List of Presidents of India from 1947 to 2024 Download PDF

Draupadi Murmu inaugurated as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022, has dutifully discharged her presidential responsibilities since assuming office after winning the election. Her tenure continues a legacy that began with Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President after independence. From 1947 to 2024, the roster of Indian Presidents has been of significant importance in various government exams such as SSC and banking, offering aspiring candidates a comprehensive overview of the nation’s presidential history and governance contributions.

List of Presidents of India from 1947 to 2024

In India, the President is elected through voting and holds the highest position in the government. The following list outlines all the Presidents since independence, detailing their terms in office and key information about them. Studying these Presidents provides insight into the influential leaders who have steered our nation and the significant events that occurred during their tenures.

Who is the Present President of India?

Draupadi Murmu currently serves as the 15th President of India, marking a historic milestone as the first tribal woman to hold this esteemed constitutional position. She succeeded Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the 14th President of India. The presidency’s inception coincided with the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, emphasizing its integral role within the Union Executive. Regarded as the nation’s paramount representative, the President holds a position of profound honor, symbolizing the highest embodiment of Indian citizenship.

 List of Chief Ministers of India

President of India Constitutional Provision

The Indian Constitution addresses the provisions concerning the President of India within Articles 52-78, with a specific focus on Articles 52-62 related to the President. Article 52 mandates the existence of a President for India, while Article 53 stipulates that all executive powers of the Union are to be exercised by the President, either directly or through subordinate officers.

List of Chief Election Commissioners of India 

List of All Presidents of India from 1947 to 2024

Candidates preparing for various government exams can access a downloadable PDF containing the list of Presidents of India. Below, we have provided a List of presidents of India in order of their tenure as the President of India.

List of All Presidents of India
S. No.	Name	Tenure	Profiles
1.	Draupadi Murmu	25 July 2022- present	Draupadi Murmu is serving as the 15th President of India and is the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post in the country.
2.	Shri Ram Nath Kovind	25th July 2017 – 25 July 2022	14th President of India and ex-Governor of Bihar
3.	Pranab Mukherjee	25th July 2012- 25th July 2017	13th President of India and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress.
4.	Pratibha Patil	25th July 2007- 25th July 2012	12th and the first woman to become as President of India
5.	Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam	25th July 2002 – 25th July 2007	11th President of India and an extremely talented scientist who has worked in organizations like DRDO and ISRO.
6.	Kocheril Raman Narayanan	25th July 1997- 25th July 2002	10th President of India and one of “the best diplomats of the country”.
7.	Shankar Dayal Sharma	25th July 1992 – 25th July 1997	9th President of India and a member of the Indian National Congress.
8.	Ramaswamy Venkataraman	25th July 1987 – 25th July 1992	8th President of India and by profession an Indian lawyer and politician.
9.	Giani Zail Singh	25th July 1982 – 25th July 1987	7th President of India and a member of the Indian National Congress.
10.	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	25th July 1977 – 25th July 1982	The 6th President of India and the only person to be elected as the President of India is unopposed.
11.	Basappa Danappa Jatti	11th February 1977 – 25th July 1977	He was sworn in as Acting President of India upon Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s death. Earlier, he was the Chief Minister for the State of Mysore.
12.	Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed	24th August 1974 – 11th February 1977	5th President of India and an active member of the Indian National Congress.
13.	Varahagiri Venkata Giri	24th August 1969 – 24th August 1974	The 4th President of India belongs to a Telugu Brahmin family residing in Andhra Pradesh.
14.	Mohammad Hidayatullah	20 July 1969 – 24th August,1969	He served as Acting President of India until the election of Varahagiri Venkata Giri as the President of India.
15.	Varahagiri Venkata Giri	3 May, 1969 – 20 July, 1969	He was the first Acting President of India following the death of Dr. Zakir Hussain.
16.	Dr. Zakir Hussain	13 May 1967 –  3 May 1969	3rd President of India and the country’s first Muslim President.
17.	Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	13th May 1962 – 13th May 1967	2nd President of India. On 5th September Teachers’ Day is celebrated to commemorate his birthday.
18.	Dr. Rajendra Prasad	26th January 1950 – 13th May 1962	1st President of India and a member of the Indian National Congress. And first president, longest tenure (12 years).

Constitutional Position of President of India

In India, the President holds the constitutional leadership position within the parliamentary system of government. Functioning as the nominal head of the State, the President’s authority primarily lies in ceremonial duties. The real power is in the hands of the council of ministers.

Operating as the nominal head of the government, the President acts upon the guidance provided by the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. All executive actions undertaken by the Central Government are executed in the name of the President. Furthermore, the President of India assumes the crucial role of the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

President of India lists Important Facts

• The president of India is the nominal head of the government and follows the advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.
• All executive actions of the Central Government are carried out in the name of the President of India.
• The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of members from both houses of Parliament, state legislatures, and legislative assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.
• The term of the President is five years, with the option for immediate re-election and serving multiple terms.
• The President can be impeached from office as per Article 61 of the Indian Constitution.
• In the absence of the President, the Vice President of India assumes the role of the President.
• If both the President and Vice President positions are vacant, the Chief Justice of India serves as the Acting President.

List of Presidents of India UPSC

Learning about the Presidents of India is crucial for UPSC preparation. This list shows all the important leaders who have been in charge of our country since we became independent. Understanding this topic helps UPSC aspirants see how India’s government has changed and its position in the world.