President Donald Trump has become the third president in US history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. In this context discuss the procedure for impeachment of the President in India.

The US Constitution states that the President can be removed on grounds of treason, bribery, high crimes or misdemeanour. On the other hand, the President in India can be removed only in case of the violation of the constitution. The meaning of the phrase ‘violation of the constitution’ has not been mentioned.

Procedure for Impeachment

Article 61 of the constitution provides for the Impeachment of the President of India. The President can be removed from office by impeachment for violation of the Constitution. The charges of impeachment can be initiated in either house of the Parliament. The charges need to be signed by 1/4th of the members of the House and a 14 day notice should be given to the President. After the impeachment resolution is passed by a majority of the two-thirds of the majority of that House, it is sent to the other to investigate upon the charges.

If the other house also passes the resolution for impeachment by a majority of two-thirds of the total membership of that House, the President then stands impeached from his office from the date on which the resolution has been passed.

Topics: GS-II: Parliament and State Legislatures in India