Informative blog shared by Mr. Gagan Dogra (Asst. Prof. in Political Science)

 

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.

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.

 

 

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