The President ICSE Class 10: Election, Impeachment and Powers

What The President is about

Weightage: CISCE publishes no chapter weightage. Civics is tested in Part I (compulsory 1- and 2-mark items) and in Part II Section A, where you answer two of three 10-mark Civics questions, each split 3 + 3 + 4.Source: CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper 501, History & Civics (H.C.G. Paper 1)

Key concepts

Qualifications and term

To be elected President a person must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the Union, a state or a local authority. (The offices of President, Vice-President, Governor and minister are not counted as offices of profit for this purpose.)

The President holds office for five years from the date of entering office and is eligible for re-election. The President may resign earlier by writing to the Vice-President, and may be removed before the end of the term only by impeachment. If the office falls vacant, the Vice-President acts as President until a new President is elected, which must happen within six months.

Worked example

(2 marks) State any two qualifications for election as President of India.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old - 1 mark.
2. Must be qualified for election to the Lok Sabha and must not hold an office of profit - 1 mark.

Answer: A candidate must be an Indian citizen of at least 35 years, qualified to be a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the government.

Electoral College

The President is elected not by the people directly but by an Electoral College consisting of:

• the elected members of both Houses of Parliament, and
• the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all the states, including the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.

Nominated members of Parliament and of the assemblies, and members of state Legislative Councils, do not vote. The election is held by proportional representation through the single transferable vote, by secret ballot. Each vote carries a value worked out so that the states as a whole and Parliament as a whole have equal weight, and states are weighted by population. This makes the President the choice of both the nation and the states.

Worked example

(2 marks) Who are the members of the Electoral College that elects the President?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. The elected members of both Houses of Parliament - 1 mark.
2. The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states, including Delhi and Puducherry - 1 mark.

Answer: The Electoral College consists of the elected members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all states, including the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.

Reasons for indirect election

The framers chose indirect election because:
1. The President is only the constitutional head; real power lies with the Council of Ministers. A President directly elected by the whole nation might claim a popular mandate and become a rival centre of power to the Prime Minister.
2. A direct election across a country of India's size would be very costly and time-consuming, and would involve huge campaigns for an office with limited real power.
3. Including state assembly members makes the President a representative of the states as well as the Union, which suits a federal system.
4. An election by elected representatives, who are themselves chosen by the people, still keeps the President democratic.

Worked example

(3 marks) Give three reasons why the President of India is elected indirectly.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. A nominal head elected directly could become a rival to the Prime Minister, who holds real power - 1 mark.
2. Direct election in a vast country would be very costly and time-consuming - 1 mark.
3. Including state legislators gives the states a share in choosing the head of the Union, suiting federalism - 1 mark.

Answer: (1) As the President is only a nominal head, direct election might create a rival power centre to the Prime Minister. (2) A nationwide direct election would waste money and time. (3) An Electoral College that includes state legislators lets the states share in the choice, in keeping with federalism.

Impeachment

The only ground for impeachment is 'violation of the Constitution'. The procedure is quasi-judicial:
1. A charge is brought in either House of Parliament through a resolution signed by at least one-fourth of the total members of that House, after at least 14 days' written notice to the President.
2. The resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of that House.
3. The other House then investigates the charge, or has it investigated. The President has the right to appear and be represented.
4. If the second House also passes a resolution, by at least two-thirds of its total membership, declaring the charge proved, the President stands removed from the date of that resolution.

Both Houses take part, including nominated members, even though nominated members do not vote in the election.

Worked example

(3 marks) Explain the procedure of impeachment of the President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. A charge of violation of the Constitution is brought in either House by a resolution signed by one-fourth of its total members, after 14 days' notice, and passed by two-thirds of its total membership - 1 mark.
2. The other House investigates the charge; the President may appear or be represented - 1 mark.
3. If the second House also passes a resolution by two-thirds of its total membership upholding the charge, the President is removed from that date - 1 mark.

Answer: One House frames the charge of violating the Constitution through a resolution signed by a quarter of its members after 14 days' notice and passed by two-thirds of its total membership. The other House investigates, and the President can defend himself. If it too passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority of its total membership, the President is removed.

Executive powers

All executive action of the Union is taken in the President's name. The President:

• appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM's advice, the other ministers, and allocates portfolios on that advice;
• appoints the Governors of states, the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, the chairman and members of the UPSC, and ambassadors;
• is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces and appoints the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force; declares war and makes peace, subject to Parliament;
• administers the Union Territories through administrators appointed by the President.

Executive powers are about appointing people and running the administration. Do not mix them with legislative powers such as summoning Parliament.

Worked example

(3 marks) Mention any three executive powers of the President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM's advice, other ministers - 1 mark.
2. Appoints Governors, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Attorney General and the CAG - 1 mark.
3. Is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces and appoints the chiefs of the three services - 1 mark.

