Who elects the President of India? The Electoral College explained
India’s President is elected by an Electoral College that includes elected MPs and elected members of state legislative assemblies, including Delhi and Puducherry; nominated members do not vote.
The President of India is elected indirectly by an Electoral College. It includes elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members are not part of the voting college.
What the Electoral College includes
The constitutional process uses an Electoral College rather than a direct nationwide popular vote. The value of votes is calculated under the constitutional scheme, so the number of people voting and the value of their votes are not identical concepts.
When revising for an exam, remember the distinction between elected and nominated members. The relevant constitutional provisions and the Election Commission’s explanatory material are the safest sources for the exact rules.
Common exam trap
Do not say that every MP, every legislator or every member of a state legislature votes. The constitutional description specifies elected members for the Electoral College, and the system has separate rules for vote value and counting.
This is static civics knowledge. It should be kept separate from current-affairs reporting about a particular election date or candidate.
Editorial note
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Frequently asked questions
Do nominated members of Parliament vote in the presidential election?
No. The Electoral College includes elected MPs and the specified elected legislative-assembly members.