Under the Constitution of India, the President of India can be removed from office by which of the following authorities through the process of impeachment?

Introduction / Context:
The President of India is the head of State and holds office for a term of five years, but can be removed before the expiry of the term under certain conditions and through a specific constitutional procedure. This process is known as impeachment and is designed to be rigorous so that removal is not casual or politically motivated. This question asks you to identify which authority under the Constitution actually removes the President from office through impeachment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the removal of the President of India from office before the completion of the term.
• The options include the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Parliament and Lok Sabha.
• We know that impeachment involves both Houses of Parliament and specific majority requirements.
• We assume the standard constitutional position under Article 61 of the Constitution of India.

Concept / Approach:
Article 61 of the Constitution of India lays down the procedure for impeachment of the President on the ground of violation of the Constitution. The process begins with a written notice and is conducted by Parliament. One House frames the charges and passes the impeachment resolution by a special majority, and the other House investigates and also passes the resolution by a similar special majority. At the end of this process, if the resolution is passed by both Houses, the President stands removed from office. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Chief Justice nor a single House such as the Lok Sabha alone can remove the President; it is a collective act of Parliament as an institution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that impeachment of the President is provided for in Article 61 of the Constitution.Step 2: Understand that the charges are initiated by one House of Parliament and then investigated by the other House.Step 3: Note that a special majority (two thirds of the members present and voting, and a majority of the total membership) is required in each House for the impeachment resolution.Step 4: Recognise that neither the Prime Minister nor the Chief Justice of India has independent authority to remove the President; they may have roles in other contexts, but not in impeachment.Step 5: Conclude that it is Parliament, acting through both its Houses, that removes the President by impeachment.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian polity texts emphasise that the President can only be removed for violation of the Constitution and only by the process of impeachment undertaken by Parliament. They describe in detail how a notice signed by a minimum number of members is given, how an investigation may be conducted, and how the final resolution is passed by both Houses. No constitutional provision gives the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, or the Lok Sabha acting alone the power to remove the President. This confirms that Parliament as a whole is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Prime Minister of India: The Prime Minister is the head of government, not the authority who removes the head of State; he or she may advise the President but cannot impeach or remove the President.
• Chief Justice of India: The Chief Justice may preside over the President's oath of office and may be involved in inquiries, but does not have the power to remove the President.
• Lok Sabha: Although the Lok Sabha may initiate or participate in the impeachment, removal requires action by both Houses; Lok Sabha alone cannot remove the President.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often misinterpret the role of the Chief Justice or think that the popularly elected Lok Sabha should alone have the power to remove the President. Others confuse impeachment procedures with no confidence motions, which apply to the Council of Ministers, not to the President. To avoid confusion, remember that impeachment is a constitutional process involving both Houses of Parliament and is the only way to remove the President for violation of the Constitution.

Final Answer:
The President of India can be removed from office by Parliament through the process of impeachment.