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President of India: Election and Impeachment, ICSE 10

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History & CivicsICSE Class 10 · The President

The President of India: Qualifications, Electoral College, Term and Impeachment (ICSE Class 10 Civics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The President must be an Indian citizen of at least 35, qualified to be a Lok Sabha member and holding no office of profit. The President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and of the state Legislative Assemblies (including Delhi and Puducherry), serves five years and can be removed only by impeachment for violating the Constitution, by two-thirds of the total membership of each House.

Only elected MPs and MLAs vote, in secret; the President serves five years and can be removed only by a two-thirds vote in both Houses.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The President: Election, Term and Impeachment

1. Qualifications. Citizen of India; at least 35 years old; qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha; no office of profit under the Union, a state or a local authority. The President, Vice-President, a Governor or a minister is not treated as holding an office of profit for this purpose.

2. Electoral College. The people do not vote. The voters are:

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

Nominated members and members of state Legislative Councils do not vote. Voting is secret, by proportional representation using the single transferable vote. Votes are weighted so that the states together and Parliament together carry equal weight, and larger states count for more.

3. Why an indirect election?
1. The President is only a constitutional head; a President chosen by the whole nation could claim a popular mandate and rival the Prime Minister.
2. A nationwide election would be costly and time-consuming for an office with limited real power.
3. Including the state assemblies makes the President represent the states as well as the Union.
4. Elected representatives are themselves chosen by the people, so the process stays democratic.

4. Term. Five years from taking office; eligible for re-election. The President may resign by writing to the Vice-President. If the office falls vacant the Vice-President acts, and a new election must be held within six months.

5. Impeachment. The one ground is *violation of the Constitution*. The steps are:
1. A resolution is moved in either House, signed by at least one-fourth of its total members, after at least 14 days' written notice to the President.
2. It must be passed by at least two-thirds of the total membership of that House.
3. The other House investigates the charge, or has it investigated. The President may appear or be represented.
4. If that House, too, passes a resolution by at least two-thirds of its total membership declaring the charge proved, the President is removed from the date of that resolution.
Nominated members take part in impeachment, although they cannot vote in the election.

The President: Election, Term and Impeachment: key facts

Qualifications
  • Citizen of India
  • At least 35 years
  • Qualified for Lok Sabha
  • No office of profit
Four conditions.
Electoral College
  • Elected MPs of both Houses
  • Elected members of state Legislative Assemblies
  • Delhi and Puducherry included
  • Nominated members excluded
Who votes.
Term and vacancy
  • Five years
  • Re-election allowed
  • Vice-President acts
  • New election within six months
Term.
Impeachment
  • Ground: violation of the Constitution
  • One-fourth to move
  • 14 days notice
  • Two-thirds of total membership in each House
Four anchors.

How to answer The President: Election, Term and Impeachment questions

Expect 2-3 marks on qualifications, 3 marks on the Electoral College, 4 marks on reasons for indirect election, and 4-6 marks on impeachment.

  1. 1List qualifications as numbered points.
  2. 2For the Electoral College name both elected groups and say who is left out.
  3. 3Give at least three reasons for indirect election.
  4. 4For impeachment, write the steps in order with the numbers: one-fourth, 14 days, two-thirds.

The President: Election, Term and Impeachment in real life

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

Indirect choice

Suppose a school chooses its head boy through the class representatives rather than the whole school, because the head boy has only ceremonial duties.

Which feature of the President's election does this match, and why is it sensible?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The head boy has limited real power.
  2. Representatives are already elected by students.
  3. A full school campaign is not needed.

Answer: It matches the indirect election of the President, who is a constitutional head, so electing by representatives is cheaper and still democratic.

Memory hook: Representatives choose the figurehead.

Steps of removal

Imagine a society whose rules need one-fourth of the committee to bring a charge against the chairperson and two-thirds in each of two bodies to remove the chairperson.

Which Indian procedure does this resemble, and why is the bar set high?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It resembles the impeachment of the President.
  2. A high bar protects against frivolous charges.
  3. Both Houses must agree.

Answer: It resembles impeachment; the high majority prevents the office being removed for political reasons.

Memory hook: Low to charge, high to remove.

Tricks to remember The President: Election, Term and Impeachment

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

  • 35-LS

    Thirty-five years, qualified for Lok Sabha.

    Use it when: Qualifications.

  • E-E-D-P

    Elected MPs, Elected MLAs, Delhi, Puducherry.

    Use it when: Who votes for the President.

  • 1/4, 14, 2/3

    One-fourth to move, 14 days notice, two-thirds to pass.

    Use it when: Impeachment numbers.

The President: Election, Term and Impeachment: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Electoral College · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Who constitute the Electoral College for the election of the President? Who are excluded? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Elected members of both Houses of Parliament (1 mark).
  2. Elected members of state Legislative Assemblies including Delhi and Puducherry (1 mark).
  3. Nominated members and Legislative Councils excluded (1 mark).

Answer: The Electoral College consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states, including the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members and members of state Legislative Councils are excluded.

Example 2: Qualifications · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State any three qualifications for the office of President. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Citizen of India (1 mark).
  2. At least 35 years (1 mark).
  3. Qualified for Lok Sabha and no office of profit (1 mark).

Answer: He must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha; he must not hold any office of profit under any government or local authority.

Example 3: Indirect election · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Why is the President elected indirectly and not directly by the people? Give three reasons. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Constitutional head only (1 mark).
  2. Expense and time (1 mark).
  3. Represents states, avoids rival power centre (1 mark).

