🏛️ President of India List: A Comprehensive Historical Journey (1950–2025)

The President of India is the ceremonial head of state and the highest constitutional authority in the Republic of India. Since the adoption of the Constitution on 26th January 1950, India has witnessed a dynamic evolution of this role through distinguished leaders who have held this prestigious position. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the list of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2025, their backgrounds, contributions, and the constitutional significance of the position.

 

President of India List

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Role and Powers of the President
3. Eligibility Criteria
4. Election Process
5. List of Presidents of India (1950–2025)
6. Key Milestones and Firsts
7. Conclusion
8. FAQs

 

Role and Powers of the President of India

The President of India is often referred to as the constitutional head of the state. Though largely a symbolic role, the President plays a vital part in safeguarding the Indian Constitution and functioning as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Key Functions:

• Appointment of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
• Summoning and dissolving Parliament
• Approving Bills passed by Parliament
• Emergency powers (under Articles 352, 356, and 360)
• Issuing ordinances when Parliament is not in session

 

Eligibility Criteria for the President of India

To be eligible for the post of President, a person must:

• Be a citizen of India
• Be at least 35 years of age
• Be qualified to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha
• Not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any state government

 

Election Process

The President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College consisting of:

• Elected members of both Houses of Parliament
• Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories

The election follows a single transferable vote system and is conducted by secret ballot.

 

🗳️ List of Presidents of India (1950–2025)

Below is the detailed list of Presidents of India, their tenure, and key facts.

S.No.	Name	Tenure	Notable Facts
1	Dr. Rajendra Prasad	1950–1962	First President; Only one to serve two full terms
2	Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	1962–1967	Celebrated philosopher; Teacher's Day is celebrated on his birthday
3	Dr. Zakir Husain	1967–1969	First Muslim President; died in office
4	V. V. Giri (Acting & Elected)	1969–1974	Only person elected as an independent candidate
5	Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed	1974–1977	Declared Emergency in 1975 on Indira Gandhi's advice
6	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	1977–1982	Youngest ever President; first to be elected unopposed
7	Giani Zail Singh	1982–1987	First Sikh President
8	R. Venkataraman	1987–1992	Former Defence and Finance Minister
9	Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma	1992–1997	Former Vice President and Governor of MP
10	K. R. Narayanan	1997–2002	First Dalit President; former ambassador to the USA
11	Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam	2002–2007	Known as the "Missile Man of India"
12	Pratibha Patil	2007–2012	First woman President
13	Pranab Mukherjee	2012–2017	Former Finance and External Affairs Minister
14	Ram Nath Kovind	2017–2022	Second Dalit President; former Governor of Bihar
15	Droupadi Murmu	2022–Present	First tribal woman President; youngest to assume office

 

Profiles of Selected Presidents

1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

• The only President to serve two full terms (12 years).
• A lawyer and independence activist.
• Played a major role in Constituent Assembly debates.

2. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

• A scientist turned statesman.
• Instrumental in India's missile and nuclear programs.
• Popularly known as the "People's President."

3. Pratibha Patil

• First and only woman to hold the position till date.
• Former Governor of Rajasthan.

4. Droupadi Murmu

• First tribal and second woman President.
• Former Governor of Jharkhand.
• Represents the marginalized and tribal communities of India.

 

Timeline of Presidents of India (Infographic Description)

We can visually represent the timeline of Indian Presidents across decades as:

📅 1950s–60s: Foundational years
📅 1970s–80s: Political turbulence and Emergency
📅 1990s: Liberalization and modernization era
📅 2000s–2020s: Diverse and inclusive representation

 

Key Milestones and Firsts

Record	President	Note
First President	Dr. Rajendra Prasad	Took office on 26 January 1950
First Woman President	Pratibha Patil	2007–2012
First Dalit President	K. R. Narayanan	1997–2002
First Tribal Woman President	Droupadi Murmu	2022–Present
First Muslim President	Dr. Zakir Husain	1967–1969
First Sikh President	Giani Zail Singh	1982–1987
First Independent President	V. V. Giri	1969–1974

 

Presidents Who Died in Office

President	Year of Death	Circumstances
Dr. Zakir Husain	1969	Died in office; succeeded by Acting President V. V. Giri
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed	1977	Died during Emergency

 

Acting Presidents of India

When the sitting President dies or resigns, the Vice President or Chief Justice of India may act as President temporarily.

Acting President	Period	Reason
V. V. Giri	May 1969–July 1969	After Zakir Husain’s death
B. D. Jatti	Feb 1977–July 1977	After Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s death

 

The President’s Residence: Rashtrapati Bhavan

• Located in New Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhavan is among the world’s largest residences of a Head of State.
• Originally built as the Viceroy's House during British rule.
• Comprises 340 rooms, Mughal Gardens, and the Durbar Hall.

 

Presidential Salary and Perks

• Salary: ₹5 lakh/month (as of 2023)
• Perks: Security cover, official residences, lifetime pension, secretarial staff, etc.

 

Conclusion

The President of India is more than just a ceremonial figurehead. The journey from Dr. Rajendra Prasad to Droupadi Murmu highlights the evolving face of India — from a young republic to an inclusive and robust democracy. The diversity in representation, backgrounds, and ideologies among Presidents of India is a testament to the strength and flexibility of Indian democracy.

As India progresses, the President continues to play a crucial symbolic and constitutional role, ensuring the nation stays grounded in its foundational values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

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FAQs on Presidents of India

Q1. Who was the first President of India?

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who served from 1950 to 1962.

Q2. Who is the first woman President of India?

Pratibha Patil, elected in 2007.

Q3. Who is the current President of India (as of 2025)?

Droupadi Murmu, serving since 25 July 2022.

Q4. How many Presidents has India had till now?

India has had 15 Presidents till 2025 (excluding acting Presidents).

Q5. Who was known as the “People’s President”?

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, beloved for his humility and scientific achievements.