The
Constitutional Role and Significance of the President of India
The President of India is the nation's first citizen and the head of the Indian State. In our democratic system, the president's office is crucial because it symbolizes the nation's
identity, unity, and dignity.The President is essential to preserving stability and making sure the government operates in accordance with the Constitution, even though he or she does not oversee the day-to-day operations of the nation. The president has strong constitutional powers that are used in certain circumstances, but his role is primarily ceremonial. The President of India is
elected by an Electoral College. This means the people do not elect the
President directly. Instead, the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from both
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as the elected Members of State Legislative
Assemblies (MLAs), vote to elect the President. This system ensures that both
the Union government and the state governments play a role in choosing the head
of the nation. The President is elected for a term of five years but can be
re-elected for another term. To become the President of India, a person must be
an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a member of the
Lok Sabha. The candidate must also not hold any office of profit under the
government.
The
President has several important powers that are divided into different
categories such as executive, legislative, judicial, military, and emergency
powers. Executive powers are related to the administration of the country. The
President appoints the Prime Minister and, based on the Prime Minister’s
advice, appoints other ministers. The President also appoints Governors of
states, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Comptroller and
Auditor General, the Chief Election Commissioner, and many other important
officials. All government actions are taken in the name of the President, which
shows the importance of this office in the functioning of the nation.
Legislative
powers of the President relate to law-making. The President calls, postpones,
and ends the sessions of Parliament. A bill passed by Parliament becomes a law
only when the President gives their approval. The President may send a bill
back to Parliament for reconsideration, except in the case of a money bill.
When Parliament is not in session and an important matter requires immediate
attention, the President can issue an ordinance. An ordinance functions like a
temporary law until Parliament meets again to approve or reject it.
The
President also has judicial powers, the most important of which is the power to
grant pardons, reprieves, and reductions in the punishment of individuals. This
power is usually used in cases involving death sentences or when someone has
been given a very harsh punishment. Through this, the President can show mercy
in deserving cases.
As the
Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the President also has military
powers. The chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are appointed by the
President. Although the decision to declare war or make peace is taken by the
government, it is the President who formally announces it. These military
powers highlight the President’s role in ensuring the security of the nation.
One of
the most important responsibilities of the President comes during emergencies.
There are three types of emergencies mentioned in the Indian Constitution:
National Emergency, State Emergency (also known as President’s Rule), and
Financial Emergency. During a National Emergency, which is declared in case of
war, external aggression, or armed rebellion, the powers of the President become
very wide. In a State Emergency, the state government is removed and the
administration of the state comes under the direct control of the President. A
Financial Emergency is declared when the financial stability of the country is
at risk. These emergency powers show how the President becomes very important
in times of crisis.
Although
the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, there are times
when the President may have to use his or her own judgment. For example, if no
political party gets a clear majority in the Lok Sabha elections, the President
decides whom to invite to form the government. In such situations, the
President must act wisely and neutrally to protect the democratic system of the
country.
There
are also many interesting facts about the President of India. The official
residence of the President, Rashtrapati Bhavan, is one of the largest
Presidential houses in the world. The President cannot be taken to court during
their term of office. Although the Constitution provides a process for the
impeachment of the President, India has never impeached any President till now.
the
President of India plays a very important role in the country’s democratic and
constitutional framework. The President represents the nation, protects the
Constitution, and ensures the smooth functioning of the government. While the
position may seem mostly ceremonial, the constitutional powers of the President
make this office a pillar of India’s stability, unity, and democracy. The
President is truly the guardian of the Constitution and the symbol of the
nation’s strength.
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No.
|
President
|
Term of Office
|
Notable Achievements
|
|
1
|
Dr. Rajendra
Prasad
|
26 Jan 1950 –
13 May 1962
|
First
President; longest serving; presided over early Republic; promoted education
& constitutional values.
|
|
2
|
Dr.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
|
13 May 1962 –
13 May 1967
|
Philosopher
and educationist; teacher’s day in his honor; promoted cultural diplomacy.
|
|
3
|
Dr. Zakir
Husain
|
13 May 1967 –
3 May 1969
|
First Muslim
President educator / former Vice Chancellor promoted national integration.
|
|
4
|
V. V. Giri
|
Acting: 3 May
1969 – 20 July 1969; Full: 24 Aug 1969 – 24 Aug 1974
|
Trade union
leader; promoted labor rights & social justice.
|
|
5
|
Fakhruddin
Ali Ahmed
|
24 Aug 1974 –
11 Feb 1977
|
Oversaw the Emergency
period; emphasized administrative governance.
|
|
6
|
Neelam
Sanjiva Reddy
|
25 July 1977
– 25 July 1982
|
Only
uncontested President; emphasized constitutional propriety &
parliamentary norms.
|
|
7
|
Giani Zail
Singh
|
25 July 1982
– 25 July 1987
|
First Sikh President;
worked on social harmony & federal ties.
|
|
8
|
R.
Venkataraman
|
25 July 1987
– 25 July 1992
|
Economist
& lawyer; focused on governance reform & economic development.
|
|
9
|
Dr. Shankar
Dayal Sharma
|
25 July 1992
– 25 July 1997
|
Experienced parliamentarian;
emphasized political neutrality and constitutional ethics.
|
|
10
|
K. R.
Narayanan
|
25 July 1997
– 25 July 2002
|
First Dalit
President; championed social justice and equality.
|
|
11
|
Dr. A. P. J.
Abdul Kalam
|
25 July 2002
– 25 July 2007
|
Renowned scientist
(“Missile Man”); inspired youth; advocated science & education.
|
|
12
|
Pratibha
Patil
|
25 July 2007
– 25 July 2012
|
First woman
President; promoted women's empowerment & social welfare.
|
|
13
|
Pranab
Mukherjee
|
25 July 2012
– 25 July 2017
|
Veteran parliamentarian;
focused on institutional strengthening & foreign policy.
|
|
14
|
Ram Nath
Kovind
|
25 July 2017
– 25 July 2022
|
Advocate for
education & rural development; emphasized constitutional awareness.
|
|
15
|
Droupadi
Murmu
|
25 July 2022
– Present
|
First tribal
President; emphasizes inclusion, tribal welfare & education.
|
