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List of Indian Presidents: Presidents of India (1950 to 2022)

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List of all Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023: Find out the complete list of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023. As of July 21, 2022, Draupadi Murmu became the 15th President of India.

List of all Presidents of India from 1947 to 2023: Draupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India, holds the historic title of being the first tribal woman to assume this esteemed constitutional role. Throughout the election, Draupadi Murmu, supported by various political parties and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), maintained a distinct advantage over the opposition’s candidate, Yashwant Sinha.

In government exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, etc we find many questions from the general awareness section. this is a very broad section and sometimes questions are very factual. we will cover the General awareness section comprehensively so that students can learn and get most of the questions correct in this section. In this article, we will provide a complete list of Presidents of India. 

List-of-President-of-India-(1950-2022)

List of Indian Presidents 1950-2022

India’s Constitution was officially adopted on November 26, 1949, and it became effective on January 26, 1950. This significant event led to Dr. Rajendra Prasad being elected as India’s first President, marking the beginning of the nation’s constitutional governance.

In July 2022, Ram Nath Kovind concluded his tenure as 14th President of India. Despite being eligible for another term, he chose not to seek re-election. Consequently, Draupadi Murmu was elected as the 15th Indian President in July 2022, a decision made by the electoral college.

S.No Name of the President Tenure

Presidents of India List

1 Rajendra Prasad (Elected Twice) 13 May 1952 – 13 May 1957 & 13 May 1957 – 13 May 1962
2 Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 13 May 1962 – 13 May 1967
3 Zakir Husain (Died in office) 13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969
4 Varahagiri Venkata Giri 24 August 1969 – 24 August 1974
5 Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (Died in office) 24 August 1974 – 11 February 1977
6 Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (Youngest President) 25 July 1977 – 25 July 1982
7 Giani Zail Singh 25 July 1982 – 25 July 1987
8 Ramaswamy Venkataraman 25 July 1987 – 25 July 1992
9 Shankar Dayal Sharma 25 July 1992 – 25 July 1997
10 Kocheril Raman Narayanan 25 July 1997 – 25 July 2002
11 Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam 25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007
12 Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil 25 July 2007 – 25 July 2012
13 Pranab Mukherjee 25 July 2012 – 25 July 2017
14 Ram Nath Kovind 25 July 2017 – 25 July 2022
15 Draupadi Murmu 25 July 2022 – Till present

List of Presidents of India 1950- 2023

The President serves as the chief of the state in India, known as the first citizen. According to Article 52 of the Indian Constitution, the country shall have a President, and Article 53 specifies that all executive powers of the Union are exercised by them directly or through subordinate officers. The Constitution of India, adopted on November 26, 1949, came into effect on January 26, 1950. Rajendra Prasad held the esteemed position of the first constitutional head of state, becoming the inaugural President of India.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, served two terms. He played pivotal roles as the President of the Constituent Assembly and a key leader in the Indian Independence Movement. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Bharat Ratna award in 1962.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Celebrate Teacher’s Day on September 5th in honor of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, born on this day in 1888. Recognized for his contributions, he received the prestigious Bharat Ratna award in 1954.

Dr. Zakir Husain

Dr. Zakir Husain made history as first Muslim President of India, serving until his passing. Following this, the Vice President, V.V. Giri, stepped in as the acting President. Later, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mohammad Hidayatullah, assumed the acting presidency from July 20, 1969, to August 24, 1969.

In 2002, Mohammad Hidayatullah was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to the field of art by the Government of India. His impact extended beyond this recognition, as he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing education in India.

V. V. Giri

V.V Giri, also known as Varahagiri Venkata Giri, served as fourth President of India. Remarkably, he achieved the distinction of being the sole individual elected President as an independent candidate. In 1975, his contributions were acknowledged with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the fifth President of India, was the second to pass away while in office. Following his passing, BD Jattha assumed the role of Acting President.

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the sixth President of India, initially served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He made history as the youngest occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan after being directly elected as the Lok Sabha speaker. Notably, he ran for the presidency twice.

Giani Zail Singh

Before assuming the role of President, he served as both Chief Minister of Punjab and as a Central Minister. Additionally, he employed the Pocket Veto strategy on the Indian Post Office Bill. His presidential term witnessed significant events, including Operation Blue Star, the tragic assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the distressing 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

R. Venkataraman

R. Venkataraman served as India’s President from July 25, 1987, to July 25, 1992, following his role as Vice-President from 1984 to 1987. He garnered numerous accolades worldwide, including the “Tamra Patra” for his significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle. Additionally, the Russian government honored him with the Soviet Land Prize for crafting a travelogue about the former Tamil Nadu Prime Minister, Kumaraswami Kamaraj.

Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma

He served as the eighth Vice President of India before assuming the role of President. From 1952 to 1956, he held the position of Chief Minister in Bhopal, and subsequently served as a Cabinet Minister from 1956 to 1967. Recognizing his significant accomplishments in the legal field, the International Bar Association honored him with the ‘Living Legend of Law Award of Recognition.

