President of India
President of India (Rashtrapati) is the constitutional head of the Republic of India, and the highest-ranking public authority under the Indian Constitution. The office was established on 26 January 1950 with the adoption of the Constitution of India. While the role is mostly ceremonial, the President symbolizes the unity and integrity of the nation.[1]
Role and Powers
The President acts as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces and the ceremonial head of state. All executive actions are taken in the name of the President, though the office functions on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The President has powers to summon and dissolve Parliament, grant assent to bills, appoint governors, judges, and other constitutional authorities, and proclaim emergencies under Articles 352, 356, and 360.
Election Process
The President is elected by an Electoral College comprising the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. The election is held through proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The term is five years and the President is eligible for re-election.
Historical Overview
The first President of India was Rajendra Prasad, who served from 1950 to 1962 and remains the only person to serve two full terms. Other notable Presidents include:
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – philosopher and scholar
- Zakir Husain – first Muslim President
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – scientist and popularly known as the “People’s President”
- Pratibha Patil – the first woman President
- Droupadi Murmu – the first tribal woman President and current incumbent
Residence
The official residence of the President is the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The President also has retreats at Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad and The Retreat Building in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
See Also
- Vice President of India
- Prime Minister of India
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Constitution of India
- Indian Parliament
- Republic of India