The President of India holds an important position in the governance of the
respective nation. Presidents have important duties and responsibilities that
help in maintaining the democratic system of India. In this article, we will
discuss the list of Indian Presidents so far along with the roles and duties
of the Indian President, interesting facts about the post and how the Indian
President is elected.
Roles and Duties of the Indian President
• Guardian of the Constitution:
The President protects the Constitution, ensuring that it is followed
correctly.
• Appointing the Prime Minister:
While the Prime Minister and the Cabinet run the government, the President
formally selects the Prime Minister.
• Approving Laws: A bill requires the assent of the President to become a law. The
President can also address both the houses of the Parliament and can also
dissolve the Lok Sabha if necessary.
• International Representation: The Indian President represents India at the world stage and meets
foreign leaders.
• Commander-in-Chief: The Indian
President is the highest military authority in India, even though day-to-day
control rests with civilian leaders.
List of Presidents of India
Since independence till date (till 2023), there have been a total of 15
Presidents in India, out of which Draupadi Murmu is the current President of
India. Let's see the list of all the Indian Presidents who have served the
country from 1950 till date:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950-1962)
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, who served from 1950
to 1962. Born on December 3, 1884 in Zeradei, Bihar, he was a prominent
leader in the Indian independence struggle and played a key role in drafting
the Indian Constitution. Dr. Prasad was widely respected for his simplicity
and commitment to democratic values. He was also a prolific writer and
scholar. He died on February 28, 1963.
2. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962-1967)
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India, held the office
from 1962 to 1967. Born on September 5, 1888 in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, he
was a renowned philosopher and politician. His birthday, 5 September, is
celebrated as Teachers' Day in India to honor his contribution to education.
Dr. Radhakrishnan's philosophy and writings had a profound impact in India
and around the world. He died on April 17, 1975.
3. Dr. Zakir Husain (1967-1969)
The third President of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain, served from 1967 to 1969.
Born on February 8, 1897 in Hyderabad, he was not only an academic but also
a leading educationist. He was the first Muslim to hold the office of
President. His presidency was marked by a commitment to educational
development, and he was associated with many universities and institutes. He
died on May 3, 1969.
4. V. V. Giri (1969-1974)
The fourth President, V. V. Giri, held the office from 1969 to 1974. Born on
August 10, 1894 in Berhampur, Odisha, he was a prominent trade unionist and
politician. His presidency was notable for its focus on labor and social
justice issues, reflecting his earlier career in labor movements. V. V. Giri
died on 24 June 1980.
5. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974-1977)
The fifth President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, served from 1974 to 1977. Born on
13 May 1905 in Delhi, he was a lawyer and freedom fighter. His presidency
was marked by events such as the declaration of a state of emergency in
India in 1975. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed died on 11 February 1977.
6. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977-1982)
The sixth President, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, held office from 1977 to 1982.
Born on May 19, 1913 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, he had a long and
distinguished political career. He was known for his commitment to
democratic values and constitutional principles. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy died
on 1 June 1996.
7. Giani Zail Singh (1982-1987)
The seventh President, Giani Zail Singh, served from 1982 to 1987. Born on
May 5, 1916 in Sandhwan, Punjab, he was a veteran politician and served as
the Chief Minister of Punjab before becoming President. His presidency saw
significant political developments in India, including the 1984 anti-Sikh
riots. He died on 25 December 1994.
8. R. Venkataraman (1987-1992)
R. Venkataraman, the eighth President, held office from 1987 to 1992. Born
on December 4, 1910, in Rajamadam, Tamil Nadu, he had a distinguished legal
and political career. His presidency coincided with a period of economic
reforms and political changes in India. R. Venkataraman passed away on
January 27, 2009.
9. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992-1997)
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the ninth President, served from 1992 to 1997.
Born on August 19, 1918, in Bhopal, he had a background in law and politics
and was known for his commitment to social justice and constitutional
values. Prior to his presidency, he had held various important positions,
including Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He passed away on December 26,
1999.
10. K. R. Narayanan (1997-2002)
K. R. Narayanan, the tenth President, held office from 1997 to 2002. Born on
October 27, 1920, in Uzhavoor, Kerala, he was a diplomat and a career civil
servant. He was known for his contributions to Indian foreign policy and his
advocacy for marginalized communities. K. R. Narayanan passed away on
November 9, 2005.
11. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2002-2007)
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President, served from 2002 to 2007.
Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, he was a renowned
scientist and engineer. Popularly known as the "People's President", he
inspired the youth of India with his vision of a developed and
technologically advanced nation. Dr. Kalam was known as the "Missile Man of
India" for his contributions to India's space and missile programs. He
passed away on July 27, 2015.
