The presidential elections are not very far. As President Ram Nath Kovind’s term nears its end, the political circle is in talks and speculations on who the next nominal head of the country’s executive will be.
As parties, both ruling and opposition, attempt to build their consensus on candidates, ahead of the President polls which is schedule for 18th June 2022.
Now the big question will be what would our lives be like as the President of India?
What salary we get, apart from the lofty and cumbersome duties of being the President?
Where would we vacation?
Could we ever even be eligible to become the President of India?
Eligibility
According to the Constitution of India, there are some conditions set that one must complete to be eligible for the grand post :
1) No person shall be eligible for election as President unless he or she :
- Is a citizen of India,
- Has completed the age of thirty-five years,
- Is qualified for election as a member of the House of the People (Lok Sabha)
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.
So, say you meet all of the above requirements, then your nomination will be valid.
Salary
First, you will be drawing a salary of approximately Rs 5 lakh/month.
The salary of the Indian President is determine by the law known as the President’s Achievement and Pension Act of 1951.
The President of India is the highest-paid government official in the country.
In 2018, the President’s salary was increase from Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 per month.
According to the Second Schedule of the Indian Constitution, originally, the President of India use to be paid 10,000 rupees per month.
In 1998, the amount was raise to Rs. 50,000.
Address
Only in the largest residence of any head of the state in the world.
Your address : Rashtrapati Bhawan, President’s Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110004.
Originally built as the Viceroy of India’s residence, Viceroy’s House, as it was then known, has evolve into today’s Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Complete in 1929, Rashtrapati Bhavan may refer to the 340-room main building that houses the president’s official residence, including reception halls, guest rooms, and offices, also known as the mansion.
But it may also refer to the entire 130-hectare (320-acre) Presidential Estate, which includes the presidential gardens, large open spaces, bodyguard and staff residences, stables, other offices, and utilities within its perimeter walls.
“Rashtrapati Bhavan was the creation of architects of exceptional imagination and masterfulness, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
It was Sir Lutyens who conceptualize the H shape building, covering an area of 5 acres on a 330 acre estate,” according to the official website dedicate to the Palace.
Even the public can pay a visit to the estate on selected days.
You can also tour the estate online view its gardens to its museum on the official Rashtrapati Bhavan website.
Vacation
There are two vacation retreats present for the President of India, one in the north and one in the south.
The Retreat Building, Mashobra, Shimla
Located on the Mashobra’s hilltop, the President visits The Retreat at least once a year, and the core office moves there during his stay.
The Retreat is located in a picturesque setting, thousands of feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top.
The architectural pattern and natural beauty of the location have made The Retreat a popular tourist destination in Shimla.
The structure is entirely made of wood with dajji walls.
The building, which built in 1850, has a plinth area of 10,628 square feet.
Bolarum, Hyderabad: Rashtrapati Nilayam
The Rashtrapati Nilayam building, locate in Bolarum, was taken over from the Nizam of Hyderabad after India’s independence and hand over to the President’s Secretariat.
This building, which was built in 1860, has a total land area of 90 acres.
It is a single-story structure with 11 rooms on the premises.
There is also a Dining Hall, a Cinema Hall, a Darbar Hall, a Morning Room, and a Dining Room.
The President of India visits Rashtrapati Nilayam at least once a year and conducts official business from there.
Travel
While the cars of Indian Presidents get update according to time and technology, the Home Ministry clearly states that the make, model, and registration numbers of the President of India’s cars are a state secret, and that disclosing such information would jeopardise the first citizen’s security.
Another interesting fact is that these cars lack a licence plate and instead display the national symbol, the Ashoka Pillar.
President Kovind was suppose to get a new car in January 2021, but the pandemic cause a delay, and he only receive the new vehicle, a Mercedes Maybach S600 Pullman Guard, before the Independence Day on 15th August.
According to a report, The President’s Merc, like the Prime Minister’s armoure Mercedes, can survive :
- VR9-level ballistic protection
- Handguns shots of upto .44 Calibre
- Military Rifle Shots
- Bombs
- Other Explosives
- Gas Attacks
The President’s motorcade includes many other vehicles in addition to his black Mercedes Maybach.
The former presidential car, a black Mercedes-Benz armoure limousine that can serve as a backup vehicle, is one of the vehicles in this convoy.
Previous presidents of India have also use Cadillacs, Rolls Royce and many more.
Security
The President’s Bodyguard (PBG) provides security for India’s President.
PBG is not only the most senior but also the oldest unit in the Indian Armed Forces.
It is also the world’s only horseback riding military unit.
PBG serves as a ceremonial unit during peacetime but can also be deploy during wartime because they are traine paratroopers.
Retirement
After retirement, the President of India is entitle to numerous benefits.
- A pension of Rs. 1.5 lakh per month (at current rates).
- Presidents’ spouses will receive Rs. 30,000 per month in secretarial assistance.
- One fully furnished and rent-free bungalow (Type VIII).
- Two free landlines as well as a mobile phone
- Five personal employees – Annual staff expenses of Rs.60,000
- Free train or air travel with a companion.
