The Contingency Fund of India is placed at the disposal of which constitutional authority to meet unforeseen expenditure?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the topic of public finance and the Indian Constitution. The Contingency Fund of India is a special fund meant for meeting unforeseen expenditures that cannot wait for the completion of normal budgetary procedures. Understanding who has authority over this fund is important for comprehending emergency financial powers within the system.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The fund in question is the Contingency Fund of India.
• It is used for urgent and unforeseen expenditure.
• The options name several high level authorities and institutions.

Concept / Approach:
The Contingency Fund of India is established by the Parliament under Article 267 of the Constitution. The Fund stands at the disposal of the President of India, who can authorise advances from it to meet unexpected expenditure pending authorisation by Parliament through regular Appropriation Acts. The actual custody and operation may involve the Finance Ministry, but constitutionally the Fund is placed at the disposal of the President.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Article 267 provides for the Contingency Fund of India. Step 2: Remember that the Fund is described as being at the disposal of the President of India. Step 3: Compare this recall with the options: Prime Minister, President, Comptroller and Auditor General and Home Ministry. Step 4: Note that only the President matches the constitutional description. Step 5: Select President of India as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling standard polity explanations: expenditure is initially met from the Contingency Fund with the President's authorisation, and later Parliament votes to replenish the Fund through the budget process. The Prime Minister heads the government but does not personally hold the Fund, and the Comptroller and Auditor General audits expenditure rather than operating funds.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Prime Minister of India) is incorrect because the Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers but does not have constitutional custody of the Contingency Fund.
Option C (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) is wrong because this office is responsible for auditing government accounts and ensuring legality of expenditure, not for directly operating emergency funds.
Option D (Ministry of Home Affairs) deals with internal security and administration and has no special constitutional status over the Contingency Fund.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the practical role of the Finance Ministry and cabinet decisions with the formal constitutional wording that the Fund is at the disposal of the President. Another pitfall is to assume that the Prime Minister, as head of government, controls all financial instruments, which is not how the Constitution describes this specific fund.

Final Answer:
The Contingency Fund of India is placed at the disposal of the President of India to meet unforeseen expenditure pending parliamentary approval.