Question

What is meant by the discretionary power of the President of India

Answer 1

The president can declare a state of emergency in the following cases:
1)if the governor of the concerned state advices to do so.
2)if there is a constitutional breakdown in the state machinery.
This power of the President is known as discretionary power.

Answer 2

though the constitution says that the executive power shall be vested in the president ours is a parliamentary system of government . therefore the president is obliged to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers with the prime minister at the head . it is not however mean that the president is a mere figurehead. situations may arise when the president has to exercise discretion within reasonable limits.

some of the discretionary powers of the president are:-
1)the president may withhold assent to a bill or may send it back for reconsideration, if it is not a money bill.
2) when no single party gains clear majority in the lok sabha elections the president has the freedom to decide as who should be appointed as the prime minister.