With reference to the special address of the President of India, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1). The President addresses the joint meeting of both houses of Parliament at the commencements of the first session after each general election of the house of the people and at the commencement of the first session of each year. 2). The President in his address informs the Parliament of the causes of its summons. Select the correct answer using the codes given below. Codes :

Both statements are correct, so the answer is C. The provision sits in Article 87, which deals with the Special Address of the President.

Statement 1 is correct. Article 87(1) says the President addresses both Houses assembled together at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the House of the People, and at the commencement of the first session of each year. The address is a constitutional duty, not a formality.

Statement 2 is correct. Article 87(2) requires the President to inform Parliament of the causes of its summons. This is why the address typically lays out the government's legislative agenda and policy direction.

The core concept is the President as a constitutional head who speaks to Parliament on the government's behalf. For Mains, it links to the debate on the ceremonial versus functional role of the President under the Westminster-style parliamentary system.

Trap: Aspirants often confuse the Special Address under Article 87 with the Money Bill or Ordinance powers, or assume the address is given only once a year. It is given at both points listed in statement 1.