Answer: The President (1) appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers, (2) appoints Governors, judges, the Attorney General, the CAG and the Chief Election Commissioner, and (3) is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces.

Legislative powers and ordinances

The President is part of Parliament. The President:

• summons and prorogues the sessions of both Houses, and can dissolve the Lok Sabha;
• addresses both Houses together at the start of the first session after each general election and of the first session each year;
• summons a joint sitting to resolve a deadlock on an Ordinary Bill;
• nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha;
• gives assent to bills; can withhold assent, or return an Ordinary Bill once for reconsideration (if Parliament passes it again, the President must assent);
• gives prior recommendation for certain bills, such as Money Bills and bills to form new states;
• issues ordinances (Article 123) when either House is not in session and immediate action is needed.

An ordinance has the same force as an Act of Parliament. It must be laid before Parliament when it reassembles and lapses six weeks after reassembly unless approved earlier. The President can withdraw it at any time.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is an ordinance? When does it cease to operate?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. An ordinance is a law issued by the President when Parliament (either House) is not in session and immediate action is needed; it has the force of an Act - 1 mark.
2. It lapses six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved, or earlier if disapproved or withdrawn - 1 mark.

Answer: An ordinance is a temporary law issued by the President under Article 123 when Parliament is not in session. It has the force of an Act, but it lapses six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless Parliament approves it, and can be withdrawn earlier.

Financial and judicial powers

Financial powers:

• A Money Bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only with the President's recommendation.
• The annual budget (Annual Financial Statement) is laid before Parliament on the President's behalf.
• The Contingency Fund of India is at the President's disposal to meet unforeseen expenditure, pending approval by Parliament.
• The President appoints a Finance Commission every five years to recommend how taxes are shared between the Union and the states.

Judicial powers:

• Under Article 72 the President can grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of punishment, or suspend, remit or commute sentences, including a sentence of death and sentences by court-martial.
• The President appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• The President can seek the Supreme Court's advice on questions of law or fact of public importance.
• The President is not answerable to any court for official acts, and no criminal proceedings can be started against the President during the term.

Worked example

(2 marks) State two judicial powers of the President.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Can grant pardon or commute sentences, including the death sentence, under Article 72 - 1 mark.
2. Appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts (or seeks the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court) - 1 mark.

Answer: The President can pardon, reprieve or commute the sentence of a convicted person, including a death sentence, and appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Discretionary powers

Discretionary powers are those the President uses by personal judgement rather than on the advice of the Council of Ministers. They arise mainly in unusual political situations:

• Appointing the Prime Minister when no party or coalition has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha (a hung Parliament), and asking the person appointed to prove the majority.
• Dismissing a Council of Ministers that has clearly lost its majority but refuses to resign.
• Dissolving the Lok Sabha when the Council of Ministers has lost its majority and no alternative government can be formed.
• Asking the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice, once (after the 44th Amendment, the President must accept the advice given after reconsideration).
• Returning an Ordinary Bill for reconsideration, or keeping a bill pending without a decision (often called a 'pocket veto').

Worked example

(1 mark) When no party wins a majority in the Lok Sabha, the President chooses a Prime Minister. Which power is used?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. The President is not acting on the advice of a Council of Ministers here, since none commands a majority.
2. Such a choice is a matter of personal judgement, which is a discretionary power.

Answer: Discretionary power.

Emergency powers and their effects

1. National Emergency (Article 352): proclaimed when the security of India or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, on the written advice of the Union Cabinet. Effects (any two): Parliament can make laws on State List subjects; the Union can give directions to the states on how to use their executive power, so the federal system works like a unitary one; the freedoms under Article 19 are suspended when the ground is war or external aggression (not armed rebellion), and the President may suspend the enforcement of other Fundamental Rights (except Articles 20 and 21); the term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by one year at a time; the President can alter the distribution of revenue between the Union and the states.

2. Failure of constitutional machinery in a state, or President's Rule (Article 356): proclaimed when the President, on the Governor's report or otherwise, is satisfied that the government of a state cannot be carried on according to the Constitution. Effects (any two): the state Council of Ministers is dismissed; the state Legislative Assembly is suspended or dissolved; the Governor runs the state on behalf of the President; Parliament makes laws for the state (or authorises the President to do so) and approves its budget.

3. Financial Emergency (Article 360): proclaimed when the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened. Effects (any two): the Union can direct states to observe financial propriety; salaries and allowances of government employees, including judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, can be reduced; Money Bills and financial bills of the states can be reserved for the President's consideration. (No Financial Emergency has ever been declared.)

