This article covers SSC Polity President PPT Slides (LEC #10) (भारत के राष्ट्रपति), part of the Complete Foundation Batch PPT Series at slideshareppt.net. The President of India is one of the highest-frequency topics in SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, and MTS exams. Questions are asked on qualifications, election procedure, powers (executive, legislative, military, pardoning), veto powers, ordinance-making, impeachment, the list of all Presidents, and Article 74. This article covers the complete 99-slide PPT with all exam-relevant details.
Note: Above is PPT in GOOGLE SLIDES (HTML AND IFRAME COMBINATION) and if you wish to download the Complete SSC series (PPT slides), Simply visit this redirect page – REDIRECT PAGE.
1. President of India – Constitutional Position
The President is the constitutional head of the Indian Union (Article 52)
Executive power of the Union vested in the President (Article 53)
President exercises executive power on the advice of the Council of Ministers with PM at head (Article 74)
India has a parliamentary system – President is the nominal/constitutional head; PM is the real executive head
President is elected, not hereditary – this makes India a Republic
The President is part of Parliament (Article 79) – Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (Article 53(2))
2. Qualifications and Disqualifications – Article 58
Qualification
Disqualification
Must be a citizen of India
Holds any office of profit under GoI, state government, or any local authority
Must have completed 35 years of age
Is of unsound mind (declared by court)
Must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
Is an undischarged insolvent
Must not hold any office of profit
Is not qualified under any law made by Parliament
A sitting President or VP, Governor of any state, or Minister of Union or State is NOT disqualified
—
A sitting President, Vice President, Governor, or Union/State Minister is NOT disqualified – they are deemed to have vacated their office upon election as President
There is NO educational qualification required for the President
There is NO upper age limit for the President
3. Election of the President – Article 54 and 55
Feature
Details
Method
Indirect election by an Electoral College
Electoral College members
Elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha) + Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States and UTs (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K)
NOT included in Electoral College
Nominated members of Parliament; nominated members of State Legislative Assemblies; members of State Legislative Councils (MLCs); members of UT legislatures other than Delhi, Puducherry, J&K
Voting method
Single Transferable Vote system (Proportional Representation)
Value of MP vote
Total value of all MLA votes ÷ Total number of elected MPs
Value of MLA vote
Total population of state ÷ (Number of elected MLAs × 1000)
How winner decided
Candidate must secure more than 50% of total valid votes (not just plurality)
Oath administered by
Chief Justice of India (or senior-most judge of Supreme Court)
Election disputes
Decided by Supreme Court (Article 71); SC’s decision is final
Vacancy must be filled within
6 months of vacancy arising
Value of Votes – Formula
Value of each MLA’s vote = Population of State ÷ (Number of elected MLAs × 1000)
Value of each MP’s vote = Total value of all MLA votes ÷ Total number of elected MPs
The system ensures parity between the votes of Parliament and state assemblies collectively
The process uses Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV)
In STV, voter marks preferences (1st, 2nd, 3rd choice) – a candidate needs to cross the quota to win
4. Oath, Term, Salary, and Removal
Oath – Article 60
Oath of the President administered by the Chief Justice of India
If CJI is not available, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court administers the oath
The President swears to faithfully execute the office; preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution; devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India
Term and Conditions – Article 56
Term: 5 years from the date of entering office
Can be re-elected any number of times – no bar on re-election
Only Dr. Rajendra Prasad served two full terms (1950–1962)
President can resign by writing to the Vice President (Article 56(1)(a))
President holds office until successor enters office even after expiry of term
Salary and Privileges
Salary: Rs. 5 lakh per month (revised by Parliament in 2018)
Official residence: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (340 rooms – world’s largest presidential palace)
Salary charged to Consolidated Fund of India – cannot be reduced during term
Personal immunity – no criminal proceedings can be initiated against sitting President
No civil proceedings against President during term for acts done in personal capacity without 2 months’ prior notice
Impeachment – Article 61
President can be removed only by impeachment for violation of the Constitution
Charges can be initiated in either House of Parliament
Resolution must be passed by 2/3 majority of total membership of that House
14 days’ prior written notice required signed by at least 1/4 of total members of that House
Other House investigates the charges; if it also passes by 2/3 majority of total membership – President stands removed
Nominated members of Parliament and elected members of state assemblies DO NOT participate in impeachment
No President of India has been impeached till date
5. Powers of the President – Complete Table
Type of Power
Article
Key Power
Executive – Appointment
Article 75
Appoints Prime Minister; appoints other ministers on PM’s advice
Executive – Appointment
Article 155
Appoints Governors of states
Executive – Appointment
Article 124
Appoints Chief Justice and judges of Supreme Court
Executive – Appointment
Article 217
Appoints Chief Justice and judges of High Courts
Executive – Appointment
Article 148
Appoints Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Executive – Appointment
Article 280
Appoints Finance Commission
Executive – Appointment
Article 338
Appoints National Commission for SCs
Legislative – Summoning
Article 85
Summons, prorogues Parliament; dissolves Lok Sabha
