Art. 58 Part V: The Union

Qualifications for Election as President

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) No person shall be eligible for election as President unless he—(a) is a citizen of India; (b) has completed the age of thirty-five years; and (c) is qualified for election as a member of the House of the People. (2) A person shall not be eligible for election as President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article sets the basic eligibility criteria — Indian citizenship, minimum age of 35, and the same qualifications required for Lok Sabha membership — while also barring anyone currently holding a government 'office of profit' from being eligible, ensuring a clean separation between the presidential candidacy and simultaneous government employment.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why sitting government officials, judges, or civil servants generally need to have left their positions before being eligible to contest for President — the 'office of profit' bar is specifically designed to prevent someone from holding both a government job and campaigning for the presidency simultaneously.

Read alongside this one

Art. 59 — Conditions of the President's Office

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 58

Does being a Governor or Chief Minister count as an 'office of profit' barring presidential candidacy?

The Constitution specifically exempts the offices of President, Vice-President, Governor, and Ministers themselves from being treated as disqualifying 'offices of profit' for this purpose — so a sitting Governor or Chief Minister CAN be eligible to contest for President.

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The text above reproduces Article 58 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.