The President of India can authorise advances of money to meet unforeseen and urgent expenditure from which specific fund of the Government of India?

Introduction / Context:
Indian polity questions often test understanding of the three main funds of the Government of India and their constitutional roles. When an emergency or unforeseen expenditure arises, money may need to be drawn quickly before Parliament formally votes on it. This question asks from which fund the President can authorise such advances, highlighting the practical working of constitutional provisions on government finance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The context is the Union government of India.
• There is a need to meet unforeseen and urgent expenditure.
• The authority involved is the President of India.
• The options include several government funds and financial sources.
• Only one of these is constitutionally meant for such advances.

Concept / Approach:
The Constitution of India recognises three main funds at the Union level: the Consolidated Fund of India, the Contingency Fund of India, and the Public Account of India. Ordinary government expenditure is charged on or voted from the Consolidated Fund, while the Contingency Fund is specifically intended for urgent, unforeseen expenditure. This fund is placed at the disposal of the President, who can authorise advances to be later recouped after parliamentary approval. The Public Account mainly holds money like provident funds and small savings, which does not belong to government as its own revenue.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Contingency Fund of India is created under Article 267.Step 2: This fund is placed at the disposal of the President to meet unforeseen expenditure pending authorisation by Parliament.Step 3: Expenditure met from this fund is later recouped from the Consolidated Fund of India once Parliament passes an appropriation act.Step 4: The Consolidated Fund itself cannot be drawn upon without prior parliamentary sanction except in such temporary advances through the Contingency Fund mechanism.Step 5: Therefore, the correct fund identified in the question is the Contingency Fund of India.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard polity texts clearly specify that the President can authorise advances from the Contingency Fund of India. No such power is described for grants of the central government, generic aid, or amounts held in the Public Account. Linking the keywords unforeseen expenditure, advances, and President with Article 267 confirms that the Contingency Fund is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: The Consolidated Fund of India is the main fund for revenues and expenditure but cannot be used for ad hoc advances without parliamentary approval.Option B: Grants of the central government is a vague phrase and not a constitutionally defined fund.Option C: Aid from the Union government is also not a specific fund or mechanism recognised for this purpose.Option E: The Public Account of India contains funds held in trust for others and is not meant for meeting government expenditure on an emergency basis.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse the Consolidated Fund with the Contingency Fund because both are part of Union finances. Another common error is thinking that any urgent expenditure can simply be taken from the Consolidated Fund without understanding the role of parliamentary control. To avoid such mistakes, remember that the Contingency Fund provides temporary advances, while the Consolidated Fund bears final expenditure after legislative approval.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Contingency Fund of India.