2.5. Vacancy in the Office of President

Condition of Vacancy	Who shall act as President
On Expiry of his Term of Five Years	Election must be conducted before expiry of the term. If somehow election is delayed, the outgoing President continues to hold the office, until his successor assumes the office.
By his Death, Resignation, Removal by impeachment, Otherwise, for e.g. he becomes disqualified to hold office.	Vice President assumes the office until a new President is elected. Elections are to be held within six months of occurrence of the vacancy.
Illness or Absence from India	Vice President assumes the office until the President resumes his duties.

Note: In case the office of Vice President is vacant, the Chief Justice of India (or if his office is also vacant, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court available) shall act as the President of India.

When the Vice President, Shri V. V. Giri, who was acting as the President due to the vacancy caused by the death of the President, Dr. Zakir Husain, resigned from the office of the Vice President in 1969, the Chief Justice of India, Shri M. Hidayatullah, discharged the functions of the President.