K R Narayanan

K. R. Narayanan, first Dalit President of India and the initial Malayali to hold this esteemed position, marked historical moments. Being the first President to cast a vote in Lok Sabha elections and delivering a significant address to the state assembly, he left a lasting impact on the nation.

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam earned the title ‘Missile Man of India.’ Not only was he the first scientist to become President, but he also secured the highest number of votes ever for a President in India. Under his leadership, successful launches of Rohini-1 satellites, Agni, and Prithvi missiles took place. Dr. Kalam played a crucial role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, showcasing his significant contributions in political, organizational, and technical realms. His exceptional achievements led to the prestigious Bharat Ratna award in 1997.

Shrimati Pratibha Singh Patil

Before taking on the role of President, she served as the Governor of Rajasthan. Between 1962 and 1985, she secured a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly five times, and in 1991, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Amravati. Notably, she made history as the first female president to pilot a Sukhoi aircraft.

Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee, who served as the finance minister in the central government before running for the presidential election, received the Best Parliamentary Award in 1997 and was honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, India’s second-highest civilian recognition. Sadly, he passed away on August 31, 2020 (Monday) at the age of 84.

Ram Nath Kovind

Ram Nath Kovind, born on October 1, 1945, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is an Indian lawyer and politician. Serving as the 14th President of India, he assumed office on July 25, 2017, and is affiliated with the Bhartiya Janata Party. Prior to his presidency, he held the position of Governor of Bihar. Kovind’s notable reputation stems from his adept handling of political challenges, earning him commendation from diverse political quarters. During his tenure as Governor, he garnered success by establishing a judicial commission aimed at investigating corruption within universities.

Draupadi Murmu

On July 21, 2022, Draupadi Murmu assumed the role of the 15th President of India. Born on June 20, 1958, in the Uparbeda village of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, she hails from a Santali tribal family with Biranchi Narayan Tudu as her father. A former Governor of Jharkhand, Draupadi Murmu was honored with the Nilkantha Award in 2007 for being the best Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) by the Odisha Legislative Assembly. 

Qualifications For Election As President

The President is chosen through proportional representation using a single transferable vote system. The President can be impeached and removed from office.

Essential qualifications for becoming the President of India include:

  • Must be a citizen of India.
  • Must be at least 35 years old.
  • Must meet the criteria to be elected as a Lok Sabha member.
  • Cannot hold any profitable position under the central or state government, or any public authority.

Understanding the Role of India’s Presidents

Find out the key insights about the Presidents of India, a topic frequently featured in major competitive exams across the country.

  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Legacy: Dr. Rajendra Prasad holds the record as India’s longest-serving President, having completed two full terms.
  • Zakir Hussain’s Tenure: The third President of India, Zakir Hussain, had the briefest term, as he sadly passed away during his presidency.
  • Interim Presidents: India has seen three interim Presidents: Varahagiri Venkata Giri, Mohammad Hidayatullah, and Basappa Danappa Jatti.
  • Neelam Sanjiva Reddy’s Distinctions: Not only was Neelam Sanjiva Reddy the youngest to hold the presidential office, but he was also the inaugural Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Pratibha Patil’s Milestone: Pratibha Patil made history as India’s first and only female President.
  • Resignation Process: A President wishing to resign must follow the procedure outlined in Article 61 of the Indian Constitution, which includes submitting a handwritten resignation to the Vice President.
  • Election Process: The President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of State and Union Territory legislative assemblies.

For aspirants preparing for the UPSC Exam, Bank Exam, SSC Exam, or other competitive exams, it’s crucial to stay updated with current affairs and general knowledge, as these areas often comprise about 20% of exam questions.

The list of Indian Presidents is a vital static GK topic. For more resources on static GK topics, feel free to explore our linked page.

Test your knowledge of Presidents of India, both pre and post-independence, with our free online quizzes tailored for competitive exam candidates.

This topics holds important subjects for UPSC, Bank, and various Government exams.

List of Indian Presidents – FAQs

Who was the first President of India?

The first President of India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

How many Presidents has India had so far?

India has had a total of 15 Presidents as of 2022.

Who is the current President of India?

As of the latest available information, Draupadi Murmu is the current President of India.

Is Draupadi Murmu the first female President of India?

Yes, Draupadi Murmu is the first female tribal President of India.

How long was the tenure of the 14th President, Ram Nath Kovind?

Ram Nath Kovind served as the 14th President of India from 25 July 2017 to 25 July 2022.

Where can I find a comprehensive list of all Presidents of India?

You can find a detailed list of all Presidents of India, along with their tenures, on reputable educational websites or official government portals.

What notable achievements are associated with some of the past Presidents?

Various Presidents contributed significantly during their tenures. For example, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was known as the “People’s President” and played a crucial role in India’s space and defense programs.

Are there any trustworthy online sources for information about Indian Presidents?

Reliable online sources for information about Indian Presidents include educational platforms like Jagran Josh and BYJU’S, as well as official government websites.

How is the President of India elected?

The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament, as well as the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories.

What is the eligibility criterion for someone to become the President of India?

To be eligible for the presidency, a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha, and not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.



Last Updated : 02 Feb, 2024
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