2. President

A Cabinet form of government usually has two executives – one, the real head, and other, the titular or ceremonial head. It is the President, who is the titular head in India. His office is largely ceremonial in nature.

Such a titular head is needed because:

a) The President’s office can be considered above party politics, and is a symbol of unity, integrity and solidarity of the nation

b) As the life of Council of Ministers is uncertain and subject to it enjoying majority in the Lok Sabha, there has to be an office, with a fixed term, to ensure continuity in administration

c) An additional reason in the context of India is federalism. Members of State Legislative Assemblies also participate in the President’s elections; and hence the President can be said to represent the States too, apart from the Union.

According to Article 52, there shall be a President of India who would be the Head of the Union Executive. Here, the word “shall” means that there would always be a President of India. The post shall never lie vacant. It cannot be abolished. Election of the President must be completed before the expiry of his term. In case of temporary absence due to illness etc., it would be the Vice President who holds the Office of the President, until the President resumes his duties.