2.5. Republic

A democratic polity can be classified into two categories – monarchy and republic. In a monarchy, the head of the state (usually king or queen) enjoys a hereditary position (example: Britain, Japan). In a republic, the head of the state is always elected directly or indirectly for a fixed period (example: US, India)

The Preamble declares that source of all authority under the Constitution is the people of India

and there is no subordination to any external authority. While, Pakistan remained a British Dominion until 1956, India ceased to be a dominion and declared herself a ‘Republic’ since enacting the Constitution in 1949.

We have an elected President as the Head of State and all offices including that of the President are open to all citizens.