Presidential Election in India – Complete Notes for JKSSB & Competitive Examinations
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Introduction
The President of India is the Head of the State and the First Citizen of India. Although the President is the constitutional head, the real executive powers are exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers under Article 74.
The election of the President is indirect, ensuring equal representation to both the Union and the States. Questions related to the Presidential Election are frequently asked in JKSSB, JKPSC, SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railway and other competitive examinations.
Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 52 | There shall be a President of India |
| Article 53 | Executive power of the Union |
| Article 54 | Election of the President |
| Article 55 | Manner of Election |
| Article 56 | Term of Office |
| Article 57 | Eligibility for Re-election |
| Article 58 | Qualifications |
| Article 59 | Conditions of Office |
| Article 60 | Oath or Affirmation |
| Article 61 | Impeachment |
| Article 62 | Election to fill vacancy |
Election of the President (Article 54)
The President is not directly elected by the people.
He is elected by an Electoral College.
Electoral College Consists of
The Electoral College includes:
1. Elected Members of Lok Sabha
All elected MPs of Lok Sabha.
2. Elected Members of Rajya Sabha
All elected MPs of Rajya Sabha.
3. Elected Members of State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs)
Only elected MLAs of all States.
4. Elected Members of Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories
Presently:
Delhi
Puducherry
Not Included in Electoral College
The following members do not participate:
Nominated Members of Lok Sabha
Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha
Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs)
Nominated MLAs
Legislative Assemblies of UTs other than Delhi and Puducherry
Why is the Election Indirect?
The Constitution makers adopted indirect election because:
Maintains parliamentary form of government.
Saves huge election expenditure.
Ensures federal balance.
Gives equal importance to Union and States.
Principle of Presidential Election (Article 55)
The election is based on two important principles:
1. Uniformity among States
Every state's vote should have equal value in proportion to its population.
2. Parity between Union and States
Balance should exist between MPs and MLAs.
Value of Vote of an MLA
Formula:
Value of Vote = Population of State ÷ (Total Elected MLAs × 1000)
If the remainder is 500 or more, add one.
Population considered is based on the 1971 Census (frozen until the first census after 2026, as per constitutional provisions).
Example
Population = 2,00,00,000
MLAs = 200
Value
= 2,00,00,000 ÷ (200 ×1000)
=100
Each MLA's vote = 100
Value of Vote of an MP
Formula:
Total Value of Votes of all MLAs ÷ Total Elected MPs
Thus every MP has the same vote value.
Voting System
The Presidential election uses:
Proportional Representation System
By means of
Single Transferable Vote (STV)
And
Secret Ballot
What is Single Transferable Vote?
Every elector ranks candidates as:
Preference 1
Preference 2
Preference 3
And so on
If no candidate secures the required quota in the first count, votes are transferred according to the next preference until one candidate obtains the required majority.
Secret Ballot
Voting is conducted through secret ballot.
Political parties cannot legally compel electors to vote according to the party whip in the Presidential election.
Majority Required
A candidate must obtain:
More than 50% of the total valid vote value (the required quota under the STV system).
Who Conducts the Election?
The election is conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Secretary General of either House of Parliament is usually appointed as the Returning Officer.
Qualifications for President (Article 58)
A person must:
Be a citizen of India.
Have completed 35 years of age.
Be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha.
Not hold any office of profit under the Government (subject to constitutional exceptions).
Nomination of Candidate
A valid nomination requires:
50 electors as proposers
50 electors as seconders
Security deposit (as prescribed by law)
The deposit is forfeited if the candidate fails to secure the prescribed minimum vote value.
Oath
The President takes oath before:
Chief Justice of India
If unavailable,
Senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court
Term of Office
Five years.
Eligible for re-election any number of times.
Continues until successor assumes office.
Vacancy in Office
Vacancy may occur due to:
Death
Resignation
Removal (Impeachment)
Disqualification
Expiry of term
A new election must be held within six months if the vacancy arises before completion of the term.