Worked example

(4 marks) Mention two effects each of a proclamation of National Emergency and of a Financial Emergency.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. National Emergency: Parliament can legislate on State List subjects - 1 mark.
2. National Emergency: Fundamental Rights under Article 19 are suspended (or the Lok Sabha's term can be extended) - 1 mark.
3. Financial Emergency: salaries of government servants, including judges, can be reduced - 1 mark.
4. Financial Emergency: state Money Bills can be reserved for the President's consideration (or states directed to follow financial propriety) - 1 mark.

Answer: National Emergency: Parliament may make laws on State List subjects, and the freedoms of Article 19 are suspended. Financial Emergency: the salaries of all government servants, including Supreme Court and High Court judges, can be cut, and state Money Bills can be reserved for the President.

The President in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Topics in this chapter

• The President: Election, Term and Impeachment
• Powers of the President and the Three Emergencies

The President: key facts

Minimum age

35 years

Same as the Vice-President.

Term

5 years; eligible for re-election

Resignation is addressed to the Vice-President.

Electoral College

Elected MPs (both Houses) + elected MLAs of all states, Delhi and Puducherry

Proportional representation by single transferable vote; secret ballot.

Impeachment

Ground: violation of the Constitution; 14 days' notice; signed by one-fourth; passed by two-thirds of total membership in each House

Both Houses, including nominated members, take part.

Vacancy

Election within 6 months; Vice-President acts meanwhile

Ordinance

Article 123; lapses 6 weeks after Parliament reassembles

Only when Parliament is not in session.

Pardon

Article 72

Includes death sentences and court-martial sentences.

Emergencies

National: Art. 352; State (President's Rule): Art. 356; Financial: Art. 360

Learn any two effects of each.

How the board asks The President

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember The President

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

• Impeachment 14-1/4-2/3-2/3

  14 days' notice, signed by one quarter, passed by two-thirds, then two-thirds again in the other House.

  Use it when: Impeachment steps in order.

• 352-356-360: Security, State, Salary

  352 Security (National), 356 State (President's Rule), 360 Salaries cut (Financial).

  Use it when: Matching emergencies with their effects.

• E-L-F-J-D-E

  Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Discretionary, Emergency: 'Every Law For Justice Demands Effort.'

  Use it when: Listing the six groups of powers.

• Appoint = Executive, Assent = Legislative

  If the President appoints someone, it is executive; if the President acts on Parliament or a bill, it is legislative.

  Use it when: Avoiding the executive-legislative mix-up.

The President: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In the board paper this is a 10-mark question split into 3 + 3 + 4 marks.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

Where students lose marks in The President

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

• ✗Mistake: Calling the hung-assembly appointment an executive or legislative power

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates chose Executive or Legislative instead of Discretionary power.

  Wrong working

  When no party has a majority, the President uses executive power to appoint the PM.

  Right working

  When no party has a majority, the choice of PM is a discretionary power.

  ✓Do this: Ask whether there is binding advice. If not, it is discretion.

  Usually costs: The full mark.

• ✗Mistake: Writing impeachment steps out of order or missing the numbers

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates did not follow the correct sequence of the impeachment procedure, and some were unfamiliar with it.

  Wrong working

  Both Houses vote and then the President is investigated.

  Right working

  Charge in one House (notice, one-fourth, two-thirds), investigation by the other House, then two-thirds in that House.

  ✓Do this: Number the steps and give each its number (14, one-fourth, two-thirds).

  Usually costs: 1 to 2 of 3 marks.

• ✗Mistake: Mixing executive powers with legislative functions

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates mixed executive powers with legislative functions.

  Wrong working

  Executive powers: summons Parliament, gives assent to bills.

  Right working

  Executive powers: appoints the PM, Governors, judges and the CAG; Supreme Commander. Summoning and assent are legislative.

  ✓Do this: Executive = appointments and administration; legislative = Parliament and bills.

  Usually costs: Up to 2 marks in a 4-mark answer.

• ✗Mistake: Confusing the three emergencies

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: some candidates chose distractors reflecting misconceptions about the types of emergency.

  ✓Do this: Link each threat to its emergency: security (352), state machinery (356), financial credit (360). Learn two effects for each.

  Usually costs: The full mark in Part I; 2 marks in Part II.

• ✗Mistake: Saying the President is directly elected or that nominated members vote

  Students mix the Electoral College with the Lok Sabha electorate.

  Wrong working

  All MPs and MLAs elect the President.

  Right working

  Only the elected members of both Houses and of state assemblies (including Delhi and Puducherry) elect the President.

  ✓Do this: Always write 'elected' before members.

  Usually costs: 1 mark.

Practice questions on The President

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

   The President's resignation is addressed to:
   (a) the Prime Minister
   (b) the Chief Justice of India
   (c) the Vice-President
   (d) the Speaker

   Hint

   The person who would act in the President's place.

   Answer

   (c) the Vice-President.

2. Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

   Which of these is NOT an effect of a Financial Emergency?
   (a) Reduction of salaries of High Court judges
   (b) State Money Bills reserved for the President
   (c) Suspension of Article 19 freedoms
   (d) Directions to states to observe financial propriety

   Hint

   Article 19 is linked to a different emergency.

   Answer

   (c) Suspension of Article 19 freedoms is an effect of a National Emergency, not a Financial Emergency.

3. Q3 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

   Analogy: Pardon : Judicial power :: Ordinance : ________

   Hint

   Ordinances are laws.

   Answer

   Legislative power.

4. Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

   Why are nominated members of Parliament excluded from the Electoral College? Give one reason.

   Hint

   Think of who represents the people.

   Answer

   The President should be chosen by representatives of the people. Nominated members are not elected by the people, so they are excluded; this keeps the election democratic (they are also nominated by the President, so voting for the President would be improper).

5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

   State any three executive powers of the President.

   Hint

   Appointments and command.

   Answer

   (1) Appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM's advice, other ministers. (2) Appoints Governors, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Attorney General and the CAG. (3) Is the Supreme Commander of the defence forces.

6. Q6 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

   Give two effects of President's Rule in a state.

   Hint

   What happens to the state's ministry and legislature?

   Answer

   The state Council of Ministers is dismissed and the Governor runs the state on behalf of the President; the state Legislative Assembly is suspended or dissolved, and Parliament makes laws for the state.

7. Q7 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

   Explain two discretionary powers of the President with a situation for each.

   Hint

   Hung Parliament; government that has lost its majority.

   Answer

   (1) Appointing the Prime Minister when no party has a majority: after an election with a hung Lok Sabha, the President invites the leader most likely to win a vote of confidence. (2) Dissolving the Lok Sabha or dismissing a ministry: if the government loses its majority and refuses to resign, or no alternative government can be formed, the President may dismiss the ministry or dissolve the House.

8. Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   'The President's power of veto is limited.' Explain with reference to an Ordinary Bill and a Money Bill.

   Hint

   Return once; Money Bills already carry the President's recommendation.

   Answer

   An Ordinary Bill can be returned once for reconsideration, but if Parliament passes it again, with or without changes, the President must give assent. A Money Bill is introduced only with the President's prior recommendation, so the President does not return it and in practice gives assent. So the veto can delay but not finally block Parliament's will.

9. Q9 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

   The President has the power to address Parliament. When is this done?

   Hint

   Two occasions.

   Answer

   At the beginning of the first session after each general election to the Lok Sabha, and at the beginning of the first session of each year, addressing both Houses assembled together.

10. Q10 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Compare the election of the President with that of a Lok Sabha member on: voters, method and minimum age.

    Hint

    Indirect versus direct.

    Answer

    Voters: the President is elected by an Electoral College of elected MPs and MLAs; a Lok Sabha member is elected by all adult citizens of the constituency. Method: proportional representation by single transferable vote for the President; first-past-the-post for the Lok Sabha. Age: 35 years for the President; 25 for a Lok Sabha member.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1. 1.What is the only ground for impeachment of the President?Show answer

   Violation of the Constitution.

2. 2.Which Article allows the President to issue ordinances?Show answer

   Article 123.

3. 3.Within what time must a vacancy in the office of President be filled?Show answer

   Within six months.

4. 4.Who acts as President in a vacancy?Show answer

   The Vice-President.

5. 5.Under which Article is a Financial Emergency proclaimed?Show answer

   Article 360.

6. 6.Which two Union Territories' legislators vote in the presidential election?Show answer

   Delhi and Puducherry.

7. 7.Name the system used to elect the President.Show answer

   Proportional representation by single transferable vote, secret ballot.

8. 8.How many times can the President ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice?Show answer

   Once.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐President: constitutional head; real power with the Council of Ministers.
• ☐Qualifications: citizen, 35 years, qualified for the Lok Sabha, no office of profit.
• ☐Electoral College: elected MPs + elected MLAs of states, Delhi and Puducherry; PR by STV.
• ☐Indirect election: avoid rival power centre, save cost and time, include the states.
• ☐Term 5 years; resigns to the Vice-President; vacancy filled within 6 months.
• ☐Impeachment: violation of the Constitution; 14 days' notice; one-fourth signatures; two-thirds in both Houses.
• ☐Executive: appointments, Supreme Commander. Legislative: summon, prorogue, dissolve, assent, ordinance.
• ☐Financial: Money Bill recommendation, Contingency Fund, Finance Commission. Judicial: pardon (Art. 72).
• ☐Discretionary: PM in hung Parliament, dismissal or dissolution when majority lost, return advice once.
• ☐Emergencies: 352 National, 356 President's Rule, 360 Financial; two effects each.

The President: frequently asked questions