Q. Which article of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to commute death sentences?
Answer: Article 72
Notes: Article 72 of the Indian Constitution grants the President the authority to commute death sentences, as well as to grant pardons and suspend or remit sentences. This power is exercised after convicts submit mercy petitions. In contrast, Article 161 allows Governors to grant pardons but does not include death sentence commutation, which remains exclusive to the President.