Who is empowered by the Constitution of India to dissolve the Lok Sabha before expiry of its terms ?

Under Article 85(2)(b) of the Constitution of India, the President is empowered to dissolve the Lok Sabha [t2][t6]. While the President holds the formal authority to dissolve the House before the expiry of its five-year term, this power is exercised in accordance with the parliamentary principle of collective responsibility. Specifically, the President acts on the recommendation or advice of the Prime Minister [c1][c2]. This mechanism ensures that the executive (the Cabinet) can seek a fresh mandate from the electorate [c1]. Although the President has certain discretionary nuances in situations where a government loses its majority, the standard constitutional procedure for dissolution before term expiry is based on the Prime Minister's advice [t2][t3]. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has no constitutional authority to dissolve the House; their powers are limited to adjournment and presiding over sessions [t4].

Sources

1. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > DEMERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 133
2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > DEMERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 133
3. [3] https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30221286.ece