Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Indian Polity
President of India — Election & Qualifications
Election process (Articles 54-55), electoral college, proportional representation, qualifications, term, and impeachment.
📋 In This Article
1. Position of President
The President of India is the constitutional head of the executive (Article 52). The President is the first citizen of India and the supreme commander of the armed forces. However, in practice, the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
💡 Key Idea: The President is the nominal (constitutional) head — like the Queen of England. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are the real executive. The President “reigns but does not rule.”
2. Qualifications
To be eligible for election as President, a person must:
- Be a citizen of India
- Have completed the age of 35 years
- Be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
- Not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, State Government, or any local authority
⭐ Exam Fact: A sitting President or Vice-President, a Governor of any State, or a Minister of the Union or any State is not disqualified for election as President — they are deemed not to hold an office of profit.
3. Election Process
The President is elected by an indirect election — not directly by the people. The election is governed by Articles 54 and 55.
- Article 54: Election of President — by an electoral college
- Article 55: Manner of election — proportional representation with single transferable vote (STV)
✅ Remember: The President is elected by proportional representation with single transferable vote (STV). This means voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets an absolute majority in the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the second preference, and so on.
4. Electoral College
The electoral college for the election of President consists of:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha)
- Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States
- Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir)
📌 Note: Nominated members of Parliament and State Legislatures do NOT participate in the election of the President. Only elected members participate. This is to ensure that the President represents the will of the elected representatives of the people.
5. Value of Votes
The value of votes is calculated to ensure uniformity between States and parity between Parliament and States:
Value of Vote of an MLA
Value = Total population of State ÷ (Total elected MLAs × 1000)
Value of Vote of an MP
Value = Total value of votes of all MLAs ÷ Total elected MPs
⭐ Exam Fact: The value of votes is calculated to ensure that the President represents both the States and the Parliament equally. States with larger populations have higher value votes for their MLAs.
6. Term and Removal
Term
- The President holds office for a term of 5 years from the date of entering office
- The President can be re-elected any number of times (no limit)
- The President continues to hold office until a successor enters office
Removal — Impeachment (Article 61)
- The President can be removed by impeachment for violation of the Constitution
- Impeachment can be initiated by either House of Parliament
- The charge must be signed by at least 1/4 of the total members of the House
- 14 days’ notice must be given to the President
- The resolution must be passed by a 2/3 majority of the total membership of the House
- The other House investigates the charge
- If the other House also passes the resolution by 2/3 majority, the President is removed
💡 Key Idea: No President of India has ever been impeached. The impeachment process is very difficult — it requires 2/3 majority of total membership (not just present and voting) of both Houses.
7. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- President: Constitutional head; nominal executive
- Minimum age: 35 years
- Election: Indirect — by electoral college
- Method: Proportional representation with STV
- Electoral college: Elected MPs + Elected MLAs (not nominated)
- UTs with elected assemblies: Delhi, Puducherry, J&K
- Term: 5 years; can be re-elected any number of times
- Removal: Impeachment (Article 61)
- Impeachment: 1/4 members sign charge; 2/3 of total membership of both Houses
- No President has been impeached in India
- Article 54: Election of President; Article 55: Manner of election