Who became the 14th President of India in July 2017?

Introduction / Context:
The President of India is the head of state and the supreme commander of the armed forces. The numerical order of Presidents is often asked in competitive exams, especially when recent changes take place. This question checks knowledge of the person who became the 14th President of India following the 2017 Presidential election.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The post is President of India, not Vice President.
- The question specifies the 14th President.
- The year of assumption of office is July 2017.
- The options include Ram Nath Kovind, Meira Kumar, and some distractor names, as well as Pranab Mukherjee who was the outgoing President.

Concept / Approach:
In 2017, India held a Presidential election in which Ram Nath Kovind was the National Democratic Alliance candidate and Meira Kumar was the opposition candidate. Ram Nath Kovind won the election and took office as the 14th President of India, succeeding Pranab Mukherjee, who had been the 13th President. Therefore, the correct answer is Ram Nath Kovind.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the 2017 Presidential election was contested mainly between Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar. Step 2: Remember that Ram Nath Kovind was elected with a clear majority as the 14th President of India. Step 3: Note that Pranab Mukherjee, who held office before Ram Nath Kovind, was the 13th President, not the 14th. Step 4: Recognise that the other names in the options, such as Sreedharan and Vaidyanathan, are distractors and have not served as President. Step 5: Therefore, identify Ram Nath Kovind as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official records from the Election Commission of India and Rashtrapati Bhavan confirm that Ram Nath Kovind assumed office as the 14th President of India on 25 July 2017. Media reports and standard current affairs summaries further confirm this fact, leaving no doubt about the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Meira Kumar: She was the opposition candidate in the 2017 Presidential election but did not win, hence she did not become the 14th President.
Sreedharan: Famous as an engineer and project leader in Indian Railways and metro projects, but has never served as President.
Vaidyanathan: A distractor name in this context and not a President of India.
Pranab Mukherjee: Served as the 13th President of India before Ram Nath Kovind and therefore cannot be the 14th President.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse the numbering of Presidents or mix up contemporaneous appointments like the election of Ram Nath Kovind as President and M Venkaiah Naidu as Vice President in the same year. Others may mistakenly choose Pranab Mukherjee because of his prominence. Careful attention to both the number (14th) and the year (2017) is key to selecting the right option.

Final Answer:
The 14th President of India, elected in 2017, is Ram Nath Kovind.