Which one of the following statements about the election of the President of India is not correct?
A Union Minister shall not be eligible for election as the President.
Understanding the Election of the President of India
The election of the President of India is an important process defined by the Constitution of India. It involves an Electoral College and follows a specific voting system to ensure fair representation.
How is the President of India Elected? The Electoral College
The President of India is elected indirectly by an Electoral College. This college is different from the general electorate that votes in parliamentary or assembly elections.
The Electoral College for the Presidential election consists of:
- The elected members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
- The elected members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
- The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.
Crucially, nominated members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, as well as members of the State Legislative Councils (where they exist), are not part of the Electoral College for the Presidential election.
The Voting System: Proportional Representation with Single Transferable Vote
The method of election for the President is specified as proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Voting is done by secret ballot.
In this system, the value of votes of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies is calculated based on the population of the states and the total number of elected representatives. This ensures proportionality and uniformity across the country.
Eligibility Requirements for President of India
To be eligible for election as the President of India, a person must meet certain qualifications laid down in the Constitution (Article 58). These are:
- The person must be a citizen of India.
- The person must have completed the age of 35 years.
- The person must be qualified for election as a member of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
Additionally, a person must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, the Government of any State, or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
However, the Constitution makes specific exceptions regarding what constitutes an 'office of profit' for the purpose of Presidential eligibility. Article 58(2) clarifies that a person shall not be deemed to hold any office of profit by reason only that he is the President or Vice-President of the Union or the Governor of any State or is a Minister either for the Union or for any State.
This specific exemption means that holding the office of a Union Minister (or a State Minister, Governor, Vice-President, or even the President themselves) does not disqualify someone from being eligible to contest the election for President.
Analyzing the Statements
Let's examine each statement provided in the question:
- “A Union Minister shall not be eligible for election as the President.”
Based on Article 58(2) of the Constitution, holding the office of a Union Minister is explicitly excluded from being considered an 'office of profit' for Presidential eligibility. Therefore, a Union Minister is eligible to be elected as President. This statement says they are not eligible, which makes this statement incorrect.
- “The President is elected by the elected members of the Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories.”
This statement accurately describes the composition of the Electoral College for the President's election, including elected MPs and MLAs from states and the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. This statement is correct.
- “The Electoral College does not include elected members of the Legislative Councils.”
This statement is correct. Members of the State Legislative Councils are indeed not part of the Electoral College for the Presidential election.
- “The system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote is followed.”
This statement correctly describes the voting method used for the election of the President of India, as specified in the Constitution.
Identifying the Incorrect Statement about President Election
Comparing the analysis with the given statements, the statement that is not correct regarding the election of the President of India is that a Union Minister shall not be eligible. In fact, they are eligible as holding a ministerial position is not considered an 'office of profit' in this context.
Revision Table: Key Facts on President Election
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Electing Body | Electoral College |
| Electoral College Members | Elected MPs (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha), Elected MLAs (States & UTs of Delhi & Puducherry) |
| Voting System | Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote |
| Eligibility Age (Minimum) | 35 years |
| Eligibility Qualification | Qualified for election as Lok Sabha member |
| 'Office of Profit' Exception | Minister (Union/State), VP, Governor, President not considered office of profit for eligibility |
Additional Information: Related Presidential Concepts
The President's election is a crucial part of India's democratic structure. Other related concepts include the nomination process (requiring proposers and seconders), the oath taken by the President, the President's term of office (five years), and the procedure for impeachment if the President violates the Constitution.
Similar Questions
Which one of the following statements about the Vice-President of India is not correct ?
Which one of the following States does not have a Legislative Council?
Rajya Sabha has exclusive jurisdiction in
A Joint Sitting of the Parliament is resorted to, for resolving the deadlock between two Houses of the Parliament for passing which of the following Bills?
1. Money Bill
2. Constitutional Amendment Bill
3. Ordinary Bill
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising of elected members of which of the following?
1. Both the Houses of the Parliament
2. The Legislative Assemblies of States
3. The Legislative Councils of States
4. The Legislative Assemblies of NCT of Delhi and Puducherry
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following statements:
1. The President of India shall have the power to appoint and remove the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
2. The Speaker has to discharge the functions of his office himself throughout his term and cannot delegate his functions to the Deputy Speaker during his absence from the station or during his illness.Which of the following statements regarding Rajya Sabha is/are correct?
1. The maximum permissible strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250.
2. In Rajya Sabha, 238 members are elected indirectly from the States and Union Territories.
3. It shares legislative powers equally with Lok Sabha in matters such as the creation of All India Services.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Consider the following statements about the President of India:
1. The President has the right to address and send messages to the Council of Ministers to elicit specific information.
2. The President can call for information relating to proposals for legislation.
3. All decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union must be communicated to the President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Who among the following Prime Ministers of India was defeated by a vote of No Confidence?
1. Morarji Desai
2. Viswanath Pratap Singh
3. H.D. Deve Gowda
4. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Which of the following statements relating to the powers of the President of India is/are correct?
1. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
2. The executive power shall be exercised by the President only through officers subordinate to him.
3. The supreme command of the defense forces of the Union shall be vested in the President.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Important Questions from Central Government
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
What is correct about the dismissal of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha ?
i. He can be dismissed by no-confidence motion
ii. To introduce such resolution prior notice of 14 days is essential
iii. Such resolution should be passed by absolute majority
iv. Such resolution should be passed by a majority of the ten members of the house
What is correct ?
i. Finance Bill can be introduced in Lok Sabha only
ii. Rajya Sabha can detain the Finance Bill
If the Vice President removed from his office, what shall happened?
Consider the following statements :
1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies.
2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies.
3. As per the- existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
