List of Presidents (1950–Present)

Note: The list is arranged from the latest (Incumbent) to the earliest (1950).

Droupadi Murmu (b. 1958)

Tenure: July 25, 2022 – Incumbent

Prior Office: Governor of Jharkhand

Key Facts:

  • First Tribal President of India.
  • Second woman to hold the office.
  • First President to be born after Independence.
  • Youngest person to be elected President.

Ram Nath Kovind (b. 1945)

Tenure: July 25, 2017 – July 25, 2022

Prior Office: Governor of Bihar

Key Facts:

  • Second Dalit President of India (after K.R. Narayanan).

Pranab Mukherjee (1935–2020)

Tenure: July 25, 2012 – July 25, 2017

Prior Office: Union Finance Minister

Key Facts:

  • First President from West Bengal.
  • Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019.

Pratibha Patil (b. 1934)

Tenure: July 25, 2007 – July 25, 2012

Prior Office: Governor of Rajasthan

Key Facts:

  • First Woman President of India.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015)

Tenure: July 25, 2002 – July 25, 2007

Background: Scientist (Aerospace/Defense)

Key Facts:

  • Known as the "Missile Man of India" and "People's President".
  • First scientist and first bachelor to become President.
  • First President to be elected with the support of both ruling and opposition parties unanimously (mostly).

K.R. Narayanan (1920–2005)

Tenure: July 25, 1997 – July 25, 2002

Prior Office: Vice President of India

Key Facts:

  • First Dalit President of India.
  • Oldest person to be elected President (at that time).
  • First President to vote in a general election while in office.

Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918–1999)

Tenure: July 25, 1992 – July 25, 1997

Prior Office: Vice President of India

Key Facts:

  • Served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra before becoming VP.

R. Venkataraman (1910–2009)

Tenure: July 25, 1987 – July 25, 1992

Prior Office: Vice President of India

Key Facts:

  • Appointed four Prime Ministers during his tenure (Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, and P.V. Narasimha Rao).

Giani Zail Singh (1916–1994)

Tenure: July 25, 1982 – July 25, 1987

Prior Office: Union Home Minister

Key Facts:

  • First Sikh President of India.
  • Famous for exercising the Pocket Veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986.

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913–1996)

Tenure: July 25, 1977 – July 25, 1982

Prior Office: Speaker of Lok Sabha

Key Facts:

  • Elected Unopposed: The only President to be elected unopposed.
  • Youngest President ever elected (until Droupadi Murmu).

B.D. Jatti (1912–2002)

Tenure: Feb 11, 1977 – July 25, 1977 (Acting)
Note: Acting President following the death of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1905–1977)

Tenure: Aug 24, 1974 – Feb 11, 1977

Key Facts:

  • Second President to die in office.
  • Signed the proclamation of Emergency in 1975.

V.V. Giri (1894–1980)

Tenure: Aug 24, 1969 – Aug 24, 1974

Key Facts:

  • Only President to be elected as an independent candidate.
  • Only President elected on the basis of Second Preference Votes.

Mohammad Hidayatullah (1905–1992)

Tenure: July 20, 1969 – Aug 24, 1969 (Acting)

Key Facts:

  • Chief Justice of India who served as Acting President (as both President and VP positions were vacant).

V.V. Giri (Acting)

Tenure: May 3, 1969 – July 20, 1969
Note: Resigned as Acting President to contest the Presidential Election.

Dr. Zakir Husain (1897–1969)

Tenure: May 13, 1967 – May 3, 1969

Key Facts:

  • First Muslim President of India.
  • First President to die in office.
  • Shortest Tenure among all Presidents.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975)

Tenure: May 13, 1962 – May 13, 1967

Prior Office: First Vice President of India

Key Facts:

  • His birthday (Sept 5) is celebrated as Teacher's Day.
  • First Vice President to become President.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1884–1963)

Tenure: Jan 26, 1950 – May 13, 1962

Background: Freedom Fighter, President of Constituent Assembly

Key Facts:

  • First President of Independent India.
  • Longest Serving: The only President to serve two full terms (12 years).

Important Facts Summary

  • Longest Tenure: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962).
  • Shortest Tenure: Dr. Zakir Husain (died in office).
  • Elected Unopposed: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977).
  • First Woman: Pratibha Patil (2007).
  • First Tribal: Droupadi Murmu (2022).
  • Died in Office: Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
  • CJI as Acting President: Justice M. Hidayatullah (1969).
  • Pocket Veto Used by: Giani Zail Singh (1986).

Practice Questions

Q1: Who is the only President of India to have been elected unopposed?

Answer: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977).

Q2: Who was the first Chief Justice of India to officiate as the President?

Answer: Justice M. Hidayatullah (July–August 1969).

Q3: Which President is known for exercising the 'Pocket Veto'?

Answer: Giani Zail Singh (on the Indian Post Office Amendment Bill).

Q4: Who are the two Presidents who died while in office?

Answer: Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

Q5: Which President was elected based on second preference votes?

Answer: V.V. Giri.