Lecture on the President and Vice-President of India

Role and Responsibilities of the President

• The President is the head of the Indian Union and the supreme commander of the defense forces.
• Serves as the first citizen of India.
• Qualifications:
  • Must be a citizen of India.
  • Minimum age of 35 years.
  • Must meet all the criteria for Lok Sabha elections.
  • Cannot hold any office of profit.
• Indirect election through an Electoral College consisting of elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state legislative assemblies.
• Nominated members do not participate in electing the President.
• Requires at least 50 proposers and 50 seconders for candidature.

Election System

• Uses the system of proportional representation via single transferable vote.
• Voting power of state assembly members is based on population.
• If no candidate gets an absolute majority, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and votes are transferred to remaining candidates based on preferences.

Term and Removal

• President serves a term of 5 years but holds office until a new President is appointed or if the President resigns.
• Resignation is submitted to the Vice-President.
• Can be removed via impeachment:
  • Requires a 14-day notice and a resolution supported by at least one-fourth of the total members of either house.
  • Investigation follows, and if charges are proven, a two-thirds majority from both houses is needed for removal.

Powers of the President

• Executive Powers:
  • Appoints Prime Ministers, Governors, Judges, etc.
  • Can dissolve Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Can declare national, state, and financial emergencies.
  • Signs bills into law.
  • Holds discretionary powers in certain situations, such as appointing a Prime Minister in a hung parliament or after the sudden death of a Prime Minister.

Types of Emergencies

• National Emergency: Declared during war or external aggression, approved by Parliament within one month. Fundamental rights may be suspended.
• State Emergency: Declared if a state's constitutional machinery breaks down.
• Financial Emergency: Declared during financial instability, affecting salaries and financial management.

Vice-President

• Acts as President in the absence or incapacity of the President.
• Serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Elected by an Electoral College consisting of members of both houses of Parliament.
• Term of office is 5 years.
• Can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority in Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by Lok Sabha.

Conclusion

• The President is the constitutional head of India, with extensive executive, legislative, and emergency powers.
• Vice-President supports as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and acts as President when necessary.