January 22, 2026

Watch President of India Live: Ceremonies, Address to Parliament & Rashtrapati Bhavan Tours

🔴 Watch Live: President of India (Rashtrapati Bhavan)

The Live Stream Hub

Access the official broadcast of the First Citizen of India and events from the President's Estate.

[PLACEHOLDER FOR YOUTUBE EMBED - PRESIDENT OF INDIA OFFICIAL CHANNEL]

🔴 LIVE STATUS: Event-BasedNext Major Event: Republic Day "At Home" Reception (January 26) & Address to Joint Session of Parliament (January 28, 2026).Regular Broadcasts: Swearing-in of Ministers, Padma Award ceremonies, and Credential presentations by foreign ambassadors.Key Feature: The grandeur of the Durbar Hall and the Ashoka Hall.

Introduction: The Symbol of the Republic

(Who is the President of India?)

When you watch a live stream from Rashtrapati Bhavan, you are witnessing the highest level of Indian state protocol. The President of India is not just the Head of State; they are the "First Citizen" and the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

Under Article 52 of the Constitution, the President is the symbol of the nation's unity, integrity, and solidarity. While the Prime Minister holds the real political power (Head of Government), the President holds the dignified constitutional power. No bill becomes law without their signature. No war is declared without their name.

For the viewer, this channel offers a glimpse into the ceremonial heart of India. Whether it is the somber dignity of a Chief Justice being sworn in or the cultural vibrancy of the Padma Awards where grassroots heroes are honored, the President's channel captures the essence of the Indian State.

This guide will take you behind the sandstone walls of Raisina Hill. We will decode the President's constitutional "Veto" powers, explain how they are elected (it's not by your direct vote!), and guide you on how to visit the famous Mughal Gardens (now Amrit Udyan).

📅 The Ceremonial Calendar: What to Watch & When

The President's schedule is governed by rigid protocol. Here are the key annual events you should tune in for:

1. The Address to the Joint Session (Start of Budget Session)

  • When: Usually late January / early February (Jan 28 in 2026).
  • The Event: The President travels from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Parliament House in a ceremonial cavalcade. They address both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs together in the Central Hall (or the new Parliament's Lok Sabha chamber).
  • Significance: This speech is actually written by the Government. It outlines the government's achievements of the past year and the roadmap for the next. It is the "State of the Union" equivalent.

2. The Padma Awards (Civil Investiture Ceremony)

  • When: March / April.
  • The Event: One of the most emotional and inspiring watches. The President confers the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards.
  • Why watch: To see the "Unsung Heroes"—a farmer from Karnataka or a midwife from Rajasthan—walking on the red carpet of the Durbar Hall to receive recognition from the Head of State.

3. Swearing-in Ceremonies

  • When: Whenever a new Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, Chief Justice of India, or CVC is appointed.
  • The Ritual: The official administering of the "Oath of Office and Secrecy."

4. The "At Home" Receptions

  • When: Republic Day (Jan 26) and Independence Day (Aug 15).
  • The Event: A garden party at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by the PM, Ministers, Diplomats, and specialized guests. It is a rare chance to see the elite of Delhi mingling in an informal setting.

5. Change of Guard Ceremony

  • When: Every Saturday (10 AM - 12 PM approx).
  • The Event: A military tradition where the President's Bodyguard (PBG)—the oldest regiment of the Indian Army—hands over charge to a new set of troops. It is a spectacle of equestrian excellence and military discipline.

🏛️ Inside Rashtrapati Bhavan: A Virtual Tour

Built by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, this was formerly the Viceroy's House. It is one of the largest presidential residences in the world.

1. The Durbar Hall

  • The Look: A massive dome with a 2-ton chandelier. A 5th-century Buddha statue stands behind the President's chair.
  • Use: This is where the Swearing-in ceremonies and Defence Investiture Ceremonies (Param Vir Chakra, etc.) take place. It is directly under the main dome.

2. The Ashoka Hall

  • The Look: Originally a ballroom, it has a painted ceiling and wooden dance floors.
  • Use: Used for presentation of credentials by foreign ambassadors.

3. Amrit Udyan (Formerly Mughal Gardens)

  • The Look: 15 acres of manicured perfection. Famous for its tulips, 159 varieties of roses, and musical fountains.
  • Visiting: It opens to the public once a year during "Udyan Utsav" (usually February-March). Tickets must be booked online in advance on the official website.

