In a situation when the offices of both the President and the Vice-President are vacant simultaneously, who will discharge the functions of the President? |ForumIAS

[A] The Chief Justice of India as per Article 65 of the Constitution.

[B] The Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Presidential Elections Act.

[C] The Chief Justice of India as per the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969.

[D] None of the above as the Constitution is silent on this eventuality.

Answer: C

Notes:

Detailed Explanation:

The Constitution (Article 70) empowers Parliament to make provisions for such eventualities. Parliament enacted the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, which designates the CJI (or the senior-most judge of the SC) to act as President.