The 'first citizen' of India is the:

The President of India is regarded as the first citizen of the country. He occupies the first position in the Table of Precedence.

Why the President is called the first citizen:

• He is the head of the Indian State.
• He represents the unity, integrity and solidarity of the nation.
• All executive actions of the Government of India are taken in his name (Article 77).

Table of Precedence (top positions):

• President.
• Vice-President.
• Prime Minister.
• Governors of states within their respective states.
• Former Presidents.

5A. Deputy Prime Minister.

• Chief Justice of India and Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Nominal head:

• The President is the nominal (constitutional) head of the executive.
• The real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
• Under Article 74, the President must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, as clarified by the 42nd and 44th Amendments.

Election:

The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college of elected members of Parliament and of the state and certain Union territory legislatures.

Powers of the President:

• Executive powers: appointing the Prime Minister, ministers, Governors, judges and other high officials.
• Legislative powers: summoning Parliament, giving assent to bills and issuing ordinances.
• Financial powers: Money Bills are introduced on his recommendation.
• Judicial powers: granting pardons under Article 72.
• Diplomatic powers: international treaties are made in his name.
• Emergency powers: proclaiming emergencies under Articles 352, 356 and 360.

Residence:

The President lives in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, one of the largest residences of any head of state.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Prime Minister is the head of government, third in the Table of Precedence.
• ✗The Chief Justice of India and the Speaker are sixth.