📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. President — Election & Office
- Art. 52: there shall be a President; Art. 53: executive power of the Union vested in him — nominal head.
- Art. 54 electoral college: elected members of both Houses + elected MLAs of states and of Delhi and Puducherry (70th Amendment 1992). Nominated members and MLCs do not vote.
- Art. 55: proportional representation by single transferable vote, secret ballot. Disputes go to SC (Art. 71).
- Qualifications (Art. 58): citizen, 35 years, qualified for LS, no office of profit. Term 5 years (Art. 56), re-election allowed (Art. 57).
- Oath: by the Chief Justice of India (Art. 60); resignation: to the Vice-President.
- Impeachment (Art. 61): only for "violation of the Constitution"; either House, signed by 1/4 members, 14 days' notice; 2/3 of total membership of each House. Nominated members participate. Never used so far.
- Vacancy to be filled within 6 months; VP acts meanwhile; if both absent, the CJI (1969: Justice M. Hidayatullah).
📌 2. Powers of the President
| Power | Details |
|---|---|
| Executive | Appoints PM and ministers, AG, CAG, CEC, UPSC, Governors, Finance Commission etc. |
| Legislative | Summon/prorogue, dissolve LS; joint sitting (Art. 108); nominates 12 to RS; address (Art. 87) |
| Ordinance (Art. 123) | When Parliament is not in session; lapses 6 weeks after reassembly unless approved (max ~6 months 6 weeks) |
| Pardon (Art. 72) | Pardon, commutation, remission, respite, reprieve; also for death sentence and court-martial — Governor (Art. 161) cannot pardon death sentence |
| Financial | Money bills on recommendation; Contingency Fund (Art. 267); Finance Commission (Art. 280) |
| Judicial/Emergency | Advice from SC (Art. 143); Art. 352, 356, 360 |
| Veto | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Absolute | Withhold assent |
| Suspensive | Return once for reconsideration; must assent if re-passed; not for money bills |
| No time limit — keep bill pending indefinitely (Zail Singh, Indian Post Office Amendment Bill 1986) |
- Art. 74(1): President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers (42nd: binding; 44th: may return once for reconsideration).
- In Nov 2025 a SC Constitution Bench (Art. 143 reference) opined that courts cannot impose fixed timelines on Governors/President for deciding on bills.
| President | Fact |
|---|---|
| Dr Rajendra Prasad | First President; only one with two terms |
| Dr S. Radhakrishnan | First Vice-President; 5 Sept — Teachers' Day |
| Dr Zakir Hussain | First President to die in office |
| N. Sanjiva Reddy | Elected unopposed |
| Pratibha Patil | First woman President |
| Droupadi Murmu (2022–) | 15th President; first tribal woman President |
📌 3. Vice-President (Art. 63–71)
- Office modelled on the USA; ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Art. 64).
- Electoral college (Art. 66): all members of both Houses (including nominated); state assemblies do not take part.
- Qualifications: 35 years, qualified for RS; 5-year term; oath by the President; resigns to the President.
- Removal (Art. 67): resolution by effective majority of RS + agreement of LS; 14 days' notice; no grounds specified — not "impeachment".
- After Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July 2025, C.P. Radhakrishnan became the 15th Vice-President on 12 Sept 2025.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- President's election: only elected members; VP's election: all MPs including nominated, no MLAs.
- President's oath = CJI; VP's oath = President.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Who is NOT part of the electoral college for the President? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Nominated members and MLCs do not vote in the presidential election.
Nominated members and MLCs do not vote in the presidential election.
Q2. What is the minimum age for the office of President? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 58 — 35 years.
Art. 58 — 35 years.
Q3. Who administers the oath of office to the President? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 60 — the CJI (or senior-most SC judge in his absence).
Art. 60 — the CJI (or senior-most SC judge in his absence).
Q4. To whom does the President submit resignation? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The President resigns to the Vice-President.
The President resigns to the Vice-President.
Q5. What is the only ground for impeaching the President? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 61 — only "violation of the Constitution".
Art. 61 — only "violation of the Constitution".
Q6. The President's ordinance-making power is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 123 (213 for Governors).
Art. 123 (213 for Governors).
Q7. The President's pardoning power is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 72; Art. 161 for Governors.
Art. 72; Art. 161 for Governors.
Q8. What is a key difference between the pardoning powers of President and Governor? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Only the President can pardon death sentences and court-martial cases; a Governor may commute/suspend a death sentence.
Only the President can pardon death sentences and court-martial cases; a Governor may commute/suspend a death sentence.
Q9. An ordinance lapses how long after Parliament reassembles, if not approved? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
It lapses 6 weeks after reassembly unless approved.
It lapses 6 weeks after reassembly unless approved.
Q10. Which President used the pocket veto (Indian Post Office Amendment Bill 1986)? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Zail Singh took no decision on that bill.
Zail Singh took no decision on that bill.
Q11. Who constitute the electoral college for the Vice-President? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 66 — all MPs including nominated members.
Art. 66 — all MPs including nominated members.
Q12. Where does a resolution to remove the Vice-President originate? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
RS passes it by effective majority, then LS agrees.
RS passes it by effective majority, then LS agrees.
Q13. Who acts as President if both President and VP offices are vacant? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
In 1969 CJI M. Hidayatullah acted as President.
In 1969 CJI M. Hidayatullah acted as President.
Q14. Under which Article does the President seek the Supreme Court's advice? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 143 — advisory jurisdiction; advice is not binding.
Art. 143 — advisory jurisdiction; advice is not binding.
Q15. How many members does the President nominate to Rajya Sabha? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
12 from literature, science, art and social service (Art. 80).
12 from literature, science, art and social service (Art. 80).
Q16. Who is India's first tribal woman President? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Droupadi Murmu became the 15th President on 25 July 2022.
Droupadi Murmu became the 15th President on 25 July 2022.
Q17. Which amendment included Delhi and Puducherry assemblies in the presidential electoral college? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The 70th Amendment added this explanation to Art. 54.
The 70th Amendment added this explanation to Art. 54.
Q18. What can the President NOT do with a money bill? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
A money bill is introduced on his recommendation, so he cannot return it for reconsideration.
A money bill is introduced on his recommendation, so he cannot return it for reconsideration.
Q19. Who is the 15th Vice-President (since Sept 2025)? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
After Dhankhar resigned (July 2025), C.P. Radhakrishnan took office on 12 Sept 2025.
After Dhankhar resigned (July 2025), C.P. Radhakrishnan took office on 12 Sept 2025.
Q20. Who is the only President to serve two terms? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Rajendra Prasad was President from 1950 to 1962.
Rajendra Prasad was President from 1950 to 1962.