The position of the President in India is of utmost significance, serving as both the Head of the State and the Head of the Government. This article presents a comprehensive list of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023, highlighting their contributions and the historical context in which they served.
General Awareness Importance
General Awareness is a crucial section in various government sector exams, including banking and SSC exams. Success in interviews often hinges on a candidate’s general awareness. This section not only tests knowledge but also awareness of current events. Hence, a thorough preparation of this section is vital for success in both the main examination and interviews.
The Role of the President
The President, as the constitutional head of India’s parliamentary system, represents the nation globally. It’s important to note that while the President symbolizes the country, the actual power lies with the council of ministers.
List of Presidents: 1950 to 2023
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950-1962)
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, played a vital role in the noncooperation movement for independence alongside Mahatma Gandhi. A politician, lawyer, and journalist, he was also the President of the Indian National Congress party.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| January 26, 1950 | May 13, 1962 | First President of the Republic of India |
2. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962-1967)
Elected as the second President, Dr. Radhakrishnan, an Indian philosopher and statesman, previously served as the first Vice President of India.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| May 13, 1962 | May 13, 1967 | Philosopher and statesman |
3. Dr. Zakir Hussain (1967-1969)
Dr. Zakir Hussain, the first Muslim President, had a short-lived presidency due to his untimely death. He was also Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| May 13, 1967 | May 3, 1969 | First Muslim President of India |
4. Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1969-1974)
Varahagiri Venkata Giri, the fourth President, initially served as an acting President after the death of Zakir Hussain.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| August 24, 1969 | August 24, 1974 | Fourth President of India |
5. Mohammad Hidayatullah (Acting: July 20, 1969 – August 24, 1969)
Acting President between Giri’s presidencies, Mohammad Hidayatullah served briefly.
6. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974-1977)
Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the fifth President, faced controversy during the proclamation of emergency in 1975.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| August 24, 1974 | February 11, 1977 | Fifth President of India |
7. Basappa Danappa Jatti (Acting: February 11, 1977 – July 25, 1977)
Chief Minister of Mysore turned President after Ahmed’s death.
8. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977-1982)
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth President, served unopposed and was associated with both Janata Party and Indian National Congress.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1977 | July 25, 1982 | Sixth President of India |
9. Giani Zail Singh (1982-1987)
Giani Zail Singh, the seventh President, faced a controversial period marked by Operation Blue Star.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1982 | July 25, 1987 | Seventh President of India |
10. Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1987-1992)
Ramaswamy Venkataraman, a freedom fighter, was the eighth President and held various key positions before his presidency.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1987 | July 25, 1992 | Eighth President of India |
11. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992-1997)
Shankar Dayal Sharma, the ninth President, had a diverse political career, serving as Vice President and Chief Minister.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1992 | July 25, 1997 | Ninth President of India |
12. Kocheril Raman Narayanan (1997-2002)
Kocheril Raman Narayanan, the tenth President, was a distinguished diplomat and the first from the Dalit community to hold the post.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 1997 | July 25, 2002 | Tenth President of India |
13. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002-2007)
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President, was a renowned scientist and played a key role in India’s missile development.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2002 | July 25, 2007 | Eleventh President of India |
14. Pratibha Patil (2007-2012)
Pratibha Patil, the twelfth President, made history as the first woman to hold the position.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2007 | July 25, 2012 | Twelfth President of India |
15. Pranab Mukherjee (2012-2017)
Dr. Pranab Mukherjee, the thirteenth President, was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress party.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2012 | July 25, 2017 | Thirteenth President of India |
16. Shri Ram Nath Kovind (2017-2022)
Ram Nath Kovind, the fourteenth President, served as the 36th Governor of Bihar and was a member of Parliament and Rajya Sabha.
| Starting Date | Closing Date | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2017 | July 25, 2022 | Fourteenth President of India |
17. Draupadi Murmu (2022-Present)
Draupadi Murmu, the fifteenth President, is the first tribal and second woman to hold the office.
| Starting Date | Status | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2022 | Working | Fifteenth President of India |
Eligibility Criteria for President of India
The Indian constitution, in Article 58, outlines the eligibility rules for the President of India. Key criteria include:
- The President must be a citizen of India.
- The President must be above 35 years of age.
- The President should be a member of the Lok Sabha and qualified for standing in elections.
- The President should not hold any office of profit under the State Government, Union, and other local authorities.
Position of the President
The President holds the highest honor, dignity, and prestige in the nation. As the head of the state, all executive power of the Union is vested in the President. Key powers and responsibilities include:
- Serving as the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.
- Granting assent to bills passed by Parliament for them to become laws.
- Having the power to grant pardons, reprives, respites, or remissions of punishment.
- Proclaiming a state of Emergency or financial emergency in the country.
Election and Tenure
The President of India is elected indirectly by an Electoral College through a proportional representation system using a single transferable vote system. The President is elected for a tenure of 5 years but is eligible for immediate re-election, with no limit on the number of terms.
In conclusion, the List of Presidents of India reflects the diverse and dynamic leadership that has shaped the nation since its independence in 1947. Each President has left a unique imprint on the country, contributing to its growth and development.