President of India: List & Powers and Functions

The President of India is head of state, and the supreme commander of the armed forces, holding executive, legislative, financial, judicial and emergency powers. He exercises all these powers and functions on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The Key executive powers and functions of the president include the appointment of the Prime Minister, other ministers, state governors, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Attorney General, and the Comptroller and Auditor General. And all executive actions taken formally in the name of the President. He / She also ensures emergencies, such as national emergencies, President's rule and financial emergencies under articles 352 to 360.

Judicial powers and functions include the pardoning power of the president, that is Grants pardons, reprieves, or remits punishment under Article 72. And seeking legal advice from the Supreme Court on public importance matters under article 143. Under Financial powers and functions, it ensures the Annual Financial Statement Budget is laid before Parliament, and Money bills can only be introduced with prior recommendation.

The President of India is the Constitutional head of the Union. He is also a part of the Parliament. However, the executive powers are vested with the President of India but the power is exercised by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. There are various powers and functions of the President of India which can be understood below.

• Under Article 53 of the constitution of India, all executive actions of the Union are taken by the President of India. The President appoints the Prime Minister. He also appoints other Union Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister of India.
• The President also appoints Governors, Attorney General of India, Comptroller and Auditor General, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. He also appoints the members of UPSC, Finance Commissioners, and Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.
• The President of India is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces and appoints chiefs of the defence services. International treaties and diplomatic relations are formally conducted in the name of the President.

• According to Article 79 of the constitution of India, the President of India is an integral part of the Parliament. The President can summon, prorogue the Parliament, and can dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President addresses the Parliament at the beginning of the first session after each general election and first session of every year. A bill can become a law only after the assent of the President.
• The President may return an ordinary bill for reconsideration but must give assent to the bill if the Parliament again passes the bill. As per Article 123 of the constitution of India, the President may promulgate an ordinance when Parliament is not in session. However, the ordinance must be approved by the Parliament within 6 weeks of their reassembly. The President can nominate 12 people with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service to the Rajya Sabha.

• The Money bill cannot be introduced in the Lok Sabha without the recommendation of the President. The Union Budget is laid before Parliament on the name of the President. Also the demands for the grants need prior recommendation of the president. The President can constitute the Finance Commission.
• According to Article 72 of the Indian Constitution, the President may grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, suspension, or commutation of sentences in the cases of Court martial and death sentences. Under Article 143, the President may seek the advice of the Supreme Court on important questions of facts and law.

• As per Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, the President may proclaim a National Emergency in case of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
• According to Article 356 of the constitution of India, the President's rule can be imposed upon the breakdown of constitutional machinery of a state. The President can also impose a Financial Emergency under article 360 of the Indian Constitution, when the financial stability in the country is threatened. These powers are subject to the approval of the Parliament and constitutional safeguards.

S.No.	Steps	Procedure
1	Electoral College	The elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies including Delhi and Puducherry. The nominated Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) do not vote.
2	System of Voting	The proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV). The voting is done by secret ballot.
3	Value of Vote of an MLA	Value = (State population ÷ total elected MLAs) ÷ 1,000 (rounded) It ensures federal balance.
4	Value of Vote of an MP	Value = (Total value of all MLA votes ÷ total elected MPs). It maintains parity between States and Union.
5	Nomination & Scrutiny	The candidate needs 50 proposers + 50 seconders from the electoral college and Rs. 15,000 security deposit. The Returning Officer scrutinises the nominations.
6	Polling & Counting	It is a single-day polling and counting using the STV method. The candidate who secures the required quota is declared as elected. In case of any disputes or doubt, the candidate can go to the Supreme Court whose decision shall be final.

S.No.	Aspect	Constitutional Provisions	Details
1	Existence of Office	Article 52	There shall be a President of India.
2	Executive Power	Article 53	The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
3	Election	Article 54	The president shall be elected by an electoral college of elected MPs and elected MLAs including Delhi & Puducherry.
4	Manner of Election	Article 55	Manner of Election of the President of India. The president is elected through PRS STV or Proportional representation system by single transferable vote, secret ballot, population based vote value.
5	Term of Office	Article 56	The President shall hold the office for a term of 5 years. However, he/she may resign or can be removed by impeachment.
6	Qualifications	Article 58	Qualifications for election to the President of India. It includes the citizens of India, at least 35 years of age, qualified to be elected to Lok Sabha, and must not hold office of profit.
7	Conditions of Office	Article 59	It includes the conditions of the office to the President.
8	Oath / Affirmation	Article 60	Oath to the office of President of India.
9	Impeachment	Article 61	It includes the procedure of impeachment of the President of India.
10	Vacancy & Casual Vacancy	Article 62	It includes the provisions of the term and vacancy of President of India.
11	Immunity	Article 361	The President shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of powers. No criminal proceedings during his/her term.

1. Initiation: The charges are initiated in either House of Parliament and signed by at least 1/4th of the total members of the house.
2. Notice: A 14-day written notice is sent to the President of India.
3. First House Approval: The initiating house passes the resolution by a 2/3rd majority of the total members of the house.
4. Final Vote: The 2nd house investigates the charges where the President may appear. If passed by a 2/3rd majority, the President is removed.

Till now, no president of India has ever been impeached.

Who is the President of India?

The President of India is the constitutional head of state. He or She is the formal executive authority under the constitution of India.

Who is the present President of India?

The present President of India is Droupadi Murmu. She assumed office on 25th July 2022.

Who is the Vice President of India?

The Vice President of India is C. P. Radhakrishnan. He took the oath of office on 12th September 2025.