The President of India is the head of state, supreme commander of the armed forces and the first citizen. Also, the president of India acts as the guardian of the Constitution, ensuring that all actions of the government align with constitutional values.
The President of India is the highest authority in the country and plays a very important role in maintaining the balance and dignity of the nation’s democratic system. The President of India is responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, governors and other important government officials. To become President of India, a person must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a citizen of India. They should also be at least 35 years old. Currently, the President of India is Smt. Draupadi Murmu.
The President of India has important powers, such as executive, legislative, judicial and emergency powers. Also, the president of India acts as the guardian of the Constitution, ensuring that all actions of the government align with constitutional values. The Indian President is responsible for signing money bills, granting pardons and commuting punishments such as death sentences. However, they are supposed to seek advice from the Supreme Court on legal matters. They also act as the representative of India on the international stage, receiving diplomats and signing treaties in their name.
Who is the President of India?
The President of India is the head of state, the supreme commander of the armed forces and the first citizen. They act as the formal executive head under Articles 52-62. The Indian President is elected for five years and must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old and qualified for Lok Sabha membership. Smt. Droupadi Murmu is the 15th and current President of India, who assumed office on 25 July 2022. Indian President Droupadi Murmu is the first person belonging to a tribal community and the second woman to hold this high office. Before her presidency, she served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021.
Qualification & Eligibility of President of India
As per Article 58, to be eligible for election as the President of India, a person must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old and qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha. They must not hold any office of profit under the central, state or local government. Let’s take a look at the qualifications and eligibility of President of India: -
- Citizenship: The candidate must be an Indian citizen to be eligible for the position of President.
- Age: The candidate must be 35 years of age.
- Legislative Eligibility: The candidate must be qualified to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha.
- Office of Profit: The candidate must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, any state government or any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said governments.
Oath of President of India
As per Article 60 of the Constitution, the President of India takes an oath or affirmation before entering office to faithfully execute the office, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and law. They pledge to devote themselves to the service and well-being of the people of India. The oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India. However, if they are absent, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court administers the President’s oath.
Tenure of Service of the President of India
As per Article 56 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India holds a five-year term from the date they assume office. The President of India is eligible for re-election, can resign to the Vice-President or be removed via impeachment under Article 61 of the Constitution. The President continues in office until their successor takes charge. If a vacancy occurs due to death, resignation or removal, an election must be held as soon as possible no later than 6 months.
President of India Salary, Allowances and Perks
The President of India receives a monthly salary of ₹5 lakh, which equates to an annual salary of ₹60 lakh. This salary is taxable and was revised in 2018 from the previous ₹1.5 lakh per month. The President of India receives allowances and perks along with the basic salary, which equates to ₹5 lakh per month. The President of India is provided with rent-free accommodation at Rashtrapati Bhavan, free medical facilities and comprehensive travel allowances. Spouses of former Indian Presidents are entitled to a family pension, which is 50% of the pension amount, a furnished home, secretarial staff along with a private secretary, travel benefits, and medical care after retirement.
Process of Impeachment of President of India
The impeachment of the President of India is a quasi-judicial process under Article 61 for violation of the Constitution. It is initiated by either house of Parliament with a 14-day notice signed by 1/4th of its members. It requires a 2/3rd majority vote in both houses to remove the President. Let’s take a look at the process of impeachment of President of India: -
1. Grounds for Impeachment
The only ground for impeachment of the President is a violation of the Constitution. The Constitution does not explicitly define what constitutes a violation and leaves it open to interpretation.
2. Initiation Process
The process can be started in either House of Parliament of India, such as Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. A 14-day written notice must be given to the President, which should be signed by at least one-fourth of the total members of the house that initiated the charges.
3. Passing the Motion
The resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total members of that house. The other House of Parliament must investigate the charges, and the President has the right to appear and be represented during this investigation.
4. Removal
If the second House also passes the resolution with a 2/3rd majority of the total membership, the President stands removed from office from that date. Nominated members of either house can participate, but state legislative assemblies are not involved.
Veto Powers of President of India
The President of India possesses three types of veto powers as per Article 111 to withhold assent to bills passed by Parliament. The President has an Absolute Veto through which they refuse to sign a bill, making it void, and it is usually used for Private Member Bills or if the secretary of cabinet resigns after passing the bill. They also have a Suspensive Veto through which the President returns a bill to Parliament for reconsideration. However, if Parliament passes it again and sends it back, the President must give assent. The President’s third veto power is Pocket Veto, through which the President takes no action on the bill, keeping it pending indefinitely. Since the Constitution does not define a time limit for action, this is given the name pocket veto. Let’s take a look at the veto powers of the President of India: -
- Absolute Veto: The President refuses to sign a bill, making it void. It is usually used for Private Member Bills or if the Cabinet resigns after passing the bill.
- Suspensive Veto: The President returns a bill to Parliament for reconsideration. If Parliament passes it again with or without amendments and sends it back, the President must give assent to the bill.
- Pocket Veto: The President has the power to take no action on the bill, keeping it pending indefinitely. Since the Constitution does not define a time limit for action, this is known as a pocket veto.
Powers and Functions of President of India
The President of India has the power to appoint ministers, dissolve the Parliament, lay down the Union Budget, grant pardons and appoint army chiefs. Let’s take a look at the powers and functions of President of India: -
1. Executive Powers
The President appoints the Prime Minister of India, other ministers, state governors, Supreme Court and High Court judges, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General. All executive actions are taken in their name.
2. Legislative Powers
The President of India summons, prorogues and dissolves the Parliament of India, such as the Lok Sabha. They address Parliament, assent to bills or return them and can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
3. Financial Powers
Money bills require the President's prior recommendation to be introduced in the Lok Sabha. They cause the Union Budget 2026 to be laid before Parliament and control the Contingency Fund of India. Also, no demand for a grant can be made without the President's recommendation.
4. Military Powers
As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President of India appoints the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian President can also declare war or conclude peace in case of any unrest.
5. Judicial and Pardoning Powers
The President of India has the power to grant pardons, reprieves or commutations of punishment as per Article 72, such as death sentences. They can also seek advice from the Supreme Court on legal matters.
Conclusion
The President of India is the highest authority in the political system. They are responsible for preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution and the law of India. They have the power to appoint the Prime Minister, Council Ministers, and Governors of States. Money bills require recommendation by the President to pass; they can declare national or financial emergencies in the country. The President receives allowances along with basic salary, which equates to ₹5 lakh per month.