Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: There is no bar on the number of times
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic constitutional knowledge regarding the office of the President of India. Competitive examinations frequently ask about eligibility, term, and re election provisions for constitutional posts such as the President, Vice President, and Governors. Understanding whether there is a limit on the number of terms is important because it affects how one interprets continuity and change in the highest constitutional office of the country.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Article 56 of the Constitution provides that the President holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re election. It does not impose a numerical limit on how many times a person may be re elected. Therefore, as long as the candidate continues to meet eligibility criteria and is elected by the Electoral College, the person can theoretically serve multiple terms. In contrast, some other countries, such as the United States, have term limits for their Presidents. Since no such limit exists in the Indian Constitution, the correct answer is that there is no bar on the number of times a person can be elected President.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the term of office for the President of India is five years.
Step 2: Remember that the Constitution clearly states that the President is eligible for re election.
Step 3: Note that no article sets a specific maximum number of terms such as two or three.
Step 4: Conclude that there is no constitutional bar on the number of times a person can be elected President.
Verification / Alternative check:
A reading of the relevant constitutional provisions confirms that while the term is fixed at five years, the phrase used is that the President is eligible for re election, without mentioning any upper limit. Commentaries on the Constitution and standard polity textbooks also highlight that there is no term limit for the Indian President, in contrast to certain presidential systems with explicit restrictions on the number of terms.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options A, B, and C introduce limits of one, two, or three terms that are not found in the constitutional text. These options may be influenced by knowledge of other countries where presidents can serve only a limited number of terms, but such restrictions do not apply in India. Therefore, any answer suggesting a maximum number of terms is incorrect in the Indian context.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates project the two term limit of the United States presidency onto the Indian system and mistakenly choose the option that allows at most two terms. Others may assume that an unwritten convention exists where most Presidents serve only one term and interpret that as a formal rule. It is important to distinguish between constitutional provisions and actual political practice when answering such questions.
Final Answer:
There is no constitutional bar on the number of times a person can be elected as President of India.
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