January 22, 2026

Presidential Addresses Archive Joint Session Speeches & Republic Day Messages (1950-2026)

Presidential Addresses Archive: Joint Session Speeches & Republic Day Messages (1950-2026) description: "The ultimate 24x7 guide to the President of India's speeches. Access the full text of Addresses to the Joint Session of Parliament (Article 87), Republic Day Eve broadcasts, and understand the constitutional significance of the 'Motion of Thanks'." date: 2026-01-13 author: Resources Desk | Sansad Online tags: [President of India, Joint Session Address, Republic Day Speech, Article 87, Motion of Thanks, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Droupadi Murmu]

🎙️ 24x7 Resource: Presidential Addresses Archive

The Head of State Hub

Access the formal voice of the Indian Republic.

🏛️ CONSTITUTIONAL TRUTH: When the President speaks to the Parliament, they use the phrase "My Government." This is because, under the Constitution, the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The speech is technically written by the Government, but the dignity is provided by the President.

Introduction: The Voice of the Republic

(Why the President's Speech is a Policy Document)

In the American system, the President gives the "State of the Union" address. In India, we have something similar, but with a twist.

The President of India addresses the Parliament twice:

  1. At the start of the first session after a General Election.
  2. At the start of the first session of each year (usually the Budget Session in January/February).

This speech (mandated by Article 87) is not a personal opinion. It is the Government's Vision Statement. It lists the achievements of the past year ("My Government distributed 5kg grain...") and the legislative agenda for the coming year ("My Government will introduce the Digital India Bill...").

For a UPSC aspirant or policy analyst, this speech is the most authentic summary of government policy. It is more comprehensive than the Budget Speech because it covers Foreign Policy, Defence, and Culture, not just finances.

This "24x7 Resource Page" guides you to the archives of these speeches, from Dr. Rajendra Prasad to Droupadi Murmu, and explains the parliamentary battle that follows—the "Motion of Thanks."

🔍 Types of Addresses: Know the Difference

The President speaks on multiple occasions. Don't confuse them.

1. The Joint Session Address (Article 87)

  • Venue: The Central Hall (Old Parliament) or the New Lok Sabha Chamber.
  • Audience: Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs sitting together.
  • Content: Government Policy (Drafted by the Cabinet).
  • Tone: Formal, administrative.

2. The Republic Day Eve Address (January 25)

  • Venue: Broadcast from Rashtrapati Bhavan (TV/Radio).
  • Audience: The Citizens of India.
  • Content: Personal reflections on democracy, values, and ethics.
  • Tone: Philosophical, inspirational. Note: This speech often reflects the President's personal intellect more than the Joint Session address.

3. Farewell Address

  • Venue: Central Hall.
  • Occasion: Given days before the President retires.
  • Significance: Often contains candid advice to politicians. (e.g., President Pranab Mukherjee's warning against "Ordinance Raj").

📜 The "Motion of Thanks": The First Battle

The President's Address is not just a speech; it is a Motion.

  • The Process: After the President leaves, a ruling party MP moves a motion: "That the Members of the Lok Sabha assembled in this Session are deeply grateful to the President..."
  • The Debate: The Parliament then debates this motion for 3-4 days. This is the "Motion of Thanks Debate."
  • The Attack: The Opposition moves "Amendments" to the motion.
    • Example: "I move that the Motion be amended to add: '...but regret that the Address fails to mention the rising unemployment.'"
  • The Reply: The Prime Minister replies to the debate.
  • The Vote: The motion must be passed. If the Motion of Thanks is defeated in the Lok Sabha, it is considered a Defeat of the Government, and the Government may have to resign. (This has never happened in India).

🏛️ How to Access the Archives

1. The President's Secretariat Website

  • Go to: presidentofindia.nic.in -> "Speeches".
  • Filter: You can filter by "Former Presidents."
  • Read: The speeches of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam are particularly popular for their focus on "Vision 2020" and youth.
  • Go to: loksabha.nic.in.
  • Search: "President's Address."
  • Value: This gives you the speech plus the debate that followed. You can read how the Opposition Leader criticized the speech in 1990 or 2014.

🎓 3 Historic Addresses to Read

1. The First Address (Dr. Rajendra Prasad, 1952)

  • Context: The first elected Parliament of India.
  • Theme: Building the institutions of a new republic. It set the precedent that the President would read the speech prepared by the Cabinet, establishing the supremacy of the elected government.

2. The "Golden Jubilee" Address (K.R. Narayanan, 2002)

  • Context: 50 years of the Republic.
  • Significance: President Narayanan was known as a "Working President." His speeches often subtly highlighted the gaps in social justice, reminding the government of its duties towards the marginalized.

3. The "New Parliament" Address (Droupadi Murmu, 2024)

  • Context: The first Joint Session in the new Parliament building.
  • Theme: "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) and the shedding of colonial mindset (Sengol installation).

Your presidential library:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can the President refuse to read a part of the speech?

Conventionally, No. The President is bound to read the text approved by the Cabinet.

  • Exceptions: In rare cases (like Governors in states), there have been instances where they skipped a paragraph they strongly disagreed with, but at the Federal level (President), this is almost unprecedented to maintain constitutional harmony.

Q2. Does the President write the Republic Day speech?

Mostly, Yes. While inputs are taken from the government to ensure no policy contradiction, the Republic Day Eve speech (Jan 25) usually carries the President's personal stamp, style, and concerns (e.g., worries about climate change or student pressure).

Q3. What happens if the Motion of Thanks is amended in Rajya Sabha?

Since the government may not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition can pass an amendment (embarrassing the government).

  • Precedent: This happened in 2016 (on black money/corruption) and earlier in 2001 and 2015.
  • Consequence: It is an embarrassment, but the government does not fall because the Rajya Sabha cannot vote out the Ministry. The amended address is sent to the President, and life goes on.

Q4. Why does the President arrive in a buggy/procession?

It is a ceremonial tradition. The President arrives from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Parliament House in a cavalcade (or the historic horse-drawn buggy), escorted by the President's Bodyguard (PBG) on horseback. He/She is received by the Presiding Officers (Speaker/Chairman) at the "Gaj Dwar" (Elephant Gate).

Q5. Is the speech available in regional languages?

The President usually reads the speech in Hindi or English (or a mix). Simultaneous interpretation is available in regional languages for MPs wearing headphones. The text is later published in all scheduled languages.

Bookmark this page. When the President speaks, the nation listens, but the Parliament debates.