The President of India serves as the Head of State, embodying the nation's unity and integrity. As of 2024, this esteemed position is held by Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Understanding the role and responsibilities of the President provides valuable insight into India's governance and political landscape. In this article, we'll explore the current President, her background, and the significant functions she performs in the Indian government. Let's dive in and get to know the leader who represents India on both national and international stages.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu: The Current President

Smt. Droupadi Murmu assumed office as the President of India on July 25, 2022. Her journey to the highest office in the country is nothing short of inspiring. Born in a humble tribal family in Odisha, her rise to the presidency is a testament to her perseverance, dedication, and commitment to public service. Before becoming the President, she served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, demonstrating her administrative acumen and leadership capabilities. Murmu's election is particularly significant as she is the first tribal woman to hold the position of President of India and the second woman overall, after Pratibha Patil. Her background and experiences have shaped her approach to governance, emphasizing inclusivity, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized communities. As President, she plays a crucial role in upholding the Constitution, safeguarding democratic values, and promoting the welfare of the citizens of India. Her presence is a symbol of hope and progress, inspiring millions across the nation. She is actively involved in various social initiatives, advocating for education, healthcare, and sustainable development. Furthermore, her interactions with global leaders underscore India's commitment to international cooperation and peace. Droupadi Murmu's presidency is marked by her dedication to serving the nation with integrity and compassion, making her a role model for future generations.

The Role and Responsibilities of the President

The President of India plays a pivotal role in the country's governance structure. As the Head of State, the President is the ceremonial head of the executive branch, representing the nation on all formal occasions. However, the President's functions extend far beyond ceremonial duties. One of the primary responsibilities is to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of India. This involves ensuring that all laws and policies are in accordance with the constitutional framework. The President also appoints key officials, including the Prime Minister, other cabinet ministers, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and governors of states. These appointments are made on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The President also has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute sentences in certain cases. This power is exercised on the advice of the government. Furthermore, the President plays a significant role in the legislative process. All bills passed by the Parliament must receive the President's assent before becoming law. The President also has the power to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the Parliament. In times of national emergency, the President can declare a state of emergency based on the advice of the government. This allows the central government to take necessary measures to protect the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the country. The President also serves as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, symbolizing civilian control over the military. In international affairs, the President represents India in diplomatic engagements, receives credentials from foreign ambassadors, and participates in international summits and conferences. The President's role is thus a blend of ceremonial duties, constitutional responsibilities, and executive functions, all aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of the government and the well-being of the nation.

Powers and Functions of the Indian President

The President of India possesses a range of powers and functions that are essential for the effective governance of the country. These powers can be broadly categorized into executive, legislative, financial, judicial, and emergency powers. In terms of executive powers, the President appoints the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament). The President also appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister, allocating portfolios and ensuring the smooth functioning of the government. All executive actions of the government are taken in the name of the President. As for legislative powers, the President summons and prorogues sessions of Parliament and can dissolve the Lok Sabha. The President addresses the joint session of Parliament at the commencement of the first session after each general election and at the beginning of each year, outlining the government's policies and programs. Every bill passed by Parliament must receive the President's assent to become law. The President can also promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session, which have the force of law. These ordinances must be approved by Parliament within a specified period. Financial powers include the President's role in the presentation of the Union Budget to Parliament. No money bill can be introduced in Parliament except on the recommendation of the President. The President also constitutes the Finance Commission, which recommends the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the states. In the realm of judicial powers, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The President also has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute sentences in cases of convictions by a court-martial or in cases where the punishment is for an offense against a Union law. Emergency powers are invoked when the security of India or any part thereof is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. The President can declare a state of emergency, allowing the central government to take necessary measures to protect the country's sovereignty and integrity. These powers and functions collectively underscore the President's critical role in upholding the Constitution, ensuring the rule of law, and promoting the welfare of the citizens of India.

How is the President of India Elected?

The election process for the President of India is unique and designed to ensure representation of both the Union and the States. Unlike direct elections where citizens cast their votes, the President is elected by an Electoral College. This Electoral College comprises elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all the States, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Nominated members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, as well as members of Legislative Councils, do not participate in the Presidential election. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting is by secret ballot. To ensure uniformity in the value of votes cast by different states, a formula is used to determine the value of each MLA's vote. This value is calculated by dividing the total population of the state by the total number of elected members in the Legislative Assembly, and then dividing the result by 1000. Similarly, the value of each Member of Parliament's (MP) vote is determined by dividing the total value of votes of all the MLAs of all the states by the total number of elected members of Parliament. This ensures that each state's population is adequately represented in the election process. The election is conducted by the Election Commission of India, which announces the schedule, conducts the polls, and declares the results. A candidate must secure more than 50% of the total votes to be declared the winner. If no candidate achieves this threshold in the first round of counting, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the second preference indicated on the ballot papers. This process continues until one candidate secures the required majority. The election of the President is a significant event in India's democratic process, symbolizing the unity and diversity of the nation.

Term and Impeachment of the President

The President of India holds office for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon their office. However, the President can resign from office at any time by submitting a written resignation to the Vice President. In addition to resignation, the President can also be removed from office through a process called impeachment. Impeachment is a quasi-judicial procedure initiated by either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) for violation of the Constitution. The process begins with the moving of a resolution containing the charge, which must be supported by at least one-fourth of the total number of members of the House. The resolution is then sent to the President, who has the right to defend themselves. After the resolution is moved, it is investigated by the other House of Parliament. During the investigation, the President has the right to appear and be represented. If, after the investigation, the investigating House passes the resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of that House, the President stands impeached from their office from the date on which the resolution is so passed. It's important to note that no President of India has ever been impeached. Upon the expiration of the term or removal of the President, the Vice President assumes the office of the President until a new President is elected. If the office of the Vice President is also vacant, the Chief Justice of India, or if that office is also vacant, the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court available assumes the responsibilities of the President. The election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of the President is required to be completed before the expiration of the term. In case of a vacancy caused by death, resignation, or removal, the election must be held as soon as possible, and in any case, not later than six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy. The term and impeachment process of the President ensure accountability and adherence to the constitutional framework, safeguarding the democratic principles of the nation.