Acting President
When the office becomes vacant:
The Vice-President acts as President.
If the Vice-President is unavailable:
The Chief Justice of India (or the senior-most available Supreme Court Judge) discharges the functions until arrangements are made according to law.
Election Disputes
Under Article 71:
All disputes relating to the Presidential election are decided by the Supreme Court of India.
Its decision is final.
Important Features
Indirect election.
Electoral College system.
Secret ballot.
Single Transferable Vote.
Proportional Representation.
Vote value differs for MLAs.
Vote value is the same for all MPs.
Election supervised by the Election Commission.
Supreme Court settles disputes.
Difference Between President and Vice-President Election
| President | Vice-President |
|---|---|
| Electoral College includes MPs and MLAs | Electoral College includes only MPs |
| MLAs participate | MLAs do not participate |
| Vote value differs | Every MP has one vote of equal value |
| Based on federal principle | Not based on federal principle |
Important Constitutional Articles
| Article | Topic |
|---|---|
| 52 | President |
| 53 | Executive Power |
| 54 | Election |
| 55 | Manner of Election |
| 56 | Term |
| 57 | Re-election |
| 58 | Qualification |
| 59 | Conditions |
| 60 | Oath |
| 61 | Impeachment |
| 62 | Vacancy |
| 71 | Election Disputes |
| 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
Previous Examination Facts
President is elected indirectly.Voting method: Single Transferable Vote.
Voting is by secret ballot.
Election conducted by the Election Commission of India.
Election disputes are decided by the Supreme Court.
Minimum age: 35 years.
Term: 5 years.
Re-election: Unlimited.
Oath administered by the Chief Justice of India.
Nominated members do not vote.
MLCs do not participate.
Delhi and Puducherry MLAs participate.
One-Liner Revision (JKSSB Quick Facts)
Constitutional Head of India – President.
Article 52 creates the office of the President.Election under Articles 54 and 55.
Indirect election through an Electoral College.
Electoral College consists of elected MPs and elected MLAs (States, Delhi and Puducherry).
Nominated members and MLCs do not participate.
Voting system: Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote.
Voting is by Secret Ballot.
Candidate must be at least 35 years old.
Must be qualified to become a Lok Sabha member.
Five-year tenure.
Eligible for re-election any number of times.
Oath by the Chief Justice of India.
Election disputes decided by the Supreme Court under Article 71.
Vacancy before term completion must be filled within six months.
Vice-President acts as President when the office falls vacant.
Expected MCQs for JKSSB
Q1. The President of India is elected by:
A) Direct election
B) Electoral College ✔️
C) Parliament only
D) State Assemblies only
Q2. Which voting system is used in the Presidential election?
A) First-Past-the-Post
B) Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote ✔️
C) List System
D) Open Ballot
Q3. Which Article deals with the election of the President?
A) Article 52
B) Article 53
C) Article 54 ✔️
D) Article 55
Q4. Who decides disputes regarding the Presidential election?
A) Election Commission
B) Parliament
C) Supreme Court ✔️
D) High Court
Q5. The minimum age to become the President of India is:
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years ✔️
D) 40 years
Q6. Which members are excluded from the Presidential Electoral College?
A) Elected MPs
B) Elected MLAs
C) Nominated Members of Parliament ✔️
D) MLAs of Delhi
Q7. The President's oath is administered by:
A) Prime Minister
B) Vice-President
C) Chief Justice of India ✔️
D) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Q8. Which Union Territories have elected MLAs participating in the Presidential election?
A) Chandigarh and Ladakh
B) Delhi and Puducherry ✔️
C) Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi
D) Lakshadweep and Puducherry
Home Academy Exam Tips
Memorize Articles 52–62, 71 and 74.
Learn the Electoral College composition and who is excluded.Remember the MLA vote value formula and the MP vote value formula.
Revise the Single Transferable Vote and Secret Ballot concepts carefully.
Be prepared for comparison questions between the President and Vice-President elections, as these are commonly asked in JKSSB and other competitive examinations.