Skip to content
ICSE Question Bank
2016Q4(a)The Union Executive: The President and the Vice-President
Short answerHard3 marks
4

With reference to the President of India, answer the following:

How is the President elected?

Topic: Election of the President

Previous-year question practice database

Answer

Exam answer

The President is elected INDIRECTLY, by an ELECTORAL COLLEGE consisting of: (1) the ELECTED members of both Houses of Parliament, and (2) the ELECTED members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including Delhi and Puducherry).

The election is held by the system of PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION by means of a SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE, and the voting is by secret ballot. The value of each vote is weighted according to the population represented, so as to secure uniformity among the States and parity between the States and the Union. Disputes about the election are decided by the Supreme Court.

Explanation

Three marks: the Electoral College, the method, and the weighting or the secret ballot. The detail candidates most often miss is that only ELECTED members vote — nominated members of Parliament and members of the State Legislative Councils do not. The weighting explains WHY the system exists: it makes the President the representative of the whole nation, States included.

More from The Union Executive: The President and the Vice-President

Given below are the details of a few Indian Citizens. W — 30 years — Is an army officer X — 25 years — Is a Union Leader Y — 34 years — Is a school Principal Z — 69 years — Is a retired Professor Select the one who is eligible to be a Vice President.2026The rule mentioned in the headline below can be proclaimed in a state on the recommendation of __________.2026Mention any two reasons for the indirect election of the President.2026When can the President introduce an Ordinance? When does an Ordinance become inoperative?2026Which emergency will be declared by the President if the security of the Nation is under threat?2025Explain the impeachment process through which the Parliament can remove the President from power.2025