Definition of the President of India
The President of India is the constitutional head of the Indian State and the first citizen of India, who represents the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation. The President functions as the formal executive authority, while the real executive powers are exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, in accordance with the Constitution of India.
In simple words:
The President of India is the symbolic head of the country who acts according to the Constitution and ensures that the government functions lawfully.
Constitutional Articles Related to the President of India (Articles 52–62)
(Part V – Union, Chapter I: The Executive)
Core Articles (Must-Remember for Exams)
| Article | Provision / Subject | Exam Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Article 52 | There shall be a President of India | Establishes the office |
| Article 53 | Executive power of the Union vested in the President | Real power exercised by Council of Ministers |
| Article 54 | Election of the President | Electoral College |
| Article 55 | Manner of election | Proportional representation, single transferable vote |
| Article 56 | Term of office (5 years) | Resignation to Vice-President |
| Article 57 | Eligibility for re-election | No term limit |
| Article 58 | Qualifications | Citizen, 35 years, Lok Sabha qualified |
| Article 59 | Conditions of office | No other office of profit |
| Article 60 | Oath or affirmation | By Chief Justice of India |
| Article 61 | Impeachment of the President | For violation of Constitution |
| Article 62 | Filling vacancy | Election within 6 months |
Articles on Powers & Functions of the President
| Article | Area | What it Deals With |
|---|---|---|
| Article 72 | Judicial powers | Power to grant pardon, reprieve, remission |
| Article 74 | Executive | Aid and advice of Council of Ministers |
| Article 75 | Executive | Appointment of Prime Minister |
| Article 76 | Executive | Appointment of Attorney General |
| Article 78 | Executive | Information to President by PM |
| Article 85 | Legislative | Summoning & dissolving Parliament |
| Article 86 | Legislative | Addressing Parliament |
| Article 111 | Legislative | Assent to Bills |
| Article 112 | Financial | Annual Financial Statement (Budget) |
| Article 123 | Legislative | Ordinance-making power |
Emergency Powers – President
| Article | Type of Emergency |
|---|---|
| Article 352 | National Emergency |
| Article 356 | State Emergency (President’s Rule) |
| Article 360 | Financial Emergency |
Flowchart: Election of the President of India
Vacancy / End of Term
↓
Election Commission of India issues notification
↓
Electoral College formed
(✓ Elected MPs of Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
✓ Elected MLAs of States & UTs with Assemblies)
↓
Value of Votes calculated
(MPs + MLAs as per population formula)
↓
Voting by Proportional Representation
(Single Transferable Vote • Secret Ballot)
↓
Counting of Votes
↓
Candidate securing Absolute Majority
(> 50% of total valid votes)
↓
Declaration of Result
↓
Oath of Office administered
(by Chief Justice of India)
Exam Pointers
- Nominated members do NOT vote
- Voting is secret ballot (exception to anti-defection law)
- Conducted by Election Commission of India
Flowchart: Impeachment of the President of India (Article 61)
Charge of Violation of Constitution
↓
Resolution initiated in either House of Parliament
↓
Notice signed by at least 1/4th members
↓
14 days prior notice to the President
↓
Resolution passed by 2/3rd majority
(of total membership of the House)
↓
Charges sent to the other House
↓
Investigation by the other House
(President has right to appear & be represented)
↓
If second House also passes resolution
(by 2/3rd majority of total membership)
↓
President removed from office
Exam Pointers
- Grounds: Violation of the Constitution
- Impeachment is a quasi-judicial process
- No court involvement
- Requires special majority in BOTH Houses
Quick Comparison (Revision Table)
| Aspect | Election | Impeachment |
|---|---|---|
| Article | 54–55 | 61 |
| Authority | Election Commission | Parliament |
| Majority | Simple majority via PR system | 2/3rd of total membership |
| Nature | Democratic | Quasi-judicial |
| Result | Assumption of office | Removal from office |
Comparison Table: President vs Prime Minister vs Governor (India)
(Exam-oriented | Ready for UPSC/SSC/State PSC)
| Aspect | President of India | Prime Minister of India | Governor (State) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Status | Constitutional Head of the Union | Real Executive Head of the Union | Constitutional Head of the State |
| Relevant Articles | Arts. 52–62, 72, 74, 85, 111, 123 | Arts. 74–75, 78 | Arts. 153–162, 163, 200, 213 |
| Method of Selection | Indirect election by Electoral College | Appointed by President; must command LS majority | Appointed by President |
| Tenure | 5 years (re-election allowed) | No fixed tenure (depends on majority) | 5 years (pleasure of President) |
| Real / Nominal Power | Nominal (acts on aid & advice) | Real power | Nominal, but has discretionary powers |
| Head of Executive | Formal head | Actual head | Formal head |
| Head of Legislature | Part of Parliament | Leader of Lok Sabha | Part of State Legislature |
| Aid & Advice | Bound by CoM advice (Art. 74) | Gives advice to President | Bound by State CoM (Art. 163), with exceptions |
| Ordinance Power | Can promulgate Union Ordinances (Art. 123) | No ordinance power | Can promulgate State Ordinances (Art. 213) |
| Emergency Role | Proclaims National/State/Financial Emergencies | Advises proclamation | Reports constitutional breakdown (Art. 356) |
| Legislative Powers | Assent/withhold/return bills; summon Parliament | Leads legislative agenda | Assent/withhold/reserve State bills |
| Judicial Powers | Pardoning power (Art. 72) | No direct judicial power | No pardoning power (recommendatory only) |
| Financial Powers | Causes Budget to be laid before Parliament | Controls budget policy | Causes State Budget to be laid |
| Discretionary Powers | Very limited | Not applicable | Significant (CM appointment, President’s Rule report) |
| Impeachment/Removal | Impeachment by Parliament (Art. 61) | Loses office on LS no-confidence | Removed by President (pleasure doctrine) |
| Accountability | Not politically accountable | Politically accountable to Lok Sabha | Not politically accountable to State Legislature |
Exam-ready one-liner (UPSC/SSC):
The President of India is the constitutional head of the State and exercises executive powers in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
The President of India is the constitutional head of the State and exercises executive powers in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
The President of India is elected indirectly by an Electoral College using proportional representation.
The President can be removed only by impeachment for violation of the Constitution.
In India, executive power is formally vested in the President and Governor, but actually exercised by the Prime Minister and Chief Minister respectively.
Indian Polity Mock Test
10 Questions | 10 Minutes | −0.33 Negative Marking