Hello, my friends! Today, I’m taking you on a journey through time. We’ll be exploring the list of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023. It’s a fascinating journey, filled with remarkable individuals who have shaped the course of our nation’s history. So, let’s dive in!
The Role of the President in India
Before we dive into the list, let’s understand the role of the President in India. The President is the ceremonial head of state and the first citizen of India. They also serve as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces. The President’s role is largely ceremonial, but they do have some key responsibilities. They sign bills into law, represent the country at official functions, and have the power to declare war or a state of emergency.
List of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023
Now, let’s delve into the list of Indian Presidents from 1950 to 2023. This list includes some of the most influential figures in Indian history, who have left an indelible mark on our nation. From Dr. Rajendra Prasad, our first President, to the current holder of the office, each has played a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s destiny.
This table provides a comprehensive list of the Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023, along with their starting and ending dates, and a brief profile of each.
| Name | Starting Date | Ending Date | Brief Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad | January 26, 1950 | May 13, 1962 | First President of India, and the only one to have served two terms. |
| Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | May 13, 1962 | May 13, 1967 | A distinguished philosopher and teacher, he was also the first Vice President of India. |
| Dr. Zakir Husain | May 13, 1967 | May 3, 1969 | First Muslim President of India and the first to die in office. |
| V. V. Giri | August 24, 1969 | August 24, 1974 | Only person to have been both an acting President and a President. |
| Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed | August 24, 1974 | February 11, 1977 | Second President to die in office; his tenure witnessed the imposition of emergency. |
| Neelam Sanjiva Reddy | July 25, 1977 | July 25, 1982 | First Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he was the only person to be elected President unopposed. |
| Giani Zail Singh | July 25, 1982 | July 25, 1987 | First Sikh President of India, he served during Operation Blue Star. |
| R. Venkataraman | July 25, 1987 | July 25, 1992 | He served as Vice President of India before his presidency. |
| Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma | July 25, 1992 | July 25, 1997 | He served as the Vice President of India before his presidency. |
| K. R. Narayanan | July 25, 1997 | July 25, 2002 | First Dalit President and the first Malayali President of India. |
| Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam | July 25, 2002 | July 25, 2007 | Known as the “People’s President”, he was also a renowned scientist. |
| Pratibha Patil | July 25, 2007 | July 25, 2012 | First woman President of India. |
| Pranab Mukherjee | July 25, 2012 | July 25, 2017 | Served as a senior leader in the Indian National Congress before his presidency. |
| Ram Nath Kovind | July 25, 2017 | July 25, 2022 | Second Dalit President of India, he served as the Governor of Bihar before his presidency. |
| Droupadi Murmu | July 21st, 2022 | Incumbent | Droupadi Murmu is an Indian politician and former teacher who is serving as the 15th and current President of India since 2022 |
Notable Achievements of Some Presidents
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Each President has contributed significantly to the nation. To begin with, for instance, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, known as the “People’s President”, was instrumental in advancing India’s space and nuclear programs. Following his example, Pratibha Patil, our first female President, broke the glass ceiling and served as a role model for women across the country. These accomplishments are notable, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Following are just a few examples of the many achievements of our Presidents. In addition to these accomplishments, each of these Presidents has left a lasting legacy. Not only have they shaped the course of our nation’s history, but they also continue to inspire future generations.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, played a crucial role in drafting the Indian Constitution. His leadership and statesmanship during the early years of independence helped shape the nation’s democratic foundations.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher and scholar, used his presidency to promote education and culture. We celebrates his birthday as Teacher’s Day, reflecting his dedication to education.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Known as the “People’s President”, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was instrumental in advancing India’s space and nuclear programs. His vision for India’s development and emphasis on education continue to inspire millions.
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil, the first female President of India, broke the glass ceiling in Indian politics. Her presidency symbolized the growing empowerment of women in India.
Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee, a veteran politician, brought a wealth of experience to the presidency. He marked his tenure with efforts to improve the functioning of the Parliament and to promote transparency in governance.
The Process of Electing the President in India
An electoral college, which includes the elected members of both houses of Parliament, as well as the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories, elects the President of India. This process is a testament to the democratic values of our nation, ensuring that the President represents the will of the people. Here is the in-depth process of Electing the President of our nation:
The Electoral College
An electoral college, not the general public, elects the President of India. This electoral college comprises the elected members of both houses of Parliament, and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union territories. Nominated members of Parliament or State Assemblies do not have the right to vote in this election.
The Voting Process
The voting process for the Presidential election is carried out through a secret ballot. Members of the electoral college cast their vote in a preferential system. This means that they can mark their first, second, and subsequent choices for the Presidential candidates. The votes are then counted, and if no candidate receives a majority of the first preference votes, the candidate with the least number of first preference votes is eliminated. The second preference votes of this candidate are then distributed among the remaining candidates. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the votes.
The Value of Votes
Interestingly, not all votes in the Presidential election carry the same value. The value of the vote of an MP is the same throughout the country. However, the value of the vote of an MLA varies from state to state. This is because the value of an MLA’s vote is proportional to the population of their state.
The Oath of Office
Once elected, the President-elect is required to take an oath of office before entering upon his duties. This oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India. In the oath, the President-elect swears to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law” and to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India.
The Recap
The Presidents of India have played a crucial role in shaping our nation. They have been the guiding force, leading us towards progress and prosperity. As we look back at the list of Presidents from 1950 to 2023, we are reminded of the strength of our democracy and the power of leadership.
FAQs on Presidents of India
- Who is the current President of India?
- Droupadi Murmu is the 15th and current president, having taken office from 25 July 2022.
Who was the 2nd President of India?
The second President of India was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He served as the President of India from 1962 to 1967. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a distinguished philosopher, scholar, and academician. He was also the first Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962.
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s contributions to the field of philosophy were profound, and he was instrumental in introducing Indian philosophy to the Western world. He was honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1954. His birthday, September 5th, is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to education and learning.
- Who was the longest-serving President of India?
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad served the longest term as President of India, from 1950 to 1962.
- Has any President of India served more than one term?
- Yes, Dr. Rajendra Prasad is the only President of India who has served more than one term.
- Who was the youngest President of India?
- Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was the youngest President of India. He took office at the age of 64.
- Can the President of India be impeached?
- Yes, the President of India can be impeached for violation of the Constitution, but no President has been impeached to date.
- What are the qualifications to become President of India?
- The candidate must be a citizen of India, must be at least 35 years old, must be qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.
- What is the term of office of the President of India?
- The President of India holds office for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon their office.
- Who was the first President of India to die in office?
- Dr. Zakir Husain was the first President of India to die in office.
- Who succeeded the President of India if they died in office?
- If the President of India dies in office, the Vice President of India assumes the role until a new President is elected.
- What is the salary of the President of India?
- The President of India receives a monthly salary of Rs. 5 lakh.
