10 min readConcept sheetSection A MCQ (1 mark) and objective (2 marks, two parts); Section B very short answer (2 marks) or short answer (3 marks)

The President: election, term and powers

The President is the Head of the State, chosen indirectly by an Electoral College for five years. All executive action of the Union is taken in the President's name.

Electoral CollegeElected members of both Houses of Parliament, of the State Legislative Assemblies, and of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry

Voting methodSecret ballot, by proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote

QualificationsA citizen of India, at least 35 years old, qualified to be elected to the Lok Sabha, holding no office of profit

Term and removalFive years, with re-election allowed; removal only by impeachment, passed by a special majority in both Houses

How the President is elected

1
The Electoral College is formed: the elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and the elected MLAs of the States, Delhi and Puducherry.
2
Only elected members vote. Nominated members do not.
3
Each member votes by secret ballot, marking the candidates in order of preference.
4★
Votes are counted by proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
A candidate needs a fixed quota of votes. If no one reaches it, the weakest candidate drops out and those votes pass to the next preference.
5
The winner holds office for five years and stays on until the successor takes over.

★ key step

Term, vacancy and who acts

The term is five years. A person who holds or has held the office can be re-elected.
The office falls vacant on death, resignation or removal by impeachment.
Impeachment is a resolution to remove the President for an act against the Constitution. Both Houses must pass it by a special majority.
In a vacancy, the Vice President acts as President until a new President takes office, but for not more than six months.
The President's pay and allowances are fixed by a law of Parliament. The official home is Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Dr Rajendra Prasad was the first President and served two terms in a row. The 12th President was the first woman to hold the office.

The four kinds of ordinary powers

Power	What the President does
Executive	Appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM's advice, the other ministers. Appoints Governors, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, ambassadors, UPSC members, and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. Is supreme commander of the armed forces and appoints the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Legislative	Addresses Parliament, summons and prorogues its sessions, dissolves the Lok Sabha on advice, gives assent to bills, calls a joint sitting when the Houses disagree, and issues ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
Financial	No money bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha without the President's prior recommendation. The Budget is laid before the Lok Sabha with the President's consent.
Judicial	Can pardon a convicted person, or suspend, reduce or change a sentence, even one given by a military court.

Whom the President can remove

A Minister, the Attorney General and the Governors of States.
The Chairman and members of the UPSC, on the report of the Supreme Court.
Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the Chief Election Commissioner, only after an address passed by each House of Parliament.
All treaties and diplomatic work are also carried out in the President's name.

Four words learners mix up

SummonA formal notice that a House will begin its meetings on a given date.

ProrogueA formal notice that a House will end its session on a given date. The House still exists.

DissolveThe Lok Sabha ceases to exist until a new one is elected. The Rajya Sabha is never dissolved.

OrdinanceA law issued by the President, on the Council of Ministers' advice, when Parliament is not in session. It ends unless Parliament approves it within six weeks of meeting again.

In real life

On Republic Day, 26 January, the President takes the salute at the parade in New Delhi. India is a republic because its Head of State is elected, not born to the post as in Britain.

Exam angle

1 marks: “Which body elects the President of India?” An Electoral College of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament, of the State Legislative Assemblies, and of the Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.

2 marks: “What is an ordinance? When can the President issue one?” An ordinance is a law issued by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It is issued only when Parliament is not in session and a law is needed at once. It ends unless Parliament approves it within six weeks of meeting.

3 marks: “Describe any three powers of the President of India, one from each of three kinds.” Executive: appoints the Prime Minister, other ministers, Governors and Supreme Court judges. Legislative: summons and prorogues Parliament, gives assent to bills, issues ordinances. Financial: recommends money bills and lets the Budget be laid. (Judicial: pardons or reduces sentences.)

Remember it

President's ordinary powers are E-L-F-J: Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial. Emergency powers come on top.