Legislative – Address
Article 86
Addresses both Houses; sends messages to Houses
Legislative – First Address
Article 87
Addresses first session after general election and first session of each year
Legislative – Nomination
Article 80(3)
Nominates 12 members to Rajya Sabha (arts, literature, science, social service)
Legislative – Nomination
Article 331
Nominates 2 Anglo-Indian members to Lok Sabha (till 104th Amendment 2020)
Legislative – Assent to Bills
Article 111
Can give assent, withhold assent, or return Bill (except Money Bills)
Military
Article 53(2)
Supreme Commander of Defence Forces
Diplomatic
Article 53(1)
All international treaties in name of President
Pardoning
Article 72
Pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, commutation of sentences
Emergency – National
Article 352
Proclaim National Emergency on written advice of Cabinet
Emergency – State
Article 356
Impose President’s Rule in a state
Emergency – Financial
Article 360
Proclaim Financial Emergency
Ordinance
Article 123
Issue Ordinances when Parliament is not in session
6. Executive Powers in Detail
Article 74 – Council of Ministers
There shall be a Council of Ministers with PM at head to aid and advise the President in exercise of his functions
After 42nd Amendment 1976: President shall act in accordance with such advice
After 44th Amendment 1978: President may ask CoM to reconsider advice; but must act on advice given after reconsideration
This means in practice: President is bound by Cabinet advice
CoM’s advice to President is not subject to judicial review (Article 74(2))
Article 75 – Appointment of PM and Ministers
PM appointed by the President
Other ministers appointed by President on the advice of the PM
Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President
Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
Article 78 – Duties of Prime Minister
PM shall communicate to President all decisions of CoM relating to administration of Union affairs and proposals for legislation
Furnish information as President may call for
Submit matters for consideration by CoM if President so requires
7. Legislative Powers of the President
Summoning, Prorogation, and Dissolution – Article 85
President summons each House of Parliament from time to time
Gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months
President prorogues Parliament (terminates a session)
President can dissolve Lok Sabha (on advice of PM)
Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved – it is a permanent House
Address and Message – Articles 86 and 87
Article 86(1) – President may address either or both Houses
Article 86(2) – President may send messages to either House
Article 87 – Special Address: President addresses both Houses assembled together at commencement of the first session after each general election and at commencement of the first session of each year
8. Veto Powers of the President on Bills – Article 111
When a Bill (other than a Money Bill) is presented to the President after being passed by both Houses of Parliament, the President has three options:
Type of Veto
When Used
Constitutional Provision
Example
Absolute Veto
President withholds assent to a bill – bill fails permanently
Article 111 – for ordinary bills; Article 200 – for state bills reserved for President
Used by President Rajendra Prasad for PEPSU Appropriation Bill (1954)
Suspensive Veto
President returns bill (except Money Bill) to Parliament for reconsideration; if Parliament passes again with or without amendments, President must give assent
Article 111
Can be overridden by Parliament re-passing the bill
Pocket Veto
President neither gives assent nor returns the bill – keeps it pending indefinitely; no time limit for President to act
Article 111 does not specify time limit
Giani Zail Singh used pocket veto on Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill 1986
No Veto on Money Bills
President cannot withhold assent or return a Money Bill; must give assent
Article 109 + Article 111
Money Bills sent to President after Lok Sabha passes; Rajya Sabha has no power to reject
Bills Requiring Prior Recommendation / Assent of President
Money Bill – can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with President’s recommendation (Article 117)
Financial Bill – requires President’s recommendation
Bill affecting taxation in which states are interested – requires President’s recommendation
Bill creating a new All India Service – requires Rajya Sabha’s recommendation
9. Ordinance-Making Power – Article 123
Feature
Details
Article
Article 123 – Ordinance-making power of President
When can be issued
When Parliament (both Houses) is not in session; President satisfied immediate action is required
Force and effect
Same force and effect as an Act of Parliament
Maximum life
6 weeks from reassembly of Parliament (both Houses must approve within 6 weeks of reassembly)
Can be withdrawn
By President at any time
Cannot be issued for
Any matter that Parliament cannot legislate on; cannot override Constitution
Judicial review
Ordinance can be challenged in court on grounds of malafide, excessive delegation, violation of FRs
State equivalent
Article 213 – Governor can issue Ordinances for state (same conditions)
RC Cooper Case (1970)
SC held ordinances are subject to judicial review
D.C. Wadhwa Case (1987)
SC held re-promulgation of ordinances without parliamentary approval is unconstitutional
10. Pardoning Power – Article 72
The President’s pardoning power is one of the most tested topics in SSC exams. There are five types:
Power
Meaning
When Applicable
Pardon
Complete absolution – removes both sentence and conviction; person treated as if never convicted
All cases including death sentence; court martial cases; cases involving Union law
Commutation
Substituting one form of punishment with a lighter one (e.g., death sentence → life imprisonment)
All offences
Remission
Reducing the quantum of punishment without changing its nature (e.g., 10 years → 5 years)
All offences
Respite
Awarding lesser punishment due to special circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, physical disability)
Special circumstances
Reprieve
Temporary suspension of a sentence, especially death penalty – to allow time for appeal