4. The Museum

There is a dedicated high-tech museum within the complex that showcases gifts received by Presidents, the vintage Mercedes cars used, and a replica of the Study Room.

⚡ Constitutional Powers: Rubber Stamp or Moral Compass?

Critics often call the President a "Rubber Stamp," but the Constitution grants them significant discretionary powers.

1. The Veto Power (Article 111)

When a bill is sent to the President, they have three options:

  • Give Assent: The bill becomes an Act.
  • Withhold Assent: (Absolute Veto) The bill dies. (Rarely used).
  • Return for Reconsideration: (Suspensive Veto) They can send the bill back to Parliament with suggestions.
    • The Catch: If Parliament passes the bill again (with or without changes), the President must sign it.
  • Pocket Veto: The Constitution does not specify a time limit for signing. A President can simply keep the bill on their desk indefinitely (used by Zail Singh on the Post Office Bill).

2. The Pardoning Power (Article 72)

The President has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment.

  • Death Penalty: This is the last resort for a death row convict. If the Supreme Court rejects the appeal, the convict can file a "Mercy Petition" to the President.
  • Procedure: The President acts on the advice of the Home Ministry, not their own personal feelings.

3. Emergency Powers

  • National Emergency (Article 352): War or armed rebellion.
  • President's Rule (Article 356): Breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State. The State Government is dismissed, and the President (via the Governor) takes over.
  • Financial Emergency (Article 360): Threat to financial stability. (Never used so far).

🗳️ The Election Process: The "Electoral College"

You cannot vote for the President. The election is Indirect.

Who Votes? (The Electoral College)

  1. Elected MPs of Lok Sabha.
  2. Elected MPs of Rajya Sabha.
  3. Elected MLAs of all State Legislative Assemblies (including Delhi and Puducherry).
  • Excluded: Nominated members do not vote.

The Value of a Vote:

  • Not all votes are equal.
  • MLA's Vote: Depends on the population of their state. An MLA from Uttar Pradesh has a much higher vote value (208) than an MLA from Sikkim (7).
  • MP's Vote: The total value of all MLA votes is divided by the number of MPs to ensure parity between the States and the Center.
  • System: Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote.

📜 List of Presidents of India (Chronological)

A quick reference for students:

  1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950–1962) - The only one to serve two terms.
  2. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962–1967)
  3. Dr. Zakir Husain (1967–1969) - Died in office.
  4. V.V. Giri (1969–1974)
  5. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974–1977) - Signed the Emergency.
  6. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977–1982) - Elected unopposed.
  7. Giani Zail Singh (1982–1987)
  8. R. Venkataraman (1987–1992)
  9. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992–1997)
  10. K.R. Narayanan (1997–2002) - First Dalit President.
  11. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002–2007) - The "People's President" / Scientist.
  12. Pratibha Patil (2007–2012) - First Woman President.
  13. Pranab Mukherjee (2012–2017)
  14. Ram Nath Kovind (2017–2022)
  15. Droupadi Murmu (2022–Present) - First Tribal President.

To visit or learn more, use these official portals:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the salary of the President?

As of the latest revision, the President draws a salary of ₹5 Lakh per month. However, this is taxable. Upon retirement, they receive a pension, free accommodation, and staff allowances.

Q2. Can the President be removed?

Yes. The process is called Impeachment (Article 61).

  • Grounds: "Violation of the Constitution."
  • Process: A motion must be passed by a 2/3rds majority in both Houses of Parliament independently.
  • History: No Indian President has ever been impeached.

Q3. Who acts as President if the post is vacant?

If the President dies, resigns, or is removed:

  1. The Vice President acts as President.
  2. If the VP is also unavailable, the Chief Justice of India acts as President. (This happened in 1969 when Justice M. Hidayatullah acted as President).

Q4. Does the President live in the whole palace?

No. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has 340 rooms. The President and their family occupy a small private wing. The rest of the building is used for guest wings (for visiting Heads of State), offices, and ceremonial halls.

Q5. What is the "President's Bodyguard" (PBG)?

The PBG is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army. It is an elite household cavalry regiment that protects the President.

  • Selection: Soldiers must be at least 6 feet tall.
  • Uniform: They wear distinctive red coats and golden sashes.
  • Role: They escort the President on ceremonial occasions and stand guard at official functions.

Stay tuned to Sansad Online for coverage of the next Address to the Joint Session. Witness the dignity of the Indian Republic live.