POWERS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA |CUET| Polity L-5

President And Powers Of President

The Indian President is the head of the state and he is also called the first citizen of India. He is a part of Union Executive, provisions of which are dealt with Article 52-78 including articles related to President (Article 52-62). Under these articles, information on how a President is elected, his powers and functions, and also his impeachment process is given.

President:

Under Article 52 of the Indian Constitution the Indian President is the head of the state. He is the first citizen of India and is a symbol of solidarity, unity, and integrity of the nation. He is a part of Union Executive along with the Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and Attorney-General of India.

Election of President:

3 Under Article 54 of the Indian Constitution There is no direct election for the Indian President. An electoral college elects him. The electoral college responsible for President’s elections comprises elected members of:

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Legislative Assemblies of the states (Legislative Councils have no role)

Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry

Who does not take part in the President’s elections:

The following group of people is not involved in electing the President of India:

Nominated Members of Lok Sabha (2) and Rajya Sabha (12

Nominated Members of State Legislative Assemblies

Members of Legislative Councils (Both elected and nominated) in bicameral legislatures

Nominated Members of union territories of Delhi and Puducherry

Term of the President’s office:

Under Article 56 of The Indian Constitution Once President is elected, he holds office for five years. He sits in the office even after the completion of five years given no new election has taken place or no new President has been elected till then. He can also be re-elected and there is no cap on his re-election.

Qualifications of the President:

Under Article 58 of the Indian Constitution, A candidate has to meet some qualifications to be elected as the president.

Those qualifications of the President are:

He should be an Indian Citizen

His age should be a minimum of 35 years

He should qualify the conditions to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha

He should not hold any office of profit under the central government, state government, or any public authority

Conditions of the President’s office:

There are a few conditions for the candidate running for the President’s elections:

He cannot be a member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. If he has been a member of either of the house, he should vacate the seat on his first day as President in the office

He should not hold any office of profit

For his residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan is provided to him without the payment of rent

Parliament decides his emoluments, allowances and privileges

Parliament cannot diminish his emoluments and allowances during his term of office

He is given immunity from any criminal proceedings, even in respect of his personal acts

Arrest or imprisonment of the President cannot take place. Only civil proceedings can be initiated for his personal acts that too after giving two months of prior notice.