GS 2 – POLITY
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Constitutional Provisions
- Article 52: There shall be a President of India.
- Article 53: The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
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Election of the President
- Indirect Election through an Electoral College:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
- Elected members of Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry.
- Proportional Representation with single transferable vote system.
- Secret ballot is used.
Formula for vote value:
- MLA’s Vote = (Population of State / No. of elected MLAs) × 1/1000
- MP’s Vote = Total value of MLA votes / Total elected MPs
Nominated members of Parliament/Legislatures do not vote.
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Qualifications
- Indian citizen
- 35 years of age
- Eligible to be elected as a member of Lok Sabha
- Should not hold any office of profit
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Term and Conditions
- Term: 5 years
- Re-election allowed
- Impeachment under Article 61 for “violation of the Constitution”
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Powers and Functions
Executive Powers:
- All executive actions are taken in the President’s name.
- Appoints: PM, Council of Ministers, Governors, Judges of SC and HC, CAG, CEC, UPSC members, etc.
Legislative Powers:
- Summons and prorogues Parliament, dissolves Lok Sabha
- Addresses first session after general election and Budget session
- Gives assent, withholds, or returns bills (except money bills)
- Can promulgate ordinances under Article 123 when Parliament is not in session
Judicial Powers:
- Can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, or remission (Article 72)
- Not answerable to any court for exercise of powers
Emergency Powers:
- National Emergency (Art. 352)
- President’s Rule (Art. 356)
- Financial Emergency (Art. 360)
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Veto Powers
- Absolute Veto: Withholds assent
- Suspensive Veto: Returns the bill (except money bill)
- Pocket Veto: Takes no action (no time limit)
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Ordinance-making Power (Article 123)
- When Parliament is not in session
- Ordinance has the same force as a law
- Must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly
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Impeachment Process
- Only for “violation of Constitution”
- Quasi-judicial process: both Houses participate
- Requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses
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Comparison with Governor (for Mains)
Feature | President | Governor |
Appointed by | Electoral College | President |
Emergency powers | Yes | No |
Pardoning power | Wider (Article 72) | Limited (Article 161) |
Ordinance | Article 123 | Article 213 |
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Important Facts for Prelims
- First President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (only one to serve two terms)
- Current President (as of 2025): Droupadi Murmu, first tribal woman President
- Real Executive: PM & Council of Ministers; President is a nominal executive (de jure head)