Article 52 – The President of India
Quick Reference: Establishes the President
There shall be a President of India.
Article 53 – Executive power of the Union
Quick Reference: Vesting executive power in President
(1) The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union shall be vested in the President and the exercise thereof shall be regulated by law.
(3) Nothing in this article shall —
(a) be deemed to transfer to the President any functions conferred by any existing law on the Government of any State or other authority; or
(b) prevent Parliament from conferring by law functions on authorities other than the President.
Article 54 – Election of President
Quick Reference: President elected by electoral college
The President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of —
(a) the elected members of both Houses of Parliament; and
(b) the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
Explanation: In this article and in article 55, “State” includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union territory of Pondicherry.
Article 55 – Manner of election of President
Quick Reference: How Presidential election is conducted
(1) As far as may be, there shall be uniformity in the scale of representation of different States at the election of President.
(2) For the purpose of securing such uniformity among the States inter se as well as parity between the States as a whole and the Union, the number of votes which each elected member of Parliament and of the Legislative Assembly of each State is entitled to cast at such election shall be determined in the following manner…… (full formula as in Constitution).
Article 56 – Term of office of President
Quick Reference: President’s term
The President shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office: Provided that —
(a) he may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice‑President, resign his office;
(b) he may be removed from his office by impeachment under article 61.
Article 57 – Eligibility for re‑election
Quick Reference: President may be re‑elected
Subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, a person who holds or who has held office as President shall be eligible for re‑election to that office.
Article 58 – Qualifications for election as President
Quick Reference: Qualifications required
A person shall not be eligible for election as President unless —
(a) he is a citizen of India;
(b) has completed the age of thirty‑five years; and
(c) is qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.
Article 59 – Conditions of President’s office
Quick Reference: Conditions of President’s office
(1) The President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State and if a member be elected President, he shall vacate his seat.
(2) The President shall not hold any other office of profit.
(3) The President shall be entitled to use official residences without payment and shall have emoluments as determined by Parliament.
(4) Emoluments shall not be diminished during his term of office.
Article 60 – Oath or affirmation by the President
Quick Reference: President’s oath
Every President … shall make and subscribe before the Chief Justice of India or senior Judge an oath or affirmation to faithfully execute the office and defend the Constitution and law.
Article 61 – Procedure for impeachment of the President
Quick Reference: How to impeach President
(1) … Charge preferred by either House of Parliament.
(2) No charge unless a resolution is moved with notice by at least one‑fourth members…
… If resolution passed by two‑thirds majority of House… President removed from office.
Article 62 – Time of holding election and term upon casual vacancy
Quick Reference: Filling Presidential vacancy
(1) Election to fill vacancy … completed before term expiration.
(2) Election after vacancy shall be held as soon as possible, not later than six months.
Article 63 – The Vice‑President of India
Quick Reference: Establishes Vice‑President
There shall be a Vice‑President of India.
Article 64 – The Vice‑President to be ex‑officio Chairman of the Council of States
Quick Reference: Vice‑President chairs Rajya Sabha
The Vice‑President shall be ex‑officio Chairman of the Council of States and shall not hold any other office of profit.
Article 65 – Vice‑President to act as President, etc.
Quick Reference: VP acts as President
(1) If vacancy occurs in President’s office… Vice‑President shall act as President…
(3) VP, while acting, shall have all powers and immunities of the President.
Article 66 – Election of Vice‑President
Quick Reference: How VP is elected
(1) The Vice‑President shall be elected by members of both Houses of Parliament by proportional representation and secret ballot.
(2) The Vice‑President shall not be member of either House of Parliament…
(3) & (4) Eligibility provisions as Constitution specifies.
Article 67 – Term of office of Vice‑President
Quick Reference: VP’s term
The Vice‑President shall hold office for five years from the date he enters office…
Article 68 – [Election to fill vacancy in office of Vice‑President]
Quick Reference: Filling VP vacancy
(1) An election to fill vacancy in the office of Vice‑President … as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs.
Article 69 – Oath or affirmation by the Vice‑President
Quick Reference: VP’s oath
Every Vice‑President … shall make and subscribe before the President or some person appointed by him an oath or affirmation …
Article 70 – Matters relating to election of President or Vice‑President
Quick Reference: Disputes on election
All doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice‑President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision shall be final.
Article 71 – Matters relating to or connected with election of President or Vice‑President
Quick Reference: Election disputes final by SC
All disputes relating to the election of President or Vice‑President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision is final.
Article 72 – Power of President to grant pardons, etc.
Quick Reference: Presidential pardoning powers
The President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or remit, suspend or commute sentences in certain cases specified by law.
Article 73 – Extent of executive power of the Union
Quick Reference: Scope of Union executive powers
Subject to the Constitution, the executive power of the Union extends to matters Parliament can legislate on and to exercise rights, authority, and jurisdiction exercisable by Government of India under any treaty.
Article 74 – Council of Ministers to aid and advise President
Quick Reference: Ministries advise President
There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall act in accordance with such advice; and the question whether any advice was tendered shall not be inquired into in any court.
Article 75 – Other provisions as to Ministers
Quick Reference: Appointment and responsibility of Ministers
The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and other Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister; Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President; collective responsibility to Lok Sabha; oath of office and secrecy under Third Schedule;
Article 76 – Attorney‑General for India
Quick Reference: Chief legal advisor to Government
The President shall appoint a person qualified to be a Supreme Court judge to be Attorney‑General for India. Duties: give advice to Government of India on legal matters; perform other legal functions assigned; right of audience in all courts; holds office during President’s pleasure with remuneration as determined by President.
Article 77 – Conduct of business of Government of India
Quick Reference: Government business procedures
(1) All executive action of Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in name of President;
(2) Orders/instruments made in President’s name shall be authenticated as specified by rules made by President;
(3) President shall make rules for more convenient transaction of Government business and allocation among Ministers.
Article 78 – Duties of Prime Minister as respects President
Quick Reference: PM’s duties to President
(a) communicate to President all decisions of Council of Ministers related to administration and proposals for legislation;
(b) furnish information relating to administration and proposals as President may call for;
(c) if requested, submit for consideration matters on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but not yet considered by Council of Ministers.
Article 79 – Constitution of Parliament
Quick Reference: Parliament’s composition
There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses, to be known as the Council of States and the House of the People.
Article 80 – Composition of the Council of States
Quick Reference: Rajya Sabha membership
(1) The Council of States shall consist of — (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President; and (b) representatives of the States and of the Union territories;
(2) Allocation and election of seats as per Fourth Schedule; (3) Representative election by State Legislative Assemblies in proportionate representation system; (4) Union territory representation as prescribed by Parliament law.