President of India: List, Powers, Functions & Constitutional Provisions
The President of India is the constitutional head of the Republic of India and the first citizen of the country. The office of the President is established under Article 52 of the Constitution of India. The President is also an integral part of the Parliament under Article 79 and serves as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces under Article 53. Although executive power is vested in the President, it is generally exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, as provided under Article 74. The President performs important executive, legislative, financial, judicial, diplomatic and emergency functions according to the Constitution.
List of Presidents of India
Since the establishment of the Republic of India on 26 January 1950, India has had 15 Presidents. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, while Droupadi Murmu is the 15th and current President.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962): He was the first President of India and remains the only President to have served two complete terms.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962–1967): A renowned philosopher and educationist, he was also the second President of India and previously served as Vice President. His birthday, 5 September, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
Dr. Zakir Husain (1967–1969): He was the third President of India and the first Muslim to hold the office. He died while serving as President.
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1969–1974): V. V. Giri served as Acting President before being elected President. He is widely known as the first President of India to be elected as an independent candidate.
Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974–1977): He was the fifth President of India and died in office during the period of the National Emergency.
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977–1982): He was the sixth President of India and the first President to be elected unopposed. He had also served as Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Giani Zail Singh (1982–1987): He was the first Sikh to become President of India.
R. Venkataraman (1987–1992): He served as the eighth President and had previously held important positions, including Vice President and Union Finance Minister.
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992–1997): He was the ninth President of India and had served as Vice President and Governor of several Indian states.
K. R. Narayanan (1997–2002): He was the tenth President and is widely recognized as the first Dalit President of India. Before becoming President, he served as Vice President and diplomat.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2002–2007): Known as the “Missile Man of India” and the “People’s President,” he was a renowned scientist and played a major role in India’s missile and space programmes.
Pratibha Devi Singh Patil (2007–2012): She was the first woman to serve as President of India.
Pranab Mukherjee (2012–2017): A veteran parliamentarian, he served in several important Union ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, before becoming President.
Ram Nath Kovind (2017–2022): He served as the 14th President of India and had previously served as Governor of Bihar. He was the second President from a Dalit community.
Droupadi Murmu (2022–Present): She is the 15th President of India and the first tribal woman to hold the office. She is also the second woman President of India and the first person from Odisha to become President.
Constitutional Position of the President
Article 52 provides for the office of the President of India. Under Article 53, the executive power of the Union is vested in the President. However, under Article 74, the President generally acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
The President is an important constitutional authority and performs several functions that maintain the working of India's parliamentary democracy. The President also acts as a formal link between the Union government and various constitutional institutions.
Executive Powers of the President
The President exercises important executive functions under the Constitution. The President appoints the Prime Minister and appoints other Union Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The President also appoints Governors of states, the Attorney General of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and members of several constitutional bodies according to the applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.
The executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in the name of the President. The President also serves as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces of India. The appointment of senior defence officials and the formal exercise of defence-related powers take place within the constitutional framework.
The President also represents India in international affairs. Diplomatic appointments, the formal acceptance of foreign diplomatic representatives and certain treaty-related functions are carried out in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
Legislative Powers of the President
The President is an integral part of the Parliament of India under Article 79. The President has several important legislative functions.
The President summons and prorogues Parliament and may dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President addresses Parliament after a general election and at the beginning of the first session of each year.
Every Bill passed by Parliament is presented to the President for assent. Under Article 111, the President may return an ordinary Bill once for reconsideration. If Parliament passes the Bill again, the President cannot withhold assent. A Money Bill cannot be returned for reconsideration.
The President can also promulgate Ordinances under Article 123 when both Houses of Parliament are not in session and immediate legislative action is considered necessary. An Ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, subject to constitutional limitations, and must cease to operate six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless it is approved or otherwise dealt with earlier.
Under Article 80, the President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from among persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
Financial Powers of the President
The President has important financial responsibilities under the Constitution. The Annual Financial Statement, commonly known as the Union Budget, is laid before both Houses of Parliament on behalf of the President under Article 112.
Certain financial proposals require the recommendation of the President before they can be introduced in Parliament. Demands for grants also require the President's recommendation.
The President constitutes the Finance Commission under Article 280, normally every five years or earlier when necessary. The Finance Commission recommends the distribution of certain financial resources between the Union and the states.
Judicial Powers of the President
Article 72 gives the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit or commute sentences in specified cases. This power includes cases involving court martial, offences relating to matters within the Union executive power, and all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.
The President also has the power under Article 143 to refer certain questions of law or fact of public importance to the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion.
Emergency Powers of the President
The Constitution gives the President important emergency powers. These provisions are contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
National Emergency – Article 352
A National Emergency may be proclaimed when the security of India or any part of its territory is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion. The proclamation is subject to constitutional safeguards and must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within the prescribed period.
President's Rule – Article 356
Under Article 356, the President may assume certain functions of a state government when the constitutional machinery in a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. This is commonly known as President's Rule.
Financial Emergency – Article 360
Article 360 provides for a Financial Emergency when the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is threatened. A Financial Emergency must be approved by Parliament within the constitutionally prescribed period.
Election of the President of India
The President of India is not elected directly by the people. The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states, along with the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry, as provided by the Constitution.
The election is conducted through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and by secret ballot.
The normal term of office of the President is five years. A person can be re-elected to the office of President, and the Constitution does not impose a limit on the number of terms.
Conclusion
The President of India occupies a vital position in the constitutional structure of the country. Although India follows a parliamentary system in which the elected government exercises executive authority through the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, the President performs several important constitutional functions. From appointing key constitutional authorities and summoning Parliament to exercising clemency powers and dealing with constitutional emergencies, the office of the President plays an important role in maintaining the constitutional framework and democratic functioning of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the President of India?
Droupadi Murmu is the 15th President of India and has been serving in office since 25 July 2022.
Who was the first President of India?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India.
Who was the first woman President of India?
Pratibha Devi Singh Patil was the first woman President of India.
Who was the first tribal President of India?
Droupadi Murmu is the first tribal President of India and the first tribal woman to hold the office.
What is the term of the President of India?
The President normally holds office for five years from the date of entering office.
Which Article deals with the President of India?
Article 52 provides for the office of the President, while Articles 53 to 62 contain several important provisions relating to the President's powers, election, term and related matters.
Which Article gives the President the power to grant pardon?
Article 72 gives the President the power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, suspension or commutation in specified cases.
Which Article deals with the President's Ordinance-making power?
Article 123 deals with the Ordinance-making power of the President.