Art. 78 Part V: The Union

Duties of Prime Minister as Respects the Furnishing of Information to the President, etc.

Exact text — Constitution of India

It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister—(a) to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation; (b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for; and (c) if the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives the President a genuine information channel into government decision-making — the Prime Minister must keep the President informed of Cabinet decisions and legislative proposals, and even bring a specific minister's individual decision before the full Council if the President specifically asks for that. This gives the President meaningful visibility, even though (per Article 74) they generally can't override the substance of that advice.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why the Prime Minister has a specific, ongoing constitutional duty to brief the President — ensuring the head of state stays genuinely informed about government affairs, which matters both for the President's ceremonial functions and for the rare occasions their limited independent discretion might actually come into play.

Read alongside this one

Art. 74 — Council of Ministers to Aid and Advise the President

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 78

Can the President demand to know about any government decision at any time?

Yes, broadly — clause (b) requires the Prime Minister to furnish whatever information about Union administration and legislative proposals the President calls for.

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The text above reproduces Article 78 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.