12. Pratibha Patil (2007-2012)
Pratibha Patil, the twelfth President and the first woman to hold the
office, served from 2007 to 2012. Born on December 19, 1934, in Jalgaon,
Maharashtra, she had a background in law and politics and focused on issues
related to women and social justice. Prior to her presidency, she had served
as the Governor of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Pratibha Patil is alive
and living her life peacefully.
13. Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017)
Pranab Mukherjee, the thirteenth President, served from 2012 to 2017. Born
on December 11, 1935, in Mirati, West Bengal, he had a long and illustrious
political career, including serving as India's Finance Minister. His
presidency was marked by his vast experience in governance. Pranab Mukherjee
passed away on August 31, 2020.
14. Ram Nath Kovind (2017-2022)
Ram Nath Kovind, the fourteenth and incumbent President, has been in office
since 2017. Born on October 1, 1945, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, he has a
legal background and has been associated with various social and political
initiatives throughout his career. Before becoming President, he served as
the Governor of the Indian state of Bihar. He is alive and living a healthy
life.
15. Draupadi Murmu (2022- Current)
Draupadi Murmu assumed the role of President of the Republic of India
following her election on July 21, 2022, making her the 15th President to
hold the coveted post after Shri Ram Nath Kovind. Born on 20 June 1958, her
political journey typically began in 1997 when she joined the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) and was eventually elected as a councilor of Rairangpur
Nagar Panchayat. In the year 2000, due to her dedication and leadership she
was appointed as the Chairman of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. Additionally,
she served as the National Vice President of the BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha,
demonstrating her commitment to diverse communities. Before becoming
President, Draupadi Murmu had created history as the first woman to serve as
the Governor of Jharkhand.
How is the Indian President elected?
In India, the President is chosen using an electoral college system, where
the votes come from both national and state-level lawmakers. The whole
process is managed and supervised by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Presidential candidates need the support of at least 50 members
of the Electoral College, which includes elected members of Parliament and
State Legislative Assemblies.
• Members of the Electoral College vote by secret ballot. Each
member's vote is weighted based on the population they represent.
• The candidate who gets over 50% of the total votes becomes the
President-elect. If no one gets the majority in the first round, more
rounds of voting take place.
• The Chief Justice of India administers the oath of office to the
President-elect, who then assumes their duties.
The election of the President ensures that all parts of India have a say
in choosing the country's highest authority. The President's job is
essential in upholding our Constitution and democratic values.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the position of President of
India, an individual must meet the following criteria as per the Constitution
of India:
• Citizenship: The
candidate must be a citizen of India.
• Age: The candidate must
be at least 35 years old.
• Qualifications for Members of Parliament:
To be eligible for the presidency, a candidate must fulfill the
qualifications required for membership in the Lok Sabha (House of the
People), which include being a registered voter and not holding any office
of profit under the Government of India or the government of any state or
under any local authority.
• Nomination: The
candidate must be nominated by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50
electors as seconders. These electors must be members of the Electoral
College, which consists of elected members of both Houses of Parliament
(Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and elected members of the Legislative
Assemblies of States and Union territories.
• No Government Office:
The candidate should not hold any office of profit under the Government of
India, any state government, or any local authority.
• No Dual Office: The
President cannot hold any other office of profit during their tenure.
These eligibility criteria ensure that the President of India is a
qualified and impartial individual capable of fulfilling the important
responsibilities of the office.
Some Interesting Facts about the President of India
Following are some interesting but important facts or things to know about
Indian Presidents:
• The President's term lasts five years and can be renewed for
a maximum of two terms.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was India's first President in 1950.
Additionally, he was the sole individual to have served two terms in
office.
• Dr. Zakir Husain was the only President of India to serve
two non-consecutive terms. He served as the 3rd President of India from
1962 to 1967 and was re-elected for a second term but unfortunately passed
away in office in 1969.
• Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, known as the "Missile Man of
India", was a popular President.
• The first female President of India was Pratibha Patil. She
served as the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012.
• The "Rashtrapati Bhavan" in New Delhi is the President's
official residence.
• The President uses a special official car called the
"Presidential State Car".
• The President is India's most important citizen and enjoys
certain legal protections.
Summary
The President of India holds a very special position as the head of the
Indian state and is considered the most prominent or first citizen of the
country. There have been a total of 15 Presidents in India since 1950 till
now (2023-24), of which Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first and Draupadi Murmu
is the current President. Amidst all this, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been
one of the most loved personalities and was called the "People's President".
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