List of Presidents in India

Introduction

After years of colonized British control, our country was eventually able to break free in 1947. The year of independence, 1947, was when the entire country came together into a patriotic fold. Thus started our "trial with destiny," a beneficial, though time-consuming, procedure.

The Constituent Assembly was established and wrote an epic constitution. The world's longest constitution clearly expresses its cultural diversity, justice for all, liberty, equality, fraternity, and dignity. The Constitution of India came into force on November 26, 1949. It came into force on January 26, 1950, when India was declared as 'Purna Swaraj' by the then government, the Indian National Congress.

Since the adoption of the Indian constitution in 1950, 13 personalities have served as Presidents, and the 14th one is currently serving his tenure (since July 25, 2017). The President of India is also known and referred to as the first citizen of India. According to the Indian constitution of article 53, the President of India has all executive powers of union and shall be exercised either directly or through officers. Let us see all about the Presidents of India from 1950 to 2021.

1. Dr Rajendra Prasad

Rajendra Prasad, an inspiring independence warrior and a key player in the Quit India Movement, was elected as India's first President by the Constituent Assembly. In 1951, he was also chosen by the Electoral College. Prasad was re-elected as India's head of state in 1957. As a result, he became the only Indian President to serve two terms. His serving period for India was from 26 January 1950, to 12 May 1962. President Prasad established a high bar for future holders of the office.

2. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an accomplished academic and scholar and an erudite philosopher and teacher, was chosen as India's second President. His tenure was from 1962 to 1967. In 1931, Radhakrishnan was knighted, and in 1954, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna. His ascension to the post placed a strong emphasis on the country's educational system and intellectual progress. Radhakrishnan was not from a political background. Before starting his political career, he served as Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). His entry into politics from an apolitical background had created history.

3. Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain, an outstanding scholar and educator, followed in the footsteps of S. Radhakrishnan and was chosen as India's third President. Before being elected as president he was the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and a co-founder of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Dr Husain was India's first Muslim President, served for two years from 1967 till his death in 1969. Following his death, Mohammad Hidayatullah was appointed interim President. Previously, Dr Husain served as the Governor of Bihar. He was also a Bharat Ratna awardee in 1963. He was the country's first Muslim President, as well as the first to die in office.

4. V. V. Giri

Varahagiri Venkata Giri, also known as V.V. Giri. He was a Congress leader and was elected as the fourth President of India from August 24, 1969, to August 24, 1974. After the unexpected demise of Zakir Husain's in office, Vice President Varahagiri Venkata Giri was elevated to the role of (acting) President of India. Before becoming Vice President and then President, he served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Kerala and Karnataka. He served in this role for many months before resigning to be considered for the forthcoming presidential elections.

5. Mohammad Hidayatullah

Mohammad Hidayatullah's was a well-known personality. He was an outstanding lawyer and scholar who served as Chief Justice of India from 1968 to 1980 and had a spotless record. He acted as vice president of India from July 20, 1969, to August 24, 1969. After V.V Giri's resignation as acting President, Mohammad Hidayatullah took over as India's next interim President until the next elections.

6. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was a minister before being elected as India's President. His tenure was arguably the most contentious. The state had imposed an emergency over the country at that time. Elections and other civil liberties, including press freedom, were restricted during this period, and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi acquired unlimited power. He was the second president to die while serving India. He worked as the President of India for 3 years, from August 24, 1974, to February 11, 1977.

7. Basappa Danappa Jatti

B.D Jatti made his first public appearance at the national level in 1968, when he was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry. After a five-year tenure, he was named Governor of Orissa in 1973. The following year, in 1974, B.D Jatti relocated to New Delhi to take over as Vice-President of India. He was also Rajya Sabha's ex-officio Chairman till 1979. He also served as President of India for a brief time of 5 months, from February 11, 1977, to July 25, 1977, following the tragic death of the then President of India, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed on June 8, 2002.

8. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

N S Reddy was another well-known freedom fighter from south India. Starting his political career, he was elected as a union cabinet minister two times under Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. N S Reddy also served as a party member of the Indian National Congress, the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha before the presidency. He became a member of the Janata Party in 1975. And then, he was elected President of India on July 25, 1977, and remained so until July 25, 1982.

9. Giani Zail Singh

Zail Singh was a prominent member of the Indian National Congress. Before becoming President, he served as Union Home Minister, Congress leader, and Chief Minister of Punjab. Giani was the first Sikh to become President of India. His presidency handled one of the most politically charged moments in history i.e., Operation Blue Star. Besides this, the murder of PM Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 were also some of the hideous events that occurred during this time. He was one of the longest-running presidents for 5 years from July 25, 1982, to July 25, 1987.

10. Ramaswamy Venkataraman

R. Venkataraman was the eighth President of India and served his tenure from July 25, 1987, to July 25, 1992. He was an independence warrior and later became a member of the Congress party. Before being elected as President of India, R. Venkataraman was a member of Lok Sabha four times, and also served as a Finance Minister, Vice President and Defence Minister. For his Nobel works, he was awarded Tamra Patra from India and Soviet Land Prize from Russia.