Presidents of India, List from 1950 to 2025, Tenure, Key Facts

List of President of India from 1950 to 2025: Draupadi Murmu serves as the 15th President of India, marking a historic moment as the first tribal woman to hold this esteemed position. Her candidacy received substantial backing from various political groups, particularly the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). From the beginning, her victory over Yashwant Sinha, the opposition-backed candidate, was widely anticipated.

President of India

The President of India is the constitutional head of the country and symbolises the unity and integrity of the nation. Article 52 of the Indian Constitution states that “there shall be a President of India.” While the President is the head of state, their role is largely ceremonial, with executive powers exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and performs functions like assenting to bills, appointing key officials, and representing India in international agreements.

Since India’s independence, several leaders have served as the President of India. The first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, played a vital role in shaping the office’s legacy. The current President of India is Droupadi Murmu, who made history by being the first tribal woman to hold the position. She succeeded Shri Ram Nath Kovind after his term ended.

List of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2025

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, serving from 1950 to 1962, while Droupadi Murmu is the current President, having assumed office in 2022. Below is the List of all 15 Presidents of India from 1950 to 2025:

‹ ›

List of Presidents of India 2025

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad
  • First President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad served two full terms and played an important role in the freedom movement. 
  • He also presided over the Constituent Assembly and was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1962 for his contributions to nation-building.
• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • A renowned philosopher and academic, Dr. Radhakrishnan was Second President of India.
  • His birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India, and he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
• Dr. Zakir Husain
  • The First Muslim President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain was an educationist who passed away while in office.
  • He co-founded Jamia Millia Islamia University and is remembered for his commitment to modern education.
• V. V. Giri
  • V.V. Giri was the only President elected as an independent candidate and had earlier served as Vice President.
  • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1975.
• Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
  • Fifth President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, is remembered for declaring the Emergency under Article 352.
  • He was the second Indian President to die in office, after Dr. Zakir Husain.
• Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy
  • The Sixth President of India, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, was the youngest to assume office and the only one elected unopposed.
  • He also served as the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and later as Lok Sabha Speaker.
• Giani Zail Singh
  • Giani Zail Singh served as President during tough period in Indian history, including Operation Blue Star.
  • He was also Chief Minister of Punjab and known for exercising the pocket veto power during his term.
• R. Venkataraman
  • R. Venkataraman served as President from 1987 to 1992 and was earlier Vice President and Defence Minister of India.
  • A freedom fighter, he was known for his legal insights and received global honours including the Soviet Land Prize.
• Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
  • Before his presidency, Dr. Sharma served as Bhopal’s Chief Minister and as Vice President of India.
  • He received the ‘Living Legend of Law’ award and was respected for his legal and academic contributions.
• K. R. Narayanan
  • K.R. Narayanan was First Dalit President of India and a distinguished diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service.
  • He was the first Indian President to vote in a general election while in office.
• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
  • Known as the “Missile Man of India,” Dr. Kalam was a scientist and the first scientist to become President.
  • He played an important role in India’s 1998 nuclear tests and inspired millions through his speeches and books.
• Smt. Pratibha Patil
  • Smt. Pratibha Patil was First Woman President of India and served as Governor of Rajasthan before her presidency.
  • She made history by becoming the first woman head of state to fly a Sukhoi fighter jet.
• Pranab Mukherjee
  • Pranab Mukherjee held key ministries and was known as the “man for all seasons” in Indian politics.
  • He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and earned wide respect across political lines.
• Ram Nath Kovind
  • Ram Nath Kovind, a lawyer and former Governor of Bihar, served as India’s 14th President from 2017.
  • He focused on social justice, and during his tenure, he advocated for transparency and inclusive governance.
• Droupadi Murmu
  • Droupadi Murmu became First Tribal President of India and second female President in 2022.
  • A former Jharkhand Governor, she is known for her dedication to tribal welfare and grassroots leadership.

President of India Eligibility Criteria

Article 58 of the Indian Constitution provides a clear framework regarding the qualifications required for an individual to be eligible for the esteemed position of the President of India. The key qualifications are as follows:

Citizenship

The candidate must be a citizen of India. This requirement emphasizes the importance of national allegiance and ensures that the President has a clear interest in the country’s welfare.

Age Requirement

The individual must be at least 35 years of age at the time of the election. This criteria ensures that the candidate possesses the maturity and experience required for such a critical role.

Parliamentary Qualification

The candidate should be eligible for election as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. This means they must meet all the qualifications set under Article 84 of the Constitution, which includes factors such as citizenship, age, and other specified qualifications.

No Office of Profit

The candidate must not hold any office of profit under the Union Government, State Government, or any local or public authority. However, exceptions include positions such as President, Vice President, Governor of a State, or Minister for the Union or State. This provision ensures that the President remains neutral and does not have conflicts of interest arising from other official roles.

President of India Powers

1. The President of India is the head of the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
2. The President serves a five-year term but can resign at any time or be removed through impeachment.
3. The President can continue in office beyond the five-year term until a successor takes over.
4. The President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of Members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.
5. Members of the Electoral College use preferential voting with single transferable votes.

President of India Important Points

The President of India is the ceremonial head of the state within the parliamentary system of government. Although the President represents the nation at the national and international levels, they do not have the executive power. Instead, the real executive authority rests with the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The President serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

The President is elected through an electoral college consisting of:

1. Elected members from both Houses of Parliament.
2. Elected members from the legislative assemblies of the states.
3. Elected members from the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry (following the 70th Amendment Act of 1992).
4. The term of office for the President is five years, with the possibility of re-election. There is no limit on the number of terms a President can serve.

In the event of a breach of the Constitution, the President can be removed from office through an impeachment process, which may be initiated in either House of Parliament.

In the absence of the President due to death, resignation, impeachment, or other reasons, the Vice President of India assumes the role of Acting President. If the position of the Vice President is also vacant, the Chief Justice of India steps in as the Acting President until a new President is elected.

President of India Facts

1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the inaugural President of India, serving for two consecutive terms. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving President in the country’s history.
2. V.V. Giri stepped in as an interim President after the passing of Dr. Zakir Husain. He remains unique in holding the position of both President and Acting President at the same time.
3. India has had three Acting Presidents, in addition to the fourteen Presidents who served full terms.
4. Both Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed tragically passed away while in office, marking significant moments in India’s presidential history.
5. The President of India holds a ceremonial position within the government, with executive powers vested in the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
6. Unlike most democracies, the President of India is elected by the members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, not directly by the citizens.
7. In 2007, Pratibha Patil made history by becoming the first woman President of India.