Which of the following Articles empowers the President to grant pardon?

Concept

Constitutional Articles assign defined powers and duties to public offices. For an Article-based question, identify the office, the nature of the power, and the constitutional context before matching the number.

Nearby Articles may concern the same office but regulate different relationships or functions, so the subject of each provision is the decisive distinction.

Application

The stem asks about the President’s constitutional clemency power. Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in the cases specified by that Article.

Contrast

• Article 74 concerns the Council of Ministers that aids and advises the President.

• Article 78 states the Prime Minister’s duties regarding communication of information to the President.

• Article 80 concerns the composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

Cross-check

In the official constitutional text, Article 72 is placed in Part V, Chapter I on the Union Executive and expressly states the President’s clemency power. This directly matches the power named in the stem.

Result: Article 72.