Answer: The President is only a constitutional head with limited powers, so a popular election would be unnecessary and a popular mandate could create a rival to the Prime Minister. A direct nationwide election would be expensive and slow. An election by elected representatives of the Union and the states makes the President a representative of both and keeps the process democratic.

Example 4: Impeachment · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the procedure for the impeachment of the President. [6]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Ground (1 mark).
  2. One-fourth and 14 days notice (2 marks).
  3. Two-thirds in first House (1 mark).
  4. Investigation and second House (2 marks).

Answer: The only ground is violation of the Constitution. A resolution signed by at least one-fourth of the total members of either House is moved after 14 days' written notice to the President. It must be passed by at least two-thirds of the total membership of that House. The other House investigates the charge, and the President may appear or be represented. If it too passes a resolution by two-thirds of its total membership declaring the charge proved, the President stands removed from that date.

Example 5: Case: a vacancy · 6 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case. The President dies in office. (i) Who performs the duties? [1] (ii) Within how long must a new President be elected? [1] (iii) Explain why the new President will be chosen indirectly. [2] (iv) Does the acting President have the President's powers? Explain. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) The Vice-President (1 mark).
  2. (ii) Six months (1 mark).
  3. (iii) Constitutional head with limited power; indirect election is cheaper and avoids a rival to the Prime Minister (2 marks).
  4. (iv) Yes, while acting he has all the President's powers and immunities (2 marks).

Answer: (i) The Vice-President acts as President. (ii) Within six months. (iii) The President is only a constitutional head, so a costly national election is unnecessary and a popular mandate could make the office a rival to the Prime Minister. (iv) Yes, while acting he exercises all the powers and enjoys the immunities of the President.

Where students lose marks in The President: Election, Term and Impeachment

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

  • Mistake: Including nominated members as electors

    Reading Electoral College loosely.

    Wrong working

    All members of Parliament vote.

    Right working

    Only elected members of both Houses and state assemblies.

    Do this: Write the word elected.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Omitting Delhi and Puducherry

    Missing the Union Territories.

    Wrong working

    Members of the state assemblies vote.

    Right working

    Also the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.

    Do this: Add the two names.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Wrong ground for impeachment

    Writing misbehaviour or incapacity (a judge's ground).

    Wrong working

    The President is impeached for misbehaviour.

    Right working

    Violation of the Constitution.

    Do this: Learn the ground separately.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Wrong majority

    Writing two-thirds of members present.

    Wrong working

    Two-thirds of members present and voting.

    Right working

    At least two-thirds of the total membership of the House.

    Do this: Say total membership.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Number each qualification and each impeachment step.
  • Use the word elected for the Electoral College.
  • Keep reasons for indirect election in four clear points.

Practice questions on The President: Election, Term and Impeachment

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

  1. Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    How long is the term of the President, and how may he resign? [2]

    Hint

    Five years; letter.

    Answer

    The President holds office for five years from the day of entering office and is eligible for re-election. He may resign by writing to the Vice-President.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why do nominated members of Parliament not vote in the Presidential election but do take part in impeachment? [3]

    Hint

    Election and removal differ.

    Answer

    The Electoral College consists of elected members only, because the election reflects the choice of the people through their representatives. In impeachment the whole Parliament sits as the body that judges a charge against the President, so every member of each House, including nominated ones, takes part.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain the composition and voting method of the Electoral College. [4]

    Hint

    Weighted STV.

    Answer

    The Electoral College consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the state Legislative Assemblies, including Delhi and Puducherry. Voting is by secret ballot through proportional representation by the single transferable vote. Votes are weighted so that the states and Parliament carry equal weight and larger states count for more.

  4. Q4 · 5 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Discuss how the safeguards in the impeachment procedure protect the President from removal for political reasons. [5]

    Hint

    Ground, notice, majorities, hearing.

    Answer

    Impeachment requires a specific ground, violation of the Constitution. One-fourth of the total members must sign the notice and 14 days' notice is given, so the President can prepare. Two-thirds of the total membership of each House is needed, a very high majority. The second House investigates and the President may appear and defend himself. These safeguards make removal difficult unless the charge has solid support.

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Assertion-reasonHOTS / competency

    Assertion (A): India has indirect election for the President. Reason (R): The President is the real head of the executive. Choose: (a) both true and R explains A; (b) both true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true. Justify. [3]

    Hint

    Real power with ministers.

    Answer

    (c). A is true because the President is chosen by an Electoral College. R is false: the President is the nominal head, and real executive power rests with the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, which is a reason for the indirect election.

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.Minimum age of the President?Show answer

    35 years.

  2. 2.How many years is the President's term?Show answer

    Five years.

  3. 3.Who acts if the office is vacant?Show answer

    The Vice-President.

  4. 4.What is the ground for impeaching the President?Show answer

    Violation of the Constitution.

  5. 5.What fraction must sign the impeachment notice?Show answer

    One-fourth of the total members of the House.

  6. 6.What notice is given to the President?Show answer

    At least 14 days.

The President: Election, Term and Impeachment: frequently asked questions

Can a President be re-elected?

Yes, there is no bar.

Do MLAs of Delhi vote?

Yes, elected members of the Delhi and Puducherry assemblies vote.

Which House begins the impeachment?

Either House may begin it.

Within what time is the new President elected after a vacancy?

Within six months.