The President

The President: The President is the head of the state. In our political system, the head of the state exercises only nominal powers. Thus, the President is like the Queen of Britain, whose functions are to a large extent ceremonial. The President supervises the overall functioning of all the political institutions in the country, so that they operate in harmony to achieve the objectives of the state.

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Sample Questions

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Question : 1

Which among the following is not the qualification to be elected as President of India?
A. Completed the age of 35 years
B. Qualified for election as member of the house of people
C. Must be citizen of India
D. Qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Explanation

PARLIAMENT

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. The Indian Parliament comprises of the President and the two Houses - Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The first general elections under the new Constitution were held during the year 1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into existence in April, 1952.

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha should consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members. Each member is elected for a term of six years. The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. Besides, there is also a panel of "Vice Chairmen" in the Rajya Sabha. The senior most minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House.

Eligibility

Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. A member of the Rajya Sabha must:

Be a citizen of India.
Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution.
Be at least 30 years old. (article 84 constitution of India)
Be elected by the legislative Assembly of States and Union territories by means of single transferable vote through proportional representation.
Not be a proclaimed criminal.

President Eligibility

Article 58 of the constitution sets the principal qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the president. A president must be:

According to Article 58 of the constitution, The Qualifications Necessary For Election As President Of India are:

He/she should be a citizen of India
He/she should be completed the age of thirty-five years or above
He/she should be qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha
He/she should not hold any office of profit under the Union or any State government, or any local or other authority.

A person shall not be eligible for election as president if they hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.

Certain office-holders, however, are permitted to stand as presidential candidates. These are:

The current vice -president
The governor of any state
A Minister of the Union or of any state (including prime minister and chief - ministers)

In the event that the vice-president, a state governor or a minister is elected president, they are considered to have vacated their previous office on the date they begin serving as president.

A member of parliament or a State Legislature can seek election to the office of the president but if they are elected as president, they shall be deemed to have vacated their seat in parliament or State Legislature on the date on which they enter upon their office as President.

Hence, option D is correct as to be a member of Rajya Sabha is not a qualification for the president.