Art. 56 Part V: The Union

Term of Office of President

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The President shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office: Provided that—(a) the President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Vice-President, resign his office; (b) the President may, for violation of the Constitution, be removed from office by impeachment in the manner provided in article 61; (c) the President shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article fixes a 5-year presidential term, while providing three specific ways the term can end differently: voluntary resignation (addressed to the Vice-President), removal through the specific impeachment process under Article 61, or — importantly — automatic continuation in office past the formal 5-year mark until a successor actually takes over, ensuring there's never a gap with no President at all.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why India has never had a period with literally no sitting President, even during any transition delay — the outgoing President's term automatically extends until the new President is sworn in, guaranteeing continuous occupancy of the office.

Read alongside this one

Art. 61 — Procedure for Impeachment of the President

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 56

Can the President resign at any time for any reason?

Yes — clause (1)(a) gives the President an unrestricted right to resign by written notice to the Vice-President, without needing to give any specific justification.

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The text above reproduces Article 56 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.