सं Samvidhan

The Constitution of India

Article 54

Election of President

The President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of—

(a) the elected members of both Houses of Parliament; and

(b) the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.

Explanation.—In this article and in article 55, ''State'' includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union territory of Pondicherry

Why this exists

The Constitution-makers wanted the President to be a nationally representative figure, not a directly elected rival power center to Parliament or the states, since India adopted a parliamentary system with a ceremonial head of state. An indirect election by elected representatives of both the Union and the States reflects federal balance—giving both the central legislature and state legislatures a voice—while keeping the President's authority distinct from that of a popularly elected Prime Minister. Delhi and Puducherry were later included because their legislative assemblies, though union territories, have elected members closely tied to governance.

Common misconceptions
  • Myth: All Indian citizens directly vote to choose the President.
    Fact: Citizens vote for their MPs and MLAs, and those elected representatives then vote to choose the President through the electoral college described in Article 54.
  • Myth: Nominated members of Parliament or state assemblies (like those nominated to Rajya Sabha) can vote in the Presidential election.
    Fact: Article 54 specifies only 'elected' members of Parliament and state Legislative Assemblies are part of the electoral college; nominated members are excluded.
  • Myth: Members of state Legislative Councils (upper houses) can vote for the President.
    Fact: Only elected members of the Legislative Assemblies (lower houses) of states are included; Legislative Council members have no role here.
Article 54 — Election of President · Samvidhan