Question

The head of the Indian Republic according to Article 52 of the constitution is the ______________.
A. President
B. Vice President
C. Prime Minister
D. Governor

Answer 1

Hint: The head of the Indian Republic is the executive head of the State and also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Complete answer: According to Article 52 of the Indian Constitution the head of the Republic of India is the President. He occupies the first position, according to the Warrant of Precedence. The President is elected by indirect election via the electoral college. The electoral college consists of the elected members of Legislative Assemblies of the States including NCT of Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry and elected members of both houses of Parliament, also.
He can exercise the executive powers directly or through his subordinate. The 42nd amendment act of the Constitution has made it obligatory for the President to act only on the advice of the council of ministers. The President cannot act independently. He can hold his office for a 5-year term.
The President:
1. Has to be a citizen of India
2. Must be qualified for election as a member of the House of People i.e., Lok Sabha.
3. Must have completed the age of 35 years.
4. He should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of State, or under any local authority.
Let’s examine the options:
Option A – The President is at the top of the hierarchy at the Union level executive. He is considered to be the de jure head of the State.
Option B – The Vice-President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acts as the President when the latter is unable to discharge his functions due to illness or any other cause or absence or till the election of a new President. In the warrant of Precedence, he occupies 2nd position.
Option C – The Prime Minister is the real executive head of the State in India and not the head of the Indian Republic.
Option D – Governor is a State’s de jure head. The real power lies in the hand of the Chief Minister of the state and Chief Minister’s Council of Ministers while the Governor acts as a nominal head.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: The President can be removed from his post before completing his term. The Parliament has the sole power of impeachment. Impeachment procedure can be initiated against the President for the violation of the Constitution, in either house of the Parliament i.e., Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.