President
The President of India is the head of the Indian Republic and the first citizen of India.
- The office is governed by Articles 52 to 62 of the Constitution.
- The President is the nominal executive; real powers are exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
๐ PYQ (BPSC 65th): Who is the first citizen of India? โ President
Election of the President
- Elected by an electoral college consisting of:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament
- Elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies (including UTs like Delhi and Puducherry)
- Proportional representation by means of single transferable vote system is used
๐ PYQ (BPSC 66th): What system is used in the Presidential election? โ Single transferable vote with proportional representation
Qualifications
- Must be a citizen of India
- At least 35 years old
- Must be qualified to be elected as Lok Sabha member
- Must not hold any office of profit
Term and Removal
- Term: 5 years, but eligible for re-election
- Can resign to the Vice President
- Can be impeached for violation of the Constitution (Article 61)
- Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament
๐ Expected MCQ: Minimum age to become President of India? โ 35 years
Powers and Functions of the President
Executive Powers
- Appoints:
- Prime Minister and other Ministers
- Governors of States
- Chief Justice and judges of Supreme Court and High Courts
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
- Chief Election Commissioner and other ECs
- Attorney General of India
- UPSC Chairman and Members
- Exercises powers with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers
Legislative Powers
- Summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament
- Gives assent to bills or returns them for reconsideration (except money bills)
- Can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session (Article 123)
- Nominates:
- 12 members to Rajya Sabha (from art, science, literature, social service)
- 2 members of Anglo-Indian community to Lok Sabha (now repealed by 104th Amendment)
๐ PYQ (BPSC 67th): How many members can the President nominate to Rajya Sabha? โ 12
Judicial Powers
- Can pardon, reprieve, commute, remit, or suspend sentences (Article 72)
- Appoints judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
๐ PYQ (BPSC 64th): Which Article grants the President power to grant pardon? โ Article 72
Financial Powers
- Causes the Union Budget to be laid before Parliament
- Recommends the introduction of money bills in Lok Sabha
- Can authorize withdrawal from the Contingency Fund of India
Emergency Powers
- National Emergency (Article 352)
- Presidentโs Rule in a state (Article 356)
- Financial Emergency (Article 360)
๐ Expected MCQ: Under which article can Presidentโs Rule be imposed? โ Article 356
Discretionary Powers of the President
- Can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider their advice
- Appoints Prime Minister in case of hung Lok Sabha
- Can return a bill (not money bill) for reconsideration
Role of the President in Bihar
- Approves Presidentโs Rule in Bihar when recommended by Governor
- Appoints the Governor of Bihar
- Can intervene in legislative matters under Article 200 (when a state bill is reserved)
Quick Revision Points
- Articles related to President: 52โ62
- Elected by electoral college with proportional representation
- Head of the Republic, First Citizen
- Nominates 12 members to Rajya Sabha, promulgates ordinance โ Article 123
- Pardoning power โ Article 72
- Emergency powers โ Articles 352, 356, 360
- Can be impeached for violation of Constitution
Sources Used
- NCERT Class 11 โ Indian Constitution at Work
- M. Laxmikanth โ Indian Polity (6th Edition)
- Lucent GK โ Polity Section
- PRS Legislative Research
- Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs
- Ministry of Law & Justice โ India.gov.in