President of India


President of India is the head of the Union Executive. A Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister aids and advises the President in the excersie of his function.

President of India is also Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces.

Office of President of India


Qualification
  • Must be a citizen of India
  • Completed 35 years of age
  • Eligible to be a member of Lok Sabha
  • Must not hold any government post. Exceptions are:
1.    President and Vice-President
2.    Governor of any state
3.    Minister of Union State
Election
  • Indirectly elected through ‘Electoral College’ consisting of Elected members of both the Houses of Parliament & Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. (No nominated members)
  • Security deposit of Rs 15,000/-
  • Supreme court inquires all disputes regarding President’s Election.
  • Takes OATH in presence of Chief Justice of India, or in his absence, senior-most Judge of Supreme Court
Terms and Emoluments
  • 5 year term
  • Article 57 says that there is no upper limit on the number of times a person can become President
  • Can give resignation to Vice-President before full-term
  • Present Salary- Rs. 1,00,000/month (including allowances & emoluments)
Impeachment
  • Quasi-judicial procedure
  • Can be impeached only on the ground of violation of constitution
  • The impeachment procedure can be initiated in either House of the Parliament
Vacancy
  • In case of office falls vacant due to death, resignation or removal, the Vice-President act as President. It he is not available then Chief Justice, it not then senior-most Judge of the Supreme court shall act as the President of India
  • The election is to be held within 6 months of the vacancy
Powers
  • Appoints PM, Ministers, Chief Justice & judge of Supreme Court & High Court, Chairman & members of UPSC, Comptroller and Auditor General, Attorney General, Chief Election Commissioner and other members of Election Commission of India, Governors, Members of Finance Commission, Ambassadors, etc
  • Can summon & prorogue the sessions of the 2 houses & can dissolve Lok Sabha
  • Appoints Finance Commission (after every 5 years) that recommends distribution of taxes between Union & State governments
  • The President can promulgate 3 types of Emergencies:-
1.    National Emergency (Article 352)
2.    State Emergency (President’s Rule) (Article 356)
3.    Financial Emergency (Article 360)
  • He is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces of India
  • President appoints Chief of Army, Navy and Air force
  • Declares wars & concludes peace subject to the approval of the Parliament
  • No money bill or demand for grant can be introduced or moved in Parliament unless it has been recommended by the President
  • He has the power to grant pardon, reprieve or remit of punishment or commute death sentences
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