RAS question
What is the term of office of the President of India?
Correct answer: (C) 5 years.
Under Article 56 of the Constitution of India, the President of India holds office for five years from the date on which he enters upon office.
Explanation
Article 56 fixes the President's ordinary term at five years, counted from the date on which he enters upon office. That is why the answer is five years, not a variable or politically decided tenure. The same provision also explains why the office does not become vacant merely because the five-year period has ended: the President continues until the successor enters upon office. It also gives two key qualifications to the term. The President may resign by writing to the Vice-President, and may be removed for violation of the Constitution by impeachment in the manner provided in Article 61. The President is eligible for re-election, so completion of one five-year term does not itself bar another term.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Four years is wrong because Article 56 expressly sets the President's term at five years from entering office.
- (B) Six years is wrong because the constitutional term stated in Article 56 is five years, not six.
- (D) No fixed term is wrong because Article 56 gives a fixed five-year term, although the President may resign, be removed by impeachment, or continue until a successor enters office.
Concept
This tests the Union Executive provisions of the Constitution, especially Article 56 on the President's tenure. It recurs in RAS because basic constitutional offices, fixed terms, resignation and removal rules are standard polity foundations.