed vacancy/absence rules in Articles 65 and elsewhere, ensuring there's always a legal mechanism to keep the presidency functioning no matter what unusual contingency might arise.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is a safety-valve provision — while the Constitution's detailed provisions cover the common scenarios (death, resignation, removal, temporary absence), this Article ensures Parliament has residual power to address any genuinely novel situation the framers might not have specifically anticipated.

Read alongside this one

Art. 65 — The Vice-President to Act as President or Discharge His Functions

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 70

Has Parliament ever actually needed to use this residual power?

This provision exists primarily as a safeguard; the detailed provisions elsewhere (particularly Article 65) have generally proven sufficient to cover the contingencies that have actually arisen in India's constitutional history.

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The text above reproduces Article 70 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.