Impeachment of the President of India

E54522

The Impeachment of the President of India is a constitutional process by which Parliament can remove the President from office for violation of the Constitution, requiring a special majority and adherence to strict procedural safeguards.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf constitutional process
parliamentary procedure
appliesToOffice President of India
approvalRequirement must be passed by the House where it is introduced
bindingOn incumbent President of India
chargeFormulation resolution containing the impeachment charges
constitutionalArticle Article 61 of the Constitution of India
constitutionalNature quasi-judicial function of Parliament
constitutionalObjective ensure accountability of the President
protect the Constitution of India
country India
distinctFrom no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers
recall procedures used in some other countries
removal of other constitutional authorities in India
effectOfSuccessfulImpeachment President is removed from office
effectTiming removal takes effect from the date of passing of the resolution by the second House
finalApprovalRequirement must be passed by the second House by special majority
groundForImpeachment violation of the Constitution of India
historicalFact no President of India has been successfully impeached as of 2024
initiatingBody Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
either House of Parliament
investigatingBody House of Parliament
committee appointed for investigation
legalBasis Constitution of India
natureOfGround single express ground of violation of the Constitution
noticeSignatoriesRequirement not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of the House
not less than one-half of the total number of members of the House
noticeSignatoriesVariation different thresholds apply in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
proceduralStage admission of the resolution by the presiding officer
final voting in both Houses of Parliament
investigation of charges
notice of intention to move the resolution
relatedOffice Vice President of India
relatedProcessDifference Vice President is removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha agreed to by the Lok Sabha
requiredNotice 14 days written notice
rightOfPresident right to appear in person during investigation
right to be represented by counsel
safeguard high majority thresholds
investigation of charges before final vote
right to defend against charges
strict procedural requirements
secondHouseRole gives the President a reasonable opportunity of being heard
investigates the charges
specialMajorityDefinition majority of the total membership of the House
two-thirds of the members present and voting
transmissionRequirement resolution passed by one House must be sent to the other House
triggerCondition allegation of violation of the Constitution
votingRequirement special majority

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Rajya Sabha
hasEqualPowersIn

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