Mainly death sentence cases
Scope of President’s Pardoning Power – Article 72
Cases tried by court martial (military courts)
Cases involving offences against any law relating to a matter in the Union List
Cases where sentence is death – only President (not Governor) can grant pardon in death penalty cases
Governor’s pardoning power under Article 161 does NOT extend to death sentences and court martial cases
11. Emergency Powers of the President
Type of Emergency
Article
Grounds
Effect
National Emergency
352
War, external aggression, armed rebellion (earlier ‘internal disturbance’ – changed by 44th Amendment 1978)
Fundamental Rights under Art 19 automatically suspended; Centre can legislate on State List; President’s Rule can follow
President’s Rule (State Emergency)
356
Failure of constitutional machinery in a state; Governor’s report; President satisfied state cannot be governed per Constitution
State Legislature suspended/dissolved; Centre takes over state administration; Governor acts as agent of Centre
Financial Emergency
360
Financial stability or credit of India or any state is threatened
Centre can reduce salaries of all government employees including judges; state money bills require President’s assent
Key Facts on National Emergency for SSC
Proclaimed by President on written recommendation of Cabinet (44th Amendment 1978 – must be cabinet, not just PM)
Approved by both Houses of Parliament within 1 month by special majority (2/3 of members present + voting AND majority of total membership)
Continues for 6 months; can be extended by 6 months each time with fresh parliamentary approval
First National Emergency: 26 October 1962 (Chinese aggression)
Second National Emergency: 3 December 1971 (Pakistan war)
Third National Emergency (Internal): 25 June 1975 (internal disturbance) – most controversial
12. Vice President of India – Articles 63–71
Feature
Vice President
President
Constitutional Articles
Articles 63–71
Articles 52–62
Qualification
Same as President (citizen, 35 years, qualified for Rajya Sabha membership)
Citizen, 35 years, qualified for Lok Sabha membership
Election
By both Houses of Parliament (joint sitting); proportional representation by single transferable vote
By Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs)
Term
5 years
5 years
Ex-officio role
Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64)
—
Salary as VP
As VP – separate salary; as Chairman RS – entitled to Rajya Sabha Chairman salary
Separate salary and allowances
Can be removed?
By Rajya Sabha resolution passed by majority; agreed to by Lok Sabha
By impeachment under Article 61
Acts as President when
President is absent / incapacitated / vacancy (Article 65)
—
Oath administered by
President of India
Chief Justice of India
Key Facts on Vice President
VP is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64)
VP acts as President when President is absent/incapacitated or vacancy arises (Article 65)
When VP acts as President, he does not perform the duties of Chairman of Rajya Sabha
VP elected by both Houses of Parliament (joint electorate) – NOT by state assemblies
This is the key difference from President’s election (which includes MLAs)
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan served as VP (1952–1962) before becoming President
Current VP: Jagdeep Dhankhar (since August 2022)
13. List of All Presidents of India
#
President
Tenure
Notable Fact
1
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
1950–1962
First President; only President to serve two full terms; also President of Constituent Assembly
2
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
1962–1967
Philosopher-President; his birthday 5 Sep = Teachers’ Day
3
Dr. Zakir Husain
1967–1969
First Muslim President; first President to die in office
4
V.V. Giri
1969–1974
First acting President to become full President; won in second round of preferential votes
5
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
1974–1977
Second President to die in office; signed Emergency proclamation 1975
6
N. Sanjeeva Reddy
1977–1982
Unanimously elected (unopposed); only President elected unopposed
7
Giani Zail Singh
1982–1987
First Sikh President; used pocket veto on Postal Bill
8
R. Venkataraman
1987–1992
Longest-serving Finance Minister before becoming President
9
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
1992–1997
Earlier VP and Governor of several states
10
K.R. Narayanan
1997–2002
First Dalit President; first President to vote in state assembly elections
11
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
2002–2007
‘Missile Man of India’; ‘People’s President’; scientist-President
Can be re-elected any number of times (no limit); only Dr. Rajendra Prasad served two terms
Impeachment process
Article 61 – by Parliament; charges initiated by either House; 14 days notice; 2/3 majority of total membership of that House + majority of total membership of other House
First President of India
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962)
First woman President
Pratibha Patil (2007–2012)
First Dalit President
K.R. Narayanan (1997–2002)
First tribal President
Droupadi Murmu (2022–present)
Youngest President
Droupadi Murmu
President who died in office
Dr. Zakir Husain (1969) and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1977)
Unanimously elected President
N. Sanjeeva Reddy (1977) – only unopposed President
‘Missile Man’ President
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002–2007)
Pocket veto used by
Giani Zail Singh – on Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill 1986
Article 72 – Pardoning power
President can pardon, commute, remit, respite, reprieve sentences
Article 74 – Council of Ministers
CoM with PM at head to aid and advise President; President SHALL act on advice (44th Amendment 1978)
Article 78 – Duties of PM
PM must communicate all Cabinet decisions to President; furnish information as President requires
Can President act without PM’s advice?
No – after 44th Amendment 1978; President can ask CoM to reconsider but must act on advice given after reconsideration
Salary of President
Rs. 5 lakh per month (revised 2018)
Residence of President
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (340 rooms; largest residence of any head of state)
