Name Pranab Mukherjee - Preceded by - Pratibha Patil Date of Birth - Dec 11, 1935 Place of Birth - Mirati, British India Qualifications - MA degree in political science and history and also an L.B degree from the department of law of the University of Calcutta Religion - Hindu Spouse name - Suvra Mukherjee Assumed office - Jul 25, 2012 Children - 2 Sons & 1 Daughter
Pranab Mukherjee is the current & 13th President of India. He took office on July 25th, 2012. Pranab Mukherjee is a veteran congressman who has served both in the government as well as the opposition. 76 year old Mukherjee has held several high profile portfolios in the government, including Finance, Defence & Foreign Ministry. Born in Birbhum district of West Bengal in1935, Mukherjee went on to get a Master's degree in History & Political Science, as well as a degree in Law . Pranab Mukherjee got a break in politics in 1969,when he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha with the help of Indira Gandhi. Mukherjee briefly left the Congress in the 80s to form his own party - Rashtriya Samajwadi Party, but came back, after he merged the party with the Congress in 1989. Mukherjee ascended in the next two decades to prominence in the Congress party, as one of the key troubleshooters in the party. Once nominated by the UPA for President's chair, Pranab Mukherjee defeated PA Sangma, winning 70% of the electoral-college vote
Election of the President
Article 54 of the Indian Constitution discusses the election of the President. It says that the President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college, which consists of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament, and the Legislative Assemblies of the States and the two Union Territories, namely Delhi and Puducherry. The election of the President is held in accordance with a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. He can be re-elected to the office of the President. The oath of the President is administered by the Chief Justice of India, and in his absence, by the most senior judge of the Supreme Court.
Term of office
Powers of President
The President of India is vested with the Executive, Legislative, Emergency, Diplomatic, Judicial and Military powers.
Salary and residence of President of India
The salary and allowances of the President are fixed by the Parliament of India. The current salary of the President is Rs 150000 per month. His official residence is Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.